Rusty Cerven, of the UK’s Connaught Bar, won the seventh annual Bols Around the World competition, beating 11 other finalists in a hard-fought competition at Amsterdam’s Escape nightclub.

Two single malt Indian whiskies were unveiled in London last night (May 14).

UK: Russian Standard vodka is to invest £7 million on promotional activity over the summer. 

Bacardi Global Travel Retail (BGTR) has launched a Highland single malt Scotch whisky collection exclusive to travel retailers, World Duty Free.

The Glenlivet, the world’s second best selling single malt Scotch whisky by volume behind Glenfiddich, has launched The Glenlivet Alpha (50%) ABV.

The global Gin sector is low price, low growth and extremely uninteresting, according to a top City of London analyst.

The next limited edition of Ardbeg is to be called Ardbog. The 52.1%abv whisky's name is inspired by the peat bogs of Islay.

Purity Vodka has appointed a US director of marketing. Meg Bruno is to be responsible for all of the company’s programmes and lead Purity’s marketing efforts in the US.

Nyetimber, probably England’s most well known sparkling wine producer, has announced its first export partnership with Tokyo-based distributor Enoteca.

Pernod Ricard has announced the launch of Beefeater Burrough’s Reserve, an oak-rested gin, meant for sipping. 

Diageo has launched its second new expression of Talisker whisky this year. Port Ruighe follows Storm, which was launched in March.

Diageo has launched Pimm’s Blackberry and Elderflower in the UK in time for the summer.

Jacob’s Creek, the Pernod Ricard-owned Australian wine brand, has launched a wine specifically designed to complement Japanese cuisine.

Jacob’s Creek, the Pernod Ricard-owned Australian wine brand, has launched a wine specifically designed to complement Japanese cuisine.

US: Beam has launched two new flavours under its Cruzan rum brand. Key Lime and Passion Fruit are described by the company as "trend forward". 

US: Beam has launched a "Rainbow Sherbet" flavour under its Pinnacle vodka brand. The company describes the taste as a "zesty, citrus taste of orange and sweet lime with a creamy raspberry".  

Pernod Ricard USA has announced the launch of the on-trade exclusive, Absolut Craft, a new three-product line of its Swedish vodka brand, co-created by bartender Nick Strangeway.

Funkin has launched a new cocktail mix, Funkin Brazilian, ahead of the 2014 Brazil World Cup.

Accolade Wines has announced the summer re-launch of Californian wine brand Geyser Peak to the UK and mainland Europe.

The Absolut Company will launch an aged vodka called Absolut Amber this summer in selected US airports.

Treasury Wine Estates has launched New Zealand wine brand Matua in the UK.

Campari America is to roll out a Mosacato-infused vodka in the US.

The generic body representing the famous Rioja win-producing region in north west Spain has announced that it is to spend  8 million Euros on promoting its wines this year.

Maison Lillet, the French apéritif producer, has announced that Thursday May 16 is National Apéritif Day in the UK.

Pernod Ricard Chivas Brothers has released a new limited edition expression of Beefeater, the world’s best-selling premium gin.

Diageo has unveiled a Smirnoff variant, Espresso Smirnoff.

Henri Krug, the former head of Champagne Krug, has died, it has been announced.

Royal Dragon vodka is the latest super premium vodka to launch in the UK

Young professional Americans in the Millennial generation are taking a real interest in wine, according to a leading US wine producer.

SABMiller is to launch a second cassava beer in Africa. Eagle will launch in Ghana and it will be brewed by SABMiller’s local subsidiary, Accra Brewery.

Bombay Sapphire has appointed Nik Fordham master distiller at its new distillery in Laverstoke, Hampshire, which is currently under construction.

Beam has announced the launch of the Jim Beam line extension, Jacob’s Ghost, its first foray into aged, white whiskey.

The Dalmore distillery has launched a new expression, The Dalmore Valour, for sale exclusively in travel retail.

Diageo North America has launched three new Sorbet-inspired Smirnoff flavours, aimed at women looking for ‘lighter’ spirits.

Pernod Ricard has launched Absolut Denim, the latest version of the Swedish vodka brand.

Pernod Ricard USA is looking to capitalise on the growth in crafted Canadian Whisky with the addition of Pike Creek to its portfolio.

An English sparkling wine made by the wife and co-founder of Direct Wines*, the world's largest independent wine merchant, has been voted the best English sparkling wine.

Bowmore the single malt Scotch whisky from Islay, has launched The Bowmore Water Program.

Diageo has repackaged its cream liqueur brand Baileys in a bottle with a “greater sense of femininity”.

Quintessentially Vodka, a collaboration between Quintessentially Spirits and distiller G&J Greenall, has rolled out to further markets in Asia and Europe, following its debut last year.

Beringer, the official wine of the PGA golf tour, has extended the sponsorship to include the UK.

E&J Gallo has launched a 5.5% abv wine named Gallo Family Vineyards Summer White to the UK, Netherlands and the Nordics, and rolled out distribution of Barefoot Pink Moscato and Apothic Red to the UK.

Glenmorangie has announced the launch of a whisky programme, which will involve its followers in the selection of a new limited edition whisky.

The House of Camus, which claims to be the last major, independent and family-owned Cognac house, celebrates its 150^th anniversary this year.

J&G Grant is to release a port cask-matured single malt scotch whisky under the Glenfarclas brand.

English sparkling wine, Nyetimber, will be served for the first time instead of Champagne at Paris Fashion Week.

Islay’s smallest distillery, Kilchoman, is to launch the 2013 edition of its Machir Bay expression.

The Teeling family have launched Teeling Whiskey - a small batch blend of malt and grain whiskey - in time for St Patrick’s Day.

Diageo has rolled out its line of Parrot Bay ‘freeze-and-squeeze’ cocktails to eight European countries.

Pernod Ricard USA has launched a low-calorie spiced rum version of Malibu.

Number One Drinks Company has bottled a limited edition 1964 Japanese whisky exclusively for Poland.

Diageo is to launch Talisker Storm – a “more intense and smoky” expression with “vibrant maritime notes”.

Buffalo Trace is to launch its 159 times distilled vodka in the UK. The product first launched in the US in November 2011.

Pernod Ricard will unveil a £35 bottle of Brancott Estate this month.

William Grant’s Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 5 has been voted the ‘Speyside Single Malt of the Year’.

Whyte & Mackay’s Jura distillery has added a new, limited-edition vintage expression – the 1977.

Berry Bros & Rudd's No.3 London Dry Gin is to support wild plant charity Plantlife to help boost its juniper conservation efforts.

Pernod Ricard’s Irish Distillers has built on its commitment to the single pot still Irish whiskey category with the release of ten new Midleton whiskeys.

Diageo claims it will “invigorate” the UK gin category with the March-launch of a new range of Gordon’s-based gin products.

Wemyss Malts has released a quartet of single cask, single malt Scotches.

Pernod Ricard is to open a visitor centre at its Beefeater distillery in Kennington, London.

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard has announced the retirement of Jameson Irish Whiskey master distiller Barry Crockett.

Beam’s ultra-premium positioned limited edition tequila, Casa Sauza XA, has a new look.

Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa (PIWOSA) is the name of a new grouping of like-minded, independent producers which aims to highlight the quality and diversity of South Africa’s premium wines has been launched to raise the profile of Premium South African wine.

Ron Jeremy, global porn star and face to Ron de Jeremy rum, is recovering in hospital following emergency aneurism surgery.

McGuigan Wines’ Neil McGuigan, one of Australia’s best known winemakers, has launched what he describes as “the ultimate wine and food matching service" with celebrity chef John Torode.

A new range of liners for Stelvin closures for wine bottles have been unveiled today (January 30).

Funkin has appointed Simon Little, formerly of Diageo, Percy Fox, SABMiller, Greene King and Gaymers, as its new sales director.

Nomacorc, the world’s largest producer of synthetic wine closures, has declared the production and shipment of its 100 millionth Select Series closure.

The makers of RTD brand Hooch are set to launch the product in international markets.

The Leeuwin Estate has launched a 2009 Margaret River Shiraz as part of its Art Series.

SPI Group, owner of the Stolichnaya Russian vodka brand, has made John Esposito president of its US operations.

Diageo has launched a 10 year old expression of Bulleit Bourbon in the US.

The Sazerac Company is to launch a vodka brand called Epic.

Campari International and Skyy vodka have launched a television advertising campaign in South Africa.