AGENCY OF THE YEAR PHIPPS PR A very impressive entry from one of the UK wine trade’s leading and best-known PR agencies. Judge Rob Harrison, ex-Accolade Wines, of the RHH Group, asked: “Would I do business with them? Based on this entry – yes, I would.” BRAND EXPERIENCE CAMPAIGN GLEN SCOTIA GRAND TOUR FROM THE LOCH LOMOND GROUP It’s a long way to go…

The re-launch is said to be supported by a ‘multi-million pound investment and new refreshed new look’. The company says the trade launch will be supported by the brand’s most ambitious, integrated consumer marketing campaign to date, incorporating TV, digital and out-of-home, which will be revealed next month (April) and run throughout 2019. Carlsberg UK’s vice president marketing, Liam Newton admitted that the company had…

Managed by TFWA and hosted by Muscat Duty Free, the organisers say the 18th MEADFA conference will provide a learning and networking opportunity for those already operating in, or looking to do business in, one of duty free and travel retail’s most dynamic regions. There is a cocktail party on November 24 and the Muscat Duty Free will sponsor the gala dinner on November 25.

James Hocking Wine will specialise in boutique, family-owned wineries from California and other selected North American regions, and will sell to high end independent wine merchants, wine-focused restaurants and private clients. Hocking says he has sourced a selection of wineries, spanning affordable ‘by-the-glass’ price points through to top end wines, many of which are rarely seen outside of California. The portfolio will include an…

The new MWs are: Edouard Baijot MW (France), Nicholas Jackson MW (USA), Brendan Jansen MW (Australia), Jonas Röjerman MW (Sweden), Harriet Tindal MW (Ireland) and Jonas Tofterup MW (Spain). There are now 384 MWs in the world, based in 30 countries. The MW examination consists of three stages and culminates in the submission of a final research paper, an in-depth study on a…

Production of the Dublin Liberties Distillery’s whiskey portfolio – which includes its brands, The Dubliner and The Dublin Liberties – will now commence at the distillery under the supervision of former Bushmills master distiller, Darryl McNally. The single malt-only distillery boasts a world-class cocktail bar and a visitor experience, providing an addition to Dublin’s vibrant whiskey tourism scene, which saw over one million visitors to…

Distilled and initially aged at ID’s Midleton distillery in Cork, the designated 84 casks finish their maturation in what ID hails as ‘Dublin’s only live maturation house’ beneath the Jameson Bow Street visitor centre. It will be available from August 2019. It celebrates Jameson’s Dublin heritage by returning a part of the production process to its original home in Smithfield. After spending 18 years in…

Plans have been formally submitted to City of Edinburgh Council. Diageo says the Edinburgh attraction is intended to be the focal point of a £150m investment in scotch whisky tourism. The planning application, jointly submitted by Diageo and the building owner Parabola, sets out proposals for a seven floor visitor experience 146 Princes Street. The proposals would see the restoration of the building…

Supported by Event Scotland, part of Visit Scotland’s Events Directorate, ticket sales hit a high, beating last year’s total by more than £55,000, and making it another record-breaking launch for the festival. Whisky lovers snapped up the opportunity to gain behind-the-scenes access to distilleries that are not usually open to the public, as well showing demand for dining events, VIP experiences and connoisseur tours.

Morrisons was named Multiple Beer Retailer of the Year and Multiple Wine Retailer of the Year, and it then walked off with Supermarket of the Year. The Co-op was named Convenience Chain of the Year and Innovative Retailer of the Year following another solid 12 months of trading. Waitrose took home awards for Multiple Cider Retailer of the Year and Multiple Sparkling Wine and Champagne…