…………………………………………………………. How has the transition back to bartending been after so many years working for Bacardi? Honestly I was looking forward to being behind the stick making cocktails and hosting guests again. I did lots of guest bartending during my time in Bacardi but now I’ll be bartending every Tuesday supporting my new bar team at 28 Hongkong Street. I can tell…

Guettat will replace Pierre Coppéré who has been appointed executive vice-president in charge of growth initiatives. Coppéré’s role has been described as “an 18-month mission”, in which he will “oversee the implementation of initiatives designed to accelerate top line growth.” He will be based in Hong Kong from July. Chairman and CEO of Pernod, César Giron, will replace Guettat as CEO of MMPJ and be…

The company says the opening marks completion of the first phase of the expansion project, which will see AB double its brewing capacity and allow it to continue to grow production and sales of its flagship local brand, Club Premium Lager, and the other brands in its portfolio. SABMiller Africa managing director Mark Bowman said: “We have made significant investments in our West African operations…

The privately-owned Germany company said total case sales fell to 87.1 million 700ml bottles, compared to 92.2m in 2013. Despite an increase in distribution to 108 countries, Jägermeister said the “significant decrease” in US sales was due to “extremely aggressive” pricing by competitors and changing consumer trends, which resulted in lower sales and stock adjustments. In its domestic market the company says sales remain “high…

Midleton Dair Ghaelach is the result of a six-year exploration by the Midleton Masters into using native oak to mature Irish whiskey. Billy Leighton, master blender at the Midleton Distillery, said: “The process of maturing in native oak has enabled us to showcase our Single Pot Still Irish whiskey style in a new and innovative way. The casks impart much more generous toasted wood, vanilla…

The innovation – created in collaboration with printed electronics and smart systems developer, Thin Film Electronics ASA and Diageo Technology Ventures – will allow Diageo to send personalised communications to customers who read the printed sensor tags via their smart phones. The technology also enables Diageo to track bottle movements across the supply chain, in-store and to the point of consumption, with the tags remaining…

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. FOR THE NTH TIME IN ITS 300-YEAR ROLLER-COASTER HISTORY THE COGNAC TRADE IS EXPERIENCING A STOMACH-CHURNING DOWN-DRAUGHT, ALMOST ENTIRELY DUE TO A SLUMP IN SALES TO CHINA. In the previous decade the country had witnessed the most extraordinary transformation in cognac’s long history. When Mao died fewer than 40 years ago a mere 350 bottles of cognac were…

Rockett has spent the last 10 years as marketing director of Gonzalez Byass UK, the commercial arm of the Spanish wine company set up in 2004. Warren Scott, Quintessential Brands director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jeremy Rockett to Marblehead and the Quintessential Brands Group. “He brings a wealth of management experience to the Group and his particular expertise working with the prestige on-trade fits…

Tell us a little about the history of the Tel Aviv drinking culture. Tel Aviv has a really young drinking culture – all the culinary scene really started about 15 years ago. Before that there was nothing, it was literally a desert of restaurants and bars. But over the past 15 years it has changed drastically and now there is a very rich…

Think Gin – hosted in partnership with Drinks International’s sister publication Off Licence News – will feature a number of bespoke workshops and debates for the on-and off-trade. A debate hosted by The World’s 50 Best Bars editor, Hamish Smith will discuss the trends and future prospects in gin with confirmed panelists Anistatia Miller, Jared Brown, Joel Harrison, Tom Warner, Joey Medrington and Tristan Stephenson.