In the US Crabbie’s will be imported through St Killian Importing Company, part of the L Knife Group.   Initially the brand will be launched in New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Washington DC, California, Illinois, Texas, Kentucky, Ohio and Wisconsin, prior to a nationwide roll out later in the year. In Canada distribution will be controlled by Bruce Ashley Group. Crabbie’s will be available in…

Effective June 1, the deal sees Campari America add the regional malt brand to its existing stable of Morrison Bowmore titles, which comprises Bowmore, Glen Garioch and Auchentoshan. Campari America replaces White Rock Distilleries as US distributor for the McClelland’s range, which includes expressions from the Highlands, Islay, the Lowlands and Speyside. Gerry Ruvo, chairman and CEO of Campari America said: “This broad selection allows Campari…

The organic product is designed to be used in cocktails and long drinks and, according to Funkin, “contains 40% fewer calories per serve than standard sugar syrup and is a low GI [glycemic index] sweetener” Two other new flavours, Mint and Vanilla, have also been added to the existing syrup range, which includes Grenadine, Passion Fruit and Sugar Cane. Agave Nectar comes in 36cl bottles…

Malibu Caribbean Cosmo Light, which has an abv of 12.5%, is a blend of Malibu Coconut, lime, orange and cranberry. The 1.75 litre pouch launches to the US market in July and is priced at $19.99. McCann, brand director of Malibu at Pernod Ricard USA, said: “With consumers continuing to demand low-calorie prepared drinks, we wanted to make sure that we created a light product…

Mikheil Saakashvili, president of Georgia, said today in Tbilisi: “It is very important that Georgian wine is present in New York, Los Angeles, Europe…In Europe it is a passport of European identity and Christian culture.” According to reports by the Georgian wine website news.hvino.com, a fortnight ago Saakashvili proposed the creation of a vineyard close to Tbilisi International Airport. He said: “I asked the municipality to…

The Herefordshire-based cider company’s head of export, Peter Baldwin said that according to Mintel data (December 2011), 47% of people drink cider, while 46% drink lager. On the rise of the category Baldwin said: “I think the cider category will continue on a steady incline. There are many factors contributing to this, such as the fact that cider has become less and less gender specific.

How to get there ExCeL is located in the east of London, with two dedicated stations: Custom House and Prince Regent on the Docklands Light Railway. It has parking for 3,000 cars and is 10 minutes from London City Airport where free shuttle buses will operate. The Jubilee line is recommended as the quickest route to ExCeL London; alight…

The honey vodka brand rose 136.8% from 1.9 million 9-litre cases in 2010 to 4.5 million cases last year. Krupnik now sits tenth in the Euromonitor-compiled, Drinks International-published, list of the world’s million-case spirit brands, ahead of Grey Goose, Svedka, Skyy, Stolichnaya, Finlandia, Sobieski and Russian Standard. Coupled with a 16% year-on-year increase for scotch brand William Peel, Krupnik helped to mitigate the effects of…

Growth of 109.4% was achieved during a single year taking the Alliance Global Group brand from 9.6 million 9-litre cases in 2010 to 20.10 million cases in 2011 (source: The Millionaires Club 2012). Emperador’s 2011 performance saw it leap over the previous category leader, the India-based United Spirits’ brand, McDowell’s, which sold 11.72 million cases in 2011 (source: The Millionaires Club 2012). While the brand’s volume…

The UK exclusive follows Stella Artois Cidre’s arrival in April last year, a line extension which made £50m in sales during its first year in the market. The pears used in the cider’s “Belgian recipe” are sourced “from a variety of regions”, while pressing, fermentation and bottling takes place in Belgium. Stella Artois Cidre Pear is described as having a “crisp, sophisticated and refreshing taste”,…