The lemon and lime variant is a permanent addition to the Malibu line and will be released in the US during May, ahead of a roll-out to Europe and Asia in time for the summer.  In the US it will be available in 1.75L, 1L, 75cl and 5cl sizes and will carry a suggested retail price of $12.99 per 75cl. Lisa McCann, brand director of…

A rebirth of the now defunct Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire appellation, AOC Coteaux Bourguignon is a new entry-point Burgundy that can be sourced from anywhere in the Grande Bourgogne region, from Auxerrois in the north, where Chablis is produced, to the southern tip of Beaujolais. Beaujolais is likely to contribute much of the volume to the appellation, particularly benefiting producers in the sizable but less marketable…

Smith has over 15 years of experience in the UK and Barbados drinks industries, including bartending stints at Brompton Brands’ London bars Mahiki and Brompton Club. Smith said: “My role is to help build the Mount Gay Rum brand, maximise distribution across channels – especially in the on trade – and increase rate of sale. “I am really looking forward to working on the Mount…

The Hollywood star-backed brand – which will make its UK debut imminently, once a distribution partner has been finalised – sold more than 50,000 cases in New York and California during its first year of sales. It is hoped the brand will then be launched to other “selected” international markets.  Produced at the Fagema Distillery in Sorrento, Italy from organic lemons, sugar and grain alcohol, the…

The Düsseldorf-based show, which ran from March 4-6, offered visitors a chance to meet 3,830 wine and spirits exhibitors from 50 counties around the world. Attendance numbers for 2012 bettered those of the 2011 event, when 3,635 exhibitors and 39,034 visitors were present. According to Messe Düsseldorf, there was particular growth in the number of exhibitors from France, Argentina, Australia and China. Australian producer Neil…

In a seminar entitled ‘Five things you need to know about doing business in China, Japan and South Korea’ held at ProWein in Düsseldorf, Germany, the strategy consultancy attributed the Chinese wine market’s CAGR (compound annual growth rate during 2006-2010) of 25% largely to the culture of gifting between employees and from business to business. The celebrations of New Year, Chinese New…

The English vodka and gin distillery’s range will be shown for the first time outside of UK travel retail when it launches under World of Patria’s stable at IAADFS in Orlando, US. The line includes Chase English Potato Vodka, Chase Marmalade Vodka, William’s Chase Gin – made from apples – and vodka-based fruit liqueurs including Raspberry, Blackcurrant, White Peach, Rhubarb and Elderflower. Kevin Baker, director…

Scapa Edition – which is targeted at the Korean market – and Glenburgie Edition– a release for travel retail – are the first two expressions of the series and will be followed by Miltonduff and Glentauchers editions. The whiskies are intended to highlight the character and influence of each of the scotch blend’s major contributing distilleries. Scapa and Glenburgie carry abvs of 43% and are…

The list – compiled by brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance – makes its return in the March issue of Drinks International. Completing the top five were Bacardi, Hennessy, Smirnoff, and Chivas Regal. Brand Finance created the list using a complex matrix of calculations based on financial results, future forecasts, brand strength and ‘royalty relief’. David Haigh, chief executive of Brand Finance, said: “We have been surprised…

The latest City Series limited edition was unveiled at a Pernod Ricard press briefing in London today, ahead of its March 1 UK release. The City Series already comprises Miami, San Franciso, Brooklyn, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Boston, Vancouver, Rio, Stockholm and Bejing. The liquid in the bottle is standard Absolut vodka while the packaging was designed in collaboration with Jamie Hewlett, the creative force…