As first reported in DI‘s sister publication Drinks Retailing, Emma Fox highlighted the impact of global market conditions, high inflation, and increasing national insurance (NI) contributions as factors contributing to the company’s decision. “Like many businesses, we are having to make some very difficult but necessary decisions in the face of extremely challenging global market conditions, as well as significant cost pressures, high inflation…

EVERYONE HAS A SAMBUCA STORY. Some of us even have a sambuca scar. From singed eyebrows in the student bar to shots at a birthday celebration, sambuca has fuelled dares, charged toasts and provided the start – as well as the finish – to many great nights out. But in today’s ever-more sophisticated drinking climate, is that enough?  From dedicated cocktail competitions, interest in…

All bets are off when it comes to sugar syrups. Last year saw the creation and roaring success of paper syrup. Yes, paper. It was the invention of Paris bar Little Red Door’s Remy Savage.  For his entry into the Bombay Sapphire World’s Most Imaginative Bartender competition, Savage created a syrup inspired by Bombay’s new distillery, an old paper mill.  Savage…

The world of premium bottled water is a lucrative, branded one. Bottles come in all shapes and sizes in an attempt to entice drinkers – tall and clear, green, glass, blue – because inside, it all looks the same. Many say it tastes the same, too, but here’s the thing: water is not clear.  From a business perspective, global consumption of carbonated…

Gin’s getting serious. For a while it was the preserve of the pinky-ringed business boys and their once-a-week housewives. Then it was embraced by the bar community. And now? Well now it’s everywhere. ‘Flavoured’ gins are popping up all over the place and will no doubt come and go in much the same way as flavoured vodka trends. But the trend for stronger…

If 0.3% was the growth registered on any other category, you might not be that concerned, but when it is registered on the global vodka market, it could be considered cause for panic. According to a report from IWSR, the market grew to 493.9 million nine-litre cases in 2012, only 0.3% up on 2011. Before you start off-loading shares, that’s the number for the entire…

Luhrmann created the spiced-orange flavoured vodka alongside Absolut in Ahus, Sweden. Julien Hemard, managing director at Pernod Ricard Australia said: “We are extremely pleased and proud to be collaborating with one of the great visionary minds of the contemporary world in Baz to realise the first Australian Absolut limited edition. Baz is one of the world’s renowned inspirations in creativity. Working with Absolut, Baz has…

Diageo’s rum ad received two complaints – one relating to alcohol and social success, which was not upheld, and another around linking alcohol with daring, toughness and aggressive behaviour, which was upheld. The Captain Morgan ad included a series of scenes based on the adventurous lifestyle of a buccaneer. In one shot, the buccaneer threw his hat into the air, which landed on a table…

The taller bottle features “a more sophisticated label” and glass lettering embossed onto the bottle. Other new elements to the design include a revised bottle shape, a new lid structure and a bottom-weighted glass base to “further reinforce its appeal as a premium rum of the highest quality”. Nick Blacknell, international marketing director for Havana Club International, said: “A rum of such outstanding quality and…