Just 20 years ago it would have been unthinkable for a Scotch whisky producer to launch a single malt without an age statement – but now faced with the on-going shortage of aging whisky stocks, and a fervent desire to manage these better, more and more line extensions are being introduced without. At a roundtable gathering (see p6) the trend was discussed between leading producers…

Last month was definately a month when brown spirits were at the fore – perhaps more proof that summer has yet to arrive in the UK, but that’s another matter. The two spirits I refer to are Cognac and Japanese whisky – Rémy Martin and Nikka to be precise, and both parties are using the cocktail as a means to broaden usage and to…

The brand closed the year on 1.3 million cases and as such is now a fully fledged member of The Millionaires’ Club – and the first single malt to make the grade. Huge congratulations must go to William Grant, for it’s a feat which is thoroughly deserved and one that is down to a dedicated and single-minded approach – pun totally intended – which…

Aside from the record entry this undertaking also highlighted the immense diversity that now abounds in the gin firmament. And I don’t just mean in terms of bad to good – though I have to say the first gin of the day was extremely unpleasant, but no names, no pack-drill and, since the tasting was blind, I only know it as number one, which…

As a woman and a serious spirits drinker, I confess to a sinking feeling when marketing folk or press releases claim that this or that brand has been specially fashioned to appeal to the “female drinker”. So the Cognac Bureau’s recent international summit looking at the feminine aspects of the eau de vie has really got me going – well thinking at least. Thinking, that…