Last month brought a partial reprieve for major Cognac suppliers after China wrapped up its long-running anti-dumping investigation, but the country’s vital duty free channel remains in limbo. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) concluded that EU-made brandy was being sold in China at artificially low prices and inflicting substantial harm on the country’s own domestic brandy sector. Consequently, it decided to impose five-year tariffs…

Gin is a category in transition. The widespread opportunities that defined it during the 2014-2019 gin boom are generally behind us, but the global picture hardly tells this story. Between 2023 and 2024, global gin volumes grew by 2% according to the latest IWSR figures. So far, so unremarkable. But dig a little deeper and the landscape quickly becomes fractured. Globally, there are pockets of…

Three separate class action lawsuits have now been filed against the North American arm of Diageo for allegedly marketing adulterated tequila as 100% agave. The lawsuits, filed in New York by two consumers and a sushi restaurant, a consumer in Florida, and a consumer in San Francisco, all suggest that the group’s Don Julio and Casamigos brands contain a portion of alcohol derived from sources…

Would you be able to give us some details on the global growth of the spirits business? The business environment for spirits can be challenging, we’ve seen better times. In 2024 it was the first time in 26 years, that spirit consumption in the US was down. There is an entire generation of people that have never seen a negative downturn and always…

In 1923 Suntory built the first commercial distillery in Japan, Yamazaki. For context, Scotch whisky production dates back to 1494 with its first commercial distilleries operating in the late 18th century. Not only is Japanese whisky much younger, it takes a lot of inspiration from Scotland. Martyn ‘Simo’ Simpson, owner of London’s Dram bar, points out: “The Japanese category was very much led by Scotland…

Italy’s anise-flavoured liqueur has been on the wrong side of drinking trends for some time, but there are some sambuca brands that continue to be successful, whether through innovation or by leaning into the category’s traditional side. On the whole, however, the picture isn’t particularly optimistic. “Sambuca has been in long-term decline since 2008,” says Humphrey Serjeantson, IWSR research director for western Europe, who adds…

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