Once tipped to be “the next (Famous) Grouse”, Black Bottle was bought by Burn Stewart from Edrington in 2003. Burn Stewart itself was bought by South Africa’s Distell Group from the troubled CL World Brands group in April of this year for £160 million. Not only has Black Bottle been repackaging – returning it to a black bottle as originally envisaged by the Graham brothers,…

Redbreast 21 Year Old, which is 46% abv and non chill filtered, leads the range which comprises: 12 year Old, 12 year Old Cask Strength, and 15 Year Old. The brand is distilled from malted and unmalted barley and then aged in Oloroso sherry casks. Available in limited quantities the new expression is available in Ireland, France, UK, US, and Germany, priced at $180 (US$250,…

The original whiskey from Cork, where all of Irish Distillers’ brands are now made, has been repackaged and there are new flavour variants. The Pernod Ricard subsidiary says the new Paddy flavour variants have been created with a lighter flavour profile. Available initially in the US and France, each market will receive flavoured variants tailored to their different consumers. The US versions bear the names…

A tequila industry insider told DI that Diageo attempted to do a deal with Centinela – one of the last remaining large-scale producers not owned by an international group – upon severing relations with Jose Cuervo. Diageo distributed Jose Cuervo outside of Mexico and had been in negotiations to buy the company until December 2012; it continued to distribute the brand until July 2013. Since…

The top four goes to: Apple, Aston Martin, Rolex and Nike. Drinks category winners are: –       Sparkling wines – Dom Pérignon –       Spirits (aperitif/flavoured – Pimm’s –       Spirits (brandy) – Courvoisier –       Spirits (gin) – Bombay Sapphire –       Spirits (rum/cane) – Sailor Jerry –       Spirits (tequila) – Patrón –       Spirits (vodka) – Grey Goose –       Spirits (whisk(e)y – Jack Daniel’s –       Beer – Guinness and…

Talking to Drinks International in Jalisco, Mexico, Hernández said prices had risen “from 1 peso/kg to 5 peso/kg in the last two years” and the continued shortage will see “tequila become more expensive in the next 4-5 years”. He said: “100% agave tequila will be impacted because it requires more agave to produce but Mixto [commonly 51% agave] producers won’t be…

The whisky, which has spent a number of years extra-maturing in Manzanilla sherry casks – has already been selected by the public when three casks of whisky were put to a vote earlier this year. The Moet Hennessy owned brnad had asked enthusiasts to choose the name of the new single malt whisky. Suggestions were whittled down to a shortlist of three, translated into Gaelic…