Belfast-based spirits business, Drinksology Kirker Greer (DKG), has appointed Mike Birch as non-executive director, strengthening its board as the group accelerates its international growth strategy.

Lucas Bols USA has selected Johnson Brothers, Martignetti Companies, Reyes Beverage Group and Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits as its new distribution partners throughout the US.

It’s a mixed picture for one of the broadest categories, as vodka faces category maturity and increased competition.

The deal sees Bardinet acquire a 40% stake in the business, which was founded in Pamplona in 2019 by brother and sister Belate and Iñaki Beunza. Under the agreement, Bardinet will support the brand through a nationwide distribution partnership in Spain, production and bottling aligned with the group’s industrial standards, and the deployment of its international network to accelerate global expansion. “Six years after launch, we…

Around 2018 American whiskey, specifically Kentucky bourbon, was thriving. Sales were on the rise and in response brands ramped up production to lay down as much stock as possible. This practice intensified during the pandemic when consumers used their spare cash to trade up, but a subsequent cost of living crisis, inflation and tariff wars have flipped the narrative. Suddenly there’s too much whiskey, not…

In the role, Holguin will lead cocktail education, cultural storytelling, trade engagement, and consumer programming nationwide for the brand.   Holguin has helped shape NYC’s bar scene through programmes at Bathtub Gin and Las’ Lap, while also serving as a celebrity mixologist for names including Swizz Beatz, Michael B Jordan, Olivia Culpo, and Dascha Polanco. …

Planned for completion in 2027, the new two-floor facility at Brown’s of Leith will house Woven’s full blending operations alongside blending rooms, a tasting space and lounge bar. Launching now as the first phase is Woven’s new blending rooms experience, where guests can blend and bottle their own whisky.  Pete Allison, co-founder and Whisky Maker at Woven, said: “For us, this step…