Wine and Communications professional Kirsty Woodgate has been named the 2023 Spanish Wine Master UK after the grand final of the competition from the Spanish Wine Academy by Rioja’s Ramón Bilbao.

Rioja’s Ramón Bilbao is introducing a professional competition to find its ‘Spanish Wine Master’, as the brand continues on its mission to educate the trade about Spanish wine.

Loch Lomond Group has launched Noble Rebel, a new blended malt Scotch whisky brand, available in three distinct expressions, Orchard Outburst, Smoke Symphony and Hazelnut Harmony.

Woodford Reserve has appointed Elizabeth McCall as master distiller, the third in the bourbon brand’s 26-year history, succeeding Chris Morris, who will assume the role of master distiller emeritus.

Beefeater has announced that Desmond Payne MBE will be the brand’s first-ever master distiller emeritus in January 2023.

Scarfes Bar at The Rosewood assistant head bartender, Arturo Burzio has been crowned 2022 elit Vodka’s Martini Master following the global final held in Athens.

The Balvenie has appointed Kelsey McKechnie as malt master, an announcement that comes as The Balvenie Distillery celebrates David C Stewart MBE’s 60th anniversary with the release of The Balvenie Sixty.

Speyside distillery, The Balvenie, has announced the launch of its oldest and rarest whisky ever, The Balvenie Sixty, a single cask bottling from 1962.

Spirits company Edrington, has announced the appointment of Craig Johnstone as master blender for The Famous Grouse.

Black Tot rum’s annual celebration is to return this year with a month-long programme of festivities and the release of the Black Tot Master Blender’s Reserve.

Johnnie Walker has launched Masters of Flavour, the third and final whisky in the Johnnie Walker Masters series.

Bushmills has appointed Alex Thomas as master blender at The Old Bushmills Distillery working across the entire portfolio and product development.

Black Tot Rum has announced the launched of its second annual limited edition expression Master Blender’s Reserve which will be available from Black Tot Day, 31 July.

Online retailer Master of Malt has unveiled three key trends that could define the spirits industry during the next year.

The Last Drop has made its first foray into spirits creation with the release of its 50 Year Old Signature Blended Scotch Whisky.

Deirdre O’Carroll has been appointed blender at Midleton Distillery in Cork nearly a decade after joining the Pernod Ricard subsidary.

Michter’s has released its US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye 2020 in the UK.

Online retailer Master of Malt has unveiled its first own-label spirits range comprising a gin, vodka, rum and blended Scotch.

Online retailer Master of Malt aims to spread some much-needed festive cheer by relaunching its popular #WhiskySanta promotion.

Leading bourbon producer Jim Beam has given the beleaguered travel retail sector a vote of confidence by launching an exclusive expression into the channel.

Irish Distillers has unveiled the final whiskey created by outgoing master distiller Brian Nation during his final days in the role.

Jack Daniel’s has announced that Chris Fletcher will take over from the outgoing Jeff Arnett as master distiller of the Tennessee whiskey brand.

Jack Daniel’s master distiller Jeff Arnett is stepping down after a 20-year career at the world-famous American whiskey producer.

Colin Scott has retired from his role as the custodian master blender of Chivas Regal after enjoying an illustrious 47-year career in the Scotch whisky industry. Drinks International caught up with the esteemed blender on his final day at the office.

A craft spirits startup in Minnesota has secured the services of Irish Distillers’ master distiller Brian Nation.

Kevin O’Gorman will take over as master distiller at Jameson producer Irish Distillers after Brian Nation decided to move to a startup in the US.

Pilsner Urquell has awarded Paul Seagraves from Tweedies Bar in Grasmere, Cumbria with the title of UK Master Bartender 2012.

Michael Cox has been installed as the 518th Master of the Worshipful Company of Vintners for the forthcoming year.

The world’s first female master blender, Joy Spence, is a chemist, philanthropist and all-round spirited raconteur. Jaq Bayles meets the architect of Jamaica’s best-known rums

Chivas Brothers has launched two 17-year old Ballantine’s expressions under the new line, Signature Distillery Editions.

William Grant has launched a new expression of its Glenfiddich whisky brand: Glenfiddich Malt Master’s Edition.

Following a collaboration with whisky bloggers and journalists, Master of Malt has released St Isidore.

Drinks International is delighted to announce that Patience Gould, its former editor and a well known figure in the drinks industry, is returning to write a regular column.

Online spirits retailer Master of Malt has released Rumbullion, an “old-fashioned“ rum under its Professor Cornelius Ampleforth brand.

Jack Daniel's has crowned the UK champion of its Tennessee-based Birthday Cocktail Competition 2011.

Online spirits merchant Master of Malt has extended its line of yesteryear spirit-based expressions with the launch of Proprietary Barley Spirit Drink.

Czech lager brand Pilsner Urquell has anointed Dubliner Fearghus McCormack as its International Master Bartender 2011.

Stella Artois’ seven-month quest to find its “draught master” has begun with the launch of the Quality Draught Masters Programme.

Online whisky retailer Master of Malt has launched a 40-year old whisky liqueur.

Producers throughout the Cognac region have major concerns that early budbreak, caused by an unprecedented warm spell in early April, could result in severe crop damage if night-time temperatures fall to freezing in the next few weeks.

Whisky retailer Master of Malt has launched a liqueur made from single malt scotch whisky.

Slovakian spirits group Gas Familia has launched premium vodka Goral Master.

Chivas Brothers has launched a private tour and gin-making experience for its Plymouth gin brand.