JW Filshill acquires Eldorado Tonic Wine
JW Filshill, the Glasgow-based wholesaler, has acquired Eldorado Tonic Wine as part of its purchase of KB Agencies for an undisclosed sum.
The Macallan announces new addition to Archival Series
The Macallan has revealed Folio 6, the latest instalment in the Scottish distillery’s Archival Series which takes inspiration from classic advertising campaigns of the brand
Ceder’s to launch digital campaign to promote responsible drinking
Non-alcoholic spirit brand Ceder's has announced a digital programme designed to promote health and wellness.
Amstel trains focus on China
Heineken has unveiled plans to make Amstel one of the bestselling beer brands in the Chinese market.
Kingfisher brewer adapts to new trading conditions
Kingfisher has launched a 6x33cl can format in time for the festive trading period as it bids to ramp up off-trade sales.
Martin Miller's Winterful celebrates the brand's 20th anniversary
Drinks International caught up with Martin Miller’s new brand ambassador to learn more about the brand’s new seasonal gin.
Hofmeister secures investment from beer industry veterans
The former managing directors of Greene King and Ei Group have invested in Hofmeister after growing excited by its potential to take the world beer category by storm.
Quintessential Brands launches festive marketing drive
Quintessential Brands is launching a marketing push across its leading gin brands in the run-up to the festive trading period.
Guinness launches alcohol-free variant
Guinness has become the latest major beer brand to launch an alcohol-free variant in a bid to capitalise upon growing consumer demand for the category.
Templeton Rye ramps up focus on innovation
Templeton Rye has released a limited-edition Caribbean Rum Cask Finish expression into the domestic and export markets.
Jameson launches Grow Your Own Cocktail challenge
Bartenders can win cash prizes by entering the Grow Your Own Cocktail web challenge launched by Irish whiskey brand Jameson.
Naomi Osaka invests in sake producer
Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka has been appointed as creative director for SOTO after investing in the premium sake brand.
Diageo to purchase Aviation Gin in $610m deal
Diageo will purchase Aviation Gin and several sister brands in a deal worth up to $610 million.
Global Bartending Talent Agency launches with 16 clients
A former Diageo marketing executive has launched the world’s first dedicated talent agency for influential bartenders.
Gin brand Beefeater has launched a global advertising campaign designed to celebrate the spirit of London.
Borco has invested in a redesign for its Finsbury gin range and launched a Wild Strawberry variant to attract new consumers.
Codorníu appoints new chief executive
Spanish wine producer Codorníu has announced that Sergio Fuster will take over as chief executive in September.
Gin 1689 targets Latin America
Dutch producer Gin 1689 has appointed specialist firm GinBuilders to distribute the brand in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Martin Miller's launches seasonal gin called Summerful
Martin Miller’s has launched a seasonal gin called Summerful to celebrate the brand’s 20th anniversary.
Louis Roederer crowned World’s Most Admired Champagne Brand 2020
Drinks International has named Louis Roederer as the World’s Most Admired Champagne Brand in 2020, a magazine which ranks champagne brands from 1-30 based on the votes of the world's top wine experts.
Beer: Picture this
It’s all about the branding for craft beers trying to get noticed in a crowded marketplace. Shay Waterworth gets under the skin of funky designs
Vodka: A clear winner?
Is it possible to apply the craft approach to vodka? Philip Duff could have had the recipe for success
Champagne: Pick of the sparklers
With the term ‘sparkling’ gaining credence in wines from England, Canada and Spain, champagne can’t afford to rest on its laurels. Jamie Goode reports
New shoots
Finally getting its own craft segment, vodka is taking cues from wine and championing the terroir of its base as a flavour provider. Shay Waterworth grows the theory.
Brands Report: Pisco
There’s an exciting new entrant in this sector, reports Shay Waterworth
Brands Report: Irish Whiskey
The growing Irish Whiskey category gets its first page to itself this year. Hamish Smith explains why
Brands Report: American Whiskey
Diageo’s Bulleit holds both top spots for the third year running. Shay Waterworth reports
There is an astonishing level of consumer confusion in an increasingly proliferated wine industry, according to wine consultant Mike Paul.
Three Amigos
Some new faces have appeared on the Jalisco horizon but is Tequila Town big enough for all of them? Hamish Smith takes a wander over yonder
G'Vine launches brand ambassador competition
G’Vine gin’s Connoisseur Programme 2013 includes the chance to become the brand's ambassador.
Profile: Mikaël Silvestre
World Cup finalist, UEFA Champions League, FA and League Cup winner… and now rum brand owner. Christian Davis tackles French international footballer Mikaël Silvestre
Blossom Hill gets largest ever advertising spend
Blossom Hill, one of the UK’s most popular wine brands, is receiving its largest ever advertising support, including £2.2m on media alone.
Jacob’s Creek in major UK chat show sponsorship
Jacob’s Creek, the leading Australian wine brand, is to sponsor the UK’s leading chat show.
Treasury appoints Grant to head up Beringer
Treasury Wine Estates has appointed John Grant as managing director of its Beringer Brand Business Unit.
Heineken reels in Strongbow for US expansion
Heineken has announced it will take the US distribution of its global-leading cider brand, Strongbow, in-house from next year.
Armagnac
Armagnac is arguably the closest spirit to wine in terms of provenance, raw materials and the outlook of the growers, producers and brand owners. Christian Davis reports
Gin
Gin is trading on the complexities of its flavour profile to cash in on the cocktail boom. Patience Gould finds a booming super-premium sector
Accolade Wines revamps Echo Falls
Accolade Wines has unveiled a new look for its Echo Falls Californian wine brand in key European markets, including the UK, Netherlands and Spain.
Inver House Distillers, the Scotland-based spirits arm of International Beverage Holdings has reported a 28% increase in turnover for the year ending December 2011.
Diageo launches a Chinese white spirit to the UK market
Diageo, has launched Chinese white spirit brand, Shui Jing Fang, onto the UK domestic market.
Żubrówka Biała joins The Millionaires’ Club
Żubrówka Biała has gained inclusion into The Millionaires’ Club 2012 after becoming CEDC’s second biggest brand and the world's 83rd largest selling spirit in 2011.
Diageo buys Brazilian cachaça brand Ypióca
Diageo, the world's leading premium drinks business, has announced that it has reached agreement with Ypióca Agroindustrial Limitada to buy cachaça brand, Ypióca, and certain production assets.
Concha y Toro commits to Fetzer
Concha y Toro, the largest wine producer in Latin America, is committed to developing and improving the Californian wine producer, Fetzer, which it bought from Brown Forman in March 2011.
The Philippines' Emperador leads the brandy world
The Philippines-based Emperador brand is the world’s number one selling brandy after more than doubling its volume sales during 2011.
CEDC takes Barefoot to Poland
Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has extended its links with Gallo Vineyards to include the distribution of Barefoot wines in Poland.
Cooley’s and Jameson ready for St Patrick’s Day
Beam Inc., the new owners of Cooley’s the Irish whiskey brand, says it has signaled its intent to build the Kilbeggan brand in the US by importing the largest case shipment ever of the blended whiskey for the St Patrick’s Day (March 17) celebrations this weekend.
Ballantine's whisky goes for golf
Chivas Brothers is to launch a limited edition golf pack for its Ballantine’s 17 and 21 year old blended whiskies.
Danny DeVito’s Limoncello poised for world markets
Danny DeVito’s Limoncello is about to be rolled out to international markets, following its US launch in 2011.
Glenfiddich launches first ever vatted vintage reserve
William Grant has released Glenfiddich’s first-ever vatted ‘vintage reserve’, the 1974 Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve which the company claims was selected by a global panel of 16 experts.
Angostura crowns 2012 cocktail champ
Angostura has crowned US bartender David Delaney Jr as the winner of the 2012 Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge.