Credit to Pernod. The company has done a fine job this week in extolling the success of scotch whisky around the world and in telling important opinion formers that the company is best placed to capitalise on that thirst and in doing so earn lots of money for the company, its suppliers, customers, not forgetting its investors.
Hi-Spirits UK announces name change
Sazerac Company has announced the renaming of subsidiary spirits distributor Hi-Spirits UK, to Sazerac UK.
Familia Torres begins generational transition process
The advisory board of Familia Torres has agreed to begin a generational transition process in which the current chief executive, Miquel Torres Maczassek, will be appointed president of the company.
Sazerac Company named American Whiskey producer of the year
For the fourth year in a row, Buffalo Trace owner, Sazerac Company, has been named American Whiskey Producer of the Year by Drinks International’s International Spirits Challenge (ISC).
Elevated Spirits Company appoints senior leadership team
The Elevated Spirits Company, producer of the Cierto Tequila portfolio, has announced the appointment of its senior leadership team.
Anchor to shut down after 127 years
After 127 years, having survived San Francisco’s 1906 earthquake, Prohibition and both World Wars, Anchor Brewing Company is closing down due to recent economic pressures.
Newly unredacted documents have shed light on US rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs claims of racial discrimination against drinks giant Diageo.
Isle of Man rum Hoolie comes to Harrods
White rum Hoolie, distilled in an old milking shed, will soon be sold in Harrods as the Isle-of-Man-based spirits company continues its London takeover.
Spiribam-UK and its fruit liqueur, eaux-de-vie and vermouth company, Joseph Cartron, have announced the UK winner of its Cartron Unexpected Cocktail Competition, Keoghán Taylor of Kiki Lounge.
Diageo’s Ivan Menezes to step down as CEO
Diageo has announced that its chief executive officer Sir Ivan Menezes will be retiring and is set to depart from the Diageo Board on 30 June this year, following 10 years leading the company.
Bira 91 raises $10m from Japan’s MUFG Bank
Premium beer company, Bira 91, has raised $10m from MUFG Bank, Ltd. (MUFG Bank), Japan's largest bank, as the brand continues to grow at a rapid pace, tripling its market share from pre-covid levels.
Fercullen Irish Whiskey introduced to the US
Fercullen Irish Whiskey from the Powerscourt Estate will now be available across the US as a result of a new distribution partnership with Zamora Company USA.
East London Liquor Co joins Mangrove Global portfolio
Mangrove Global, the premium UK spirits distributor, has announced the addition of East London Liquor Company to its portfolio.
Brown-Forman confirms purchase of Gin Mare
Jack Daniel’s owner Brown-Forman has confirmed the purchase of gin brand Gin Mare from Spanish premium drinks company, Vantguard.
A strong performance in key markets saw Beam Suntory’s net sales increase by 13% year-on-year in the first half of 2022, a 25% increase on the pre-pandemic period in 2019.
The Spirit of Manchester Distillery enters whisky market
The Spirit of Manchester Distillery has launched its first whisky, the OnePointSix English, as it moves into the whisky market with a £1 million investment, the biggest since it was founded in 2016.
Sazerac Company acquires Lough Gill Distillery
Hazelwood Demesne Limited, owner of the Lough Gill Distillery in Sligo, has announced its acquisition by the Sazerac Company to develop the historical site.
Premium sales drive growth for Viña Concha y Toro in 2021
Viña Concha y Toro has reported that profits rose by 26.7% in 2021 with sales of premium wines accounting for more than half of company revenues for the first time.
Diageo India invests in premium gin producer Nao Spirits
United Spirits Limited (Diageo India) has announced an investment of INR 31.5 crores (US$ 4.1m) to acquire a strategic minority stake in Nao Spirits.
Green to leave lasting legacy beyond DI
The announcement of Martin Green’s departure from Drinks International marks the end of an era for Agile Media and a significant loss for the wider drinks trade.
Javier Pijoan named new Zamora Company CEO
Spain’s Zamora Company has appointed Javier Pijoan as its new CEO to replace former chief executive Emilio Restoy.
Tackling the modern challenges of bulk wine distribution
Logistics companies within the global drinks industry have been battered by an unprecedented confluence of headwinds during the past 18 months.
Hatch Mansfield appoints new MD after McGrath becomes chairman
Hatch Mansfield managing director Patrick McGrath MW is stepping up to the newly created role of chairman.
The Essence House returns to Covent Garden for London Cocktail Week
The London Essence Company has announced that The Essence House pop-up is returning to Covent Garden throughout October for London Cocktail Week 2021.
Boston Beer Co. share price tumbles due to weak hard seltzer demand
Boston Beer Company saw its share price plummet by almost 10% yesterday after weak demand for hard seltzer forced it to pull its earnings guidance.
Jancis Robinson MW sells website to U.S. media company
Celebrated wine writer Jancis Robinson MW has sold her eponymous website to U.S. digital media company Recurrent Ventures for an undisclosed sum.
Surge in hard seltzer brands slow uptake
It has been a sobering quarter for hard seltzers. Sales of the canned RTD that disrupted the US alcohol market when it burst on to the scene in 2016 have finally stalled.
Zamora turnover down 17% in 2020
Zamora Company has announced a -17.2% drop in turnover in 2020 compared to the previous year.
Ardgowan Distillery announces construction of new distillery following £8.4 million investment
Ardgowan Distillery has announced a new one million litre single malt distillery and visitor centre, built on the Ardgowan Estate in Inverclyde, Scotland.
Concha y Toro posts 8.2% revenue increase for Q1
Leading Chilean wine producer Concha y Toro has reported an 8.2% revenue increase in the first three months of 2021.
BR Distilling gains Texas distribution deal
BR Distilling Company in Memphis, US, has gained distribution across Texas as part of its rapid domestic expansion.
Worshipful Company of Distillers focuses on diversity with new education scholarships
The Worshipful Company of Distillers has announced a new programme of scholarships and bursaries for more than 100 students over the next three years.
Aphria ties up $300m deal for SweetWater Brewing Co.
Canada’s third largest cannabis company has agreed a $300 million deal to purchase Atlanta-based brewer SweetWater.
Zamora Company reports strong 2019 sales
Spanish drinks producer Zamora Company has reported that turnover increased 6.3% to €208 million in 2019.
Pernod Ricard has become the latest major company to halt advertising on Facebook and Twitter in a bid to stop the spread of hatred and misinformation.
Irish Distillers master distiller heads to Minneapolis to work for O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company
A craft spirits startup in Minnesota has secured the services of Irish Distillers’ master distiller Brian Nation.
Zamora Company USA adds Don Papa rum to portfolio
Zamora Company USA has bolstered its spirits portfolio with the addition of Filipino rum brand Don Papa.
Opihr Oriental Spiced unveiled at Imbibe Live
Quintessential Brands unveiled Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin yesterday at UK on-trade show Imbibe Live.
Patrick Ricard dies aged 67
Patrick Ricard the titular head of the Pernod Ricard family, has died. He was 67. Cause of death has not been disclosed but it is believed to be a heart attack.
Michael Cox is new Vintners' master
Michael Cox has been installed as the 518th Master of the Worshipful Company of Vintners for the forthcoming year.
Scotch infrastructure
Asian demand for whisky has boosted investment in Scotland, says Lucy Britner
Pernod raises the stakes
Pernod Richard is raising the stakes in scotch whisky after a week in which it hosted a ‘Capital Markets Day’ of presentations up at its flagship Glenlivet distillery on Speyside.
Crabbie’s expands into US and Canada
Halewood International has expanded the distribution of its Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer brand into the US and Canada.
Tetra Pak, the world leader in its eponymous packaging, has announced that wine can be packed in its cartons in the UK for the first time
Diageo completes deal to buy Chinese white spirits company
Diageo has announced the completion of the mandatory tender offer for the outstanding shares in Chinese white spirits company, Sichuan Shuijingfang
Rémy Cointreau raises a cognac to Asia
Rémy Cointreau's consolidated turnover for the 2011/12 financial year was €1,026.1 million, an increase of 13% (up 15.6% organically) compared with the previous year.
SPI signs up Telford for Stoli's distribution in China
SPI Group has signed a five-year agreement with Telford International Company for the distribution of its Stolichnaya portfolio in China.
Altia post 7.6% net sales growth
Altia, the wine and spirits group that focuses on the Nordic countries, has announced a 7.6% net sales increase to €524.8 million for the year January to December 2011.
La Martiniquaise finalises QFS deal
French spirits group La Martiniquaise has finalised negotiations to take over Quartier Français Spiritueux. The financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed. La Martiniquaise first announced their intention to acquire the company in early 2011.
Perthshire Raspberry Edinburgh Gin launches in UK
The Spencerfield Spirit Company has launched a Perthshire Raspberry edition of its Edinburgh Gin brand to the UK.