Suntory promotes EVP Nobuhiro Torii to president
Suntory Holdings has appointed Nobuhiro (Nobu) Torii, the company’s current executive vice president, as the new president, effective 25 March 2025.
Stoli Group USA files for bankruptcy
Stoli Group has filed for bankruptcy in the US largely due to a two-month-long cyber attack that impacted operations in the States.
Leo Evers: De Kuyper's new CEO sets out big ambitions
Earlier this year hundreds of global industry figures gathered in Schiedam to bid farewell to De Kuyper Royal Distillers’ Mark de Witte, who retired after nine years as chief executive at the company.
African Originals secures USD$2m to fuel expansion
African Originals, the beverage company behind brands such as Kenyan Originals, African Originals and 5.8 has raised USD$2m in a funding round led by Phoenix Beverages Limited, Mauritius' largest beverage company.
Campari buys stake in Bunnahabhain owner CVH Spirits
Campari Group has acquired a minority stake in the owner of single malt whisky brand Bunnahabhain.
Ardbeg brings back 17 Years Old
Ardbeg Distillery is reviving its 17 Years Old in a limited edition shared exclusively with the Ardbeg Committee.
Viña Concha y Toro renews B Corp status
Viña Concha y Toro has achieved the re-certification as a B Corporation, which recognises those companies that meet high standards of environmental, governance and social performance.
Concha y Toro sees near 20% revenue rise
Viña Concha y Toro has seen revenue growth of 17.7% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2024 to Ch$237,348 million, while profit also increased 243.1%.
Zamora Company sets record sales in 2023
Zamora Company has announced record turnover for 2023 with €268 million and a 21.5% increase in sales since 2021.
Freixenet Copestick and Spain’s Zamora Company have agreed a strategic distribution partnership for the Zamora portfolio of wines in the UK and Northern Ireland.
Carlsberg agrees £3.3bn takeover fee of Britvic
Danish company Carlsberg has agreed a £3.3bn deal to buy the UK business of Britvic as well as the remaining 40% share in its joint brewing venture with Marston’s.
Avallen founders launch sustainability consultancy
The founders of Avallen Spirits, the owner of Avallen Calvados, Stephanie Jordan-Balmforth and Tim Etherington-Judge, have announced a new consultancy company.
James Watt to step down as BrewDog CEO
BrewDog has announced that James Arrow, currently COO, will succeed James Watt as CEO of the company, as part of a succession plan put in place last year.
Viña Concha y Toro sales up more than 25%
Viña Concha y Toro has recorded sales growth of 26.4% for the first quarter of its financial year as it continues to recover from a challenging 2023.
Beam Suntory rebrands to Suntory Global Spirits
Beam Suntory has rebranded to become Suntory Global Spirits, as the company marks 10 years since Suntory Holdings acquired Beam Inc in 2014.
Molson Coors to invest over £100m into UK breweries
Molson Coors Beverage Company has announced its plans to invest more than £100m in its UK brewery and beverage network over the next five years.
The Artisanal Spirits Company acquires Single Cask Nation
Whisky producer, The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC), and owner of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), has acquired US-based independent bottling brand, Single Cask Nation.
East London Liquor Company bought out of administration
East London Liquor Co has been bought out of administration following “harsh new conditions” on its Time to Pay agreement with HMRC.
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.