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. 

Liqueurs have long been in the shadow of spirits, but their role in modern day mixology should not be underestimated.

The importance of liqueurs to cocktails cannot be overstated, but it’s the classic brands that remain at the forefront.

Cream liqueurs may have been a fairly stuck category for a while, but new players are introducing exciting options.

Italian bitters are enjoying something of a golden era as consumers’ tastes evolve.

Liqueurs do a lot of the heavy lifting on a cocktail menu, so naturally, the bestselling list boasts a huge variety of styles.

There’s a buzz about Italian spirits in many markets. Campari and Aperol are kicking up a storm in aperitif drinking occasions through spritz and other mixer serves, while amaro is getting some love on the back of the wider trend for herbal, digestif-style liqueurs.

While it feels like Negronis have been big business for a decade, our research suggests it’s been more like half that.

De Kuyper Royal Distillers has announced that it is to cooperate with Beam Suntory in marketing its brands in the Netherlands.

The liqueurs sector is like a jungle: full of different creatures. It’s a diverse environment where the one thing they have in common is a broad category classification. Christian Davis explores

While trading conditions in key markets are far from ideal, leading liqueur brands are stepping up their focus on travel retail, as Joe Bates reports

French liqueur brand Cointreau has announced a creative partnership with French model and actress, Laetitia Casta.

De Kuyper has teamed up with leading annual flair bartending competition WFA Grand Slam 2014.

Rossi D’Asiago has announced that its flagship sambuca Antica, the second best selling brand in the category worldwide, will be distributed in Russia by the Synergy Group.

Rémy Cointreau has announced the promotion of former LVMH boss Panos Sarantopoulos as CEO of its liqueurs and spirits division.

Beam Suntory has announced that it will begin distribution of the Suntory Japanese and scotch whiskies and Midori liqueur in the US and Germany beginning July 1.

Drambuie the scotch whisky liqueur is up for sale, according to the Financial Times newspaper.

Licor 43, which claims to be the world’s fastest growing premium liqueur, has announced the appointment of a dedicated UK brand manager.

Bols Elderflower retails for US$17.99 (75cl) with a 15% abv. The product is available in both the on- and off-trade channels across the US

De Kuyper yesterday unveiled a new look for its liqueurs range and three new pot stills that it intends to use to diversify and expand its portfolio.

Mike Flannery, barman at New York’s Apartment 13 restaurant has won the 2013 Peter F Heering Sling Awards at the BCB Bar Convent show in Berlin.

Diageo has announced what it claims to be one of its most innovative products for a decade - Baileys Chocolat Luxe.

The cocktail remains central to liqueurs action and, for producers, keeping their brand relevant is a number one priority. Patience Gould reports

Gruppo Campari has posted its half term results - sales of €698.6 million. 13% up but group net profit is down 26.1% to €57.6m.

Marblehead, the privately-owned UK-based, brand development and distribution company, has announced a new partnership with Quintessential Brands, the independent spirits company.

Rusty Cerven, of the UK’s Connaught Bar, won the seventh annual Bols Around the World competition, beating 11 other finalists in a hard-fought competition at Amsterdam’s Escape nightclub.

ISC judge and distiller Patrick van Zuidam looks at how liqueurs will be flavouring the next decade

The Drambuie company, owners of one of the famous liqueur brands, has announced an operating profit of 9%, based on constant exchange rates for the year to June 2012.

Liqueurs de France has added a Swiss absinthe to its Enigma brand range, Enigma Verte Suisse.

The category is densely populated and very competitive in the mainstream, but there are rich pickings to be had as liqueurs gain a new status. Patience Gould reports

Travel Retail operator World of Patria International has reached agreement with Chase Distillery to offer its range of spirits and liqueurs.

Liqueurs de France has rolled out the launch of its Enigma absinthe range to the UK, in a bid to change consumer perceptions of the spirit.