Bladnoch Scotch whisky distillery has partnered with premium spirits distributor Maison Villevert to accelerate growth of the single malt whisky brand in France.

Diageo India, also known as United Spirits Limited, has announced the purchase of a majority controlling stake in Goa-based gin producer Nao Spirits for INR 130 crores (US$15.2m). 

Cava is dominante in Spain, but Shay Waterworth looks at the potential for sparkling Rioja both domestically and overseas.

Age statement American whiskeys have finally caught up on demand, but is the timing unfortunate? Shay Waterworth find out.

Spiritseurope has appointment Mark Titterington as its new director general, effective 1 September 2025.

International Beverage has announced the global launch of Prakaan, Thailand’s first premium single malt whisky, following its entry into domestic and Asian markets last year.

The drinks industry has been left in suspense after a trade court in the US blocked Donald Trump from imposing global import tariffs.

Loch Lomond Group (LLG) has announced the acquisition of The New York Distilling Company (NYDC).

As far as bar collaborations go, it doesn’t get much bigger than this. The founders of number two and number three in The World’s 50 Best Bars, Lorenzo Antinori and Simone Caporale, have joined forces to launch Montana in Hong Kong.

Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy took the top spot for the second year running in the live awards ceremony of North America’s 50 Best Bars, held at JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, Canada, last night.

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) has announced this year’s Tales Catalyst honourees, recognising members of the cocktail community who are elevating the industry.

Diageo has exchanged majority ownership of the brand rights for Cîroc vodka in North America, for majority ownership of tequila brand Lobos 1707.

In what has been dubbed ‘Liberation Day’, US president Donald Trump has announced steep reciprocal tariffs.

The Ada Coleman Project, a platform dedicated to amplifying the visibility of women and non-binary professionals in the drinks industry, has announced the expansion of its global directory.

Boatyard expands into US

31 March, 2025

The Boatyard Distillery has announced a new partnership with Banfi Vintners to become the exclusive sales agent in the US for its Boatyard Double Gin. 

The European Union has announced retaliatory tariffs on €26bn (£22bn) worth of US goods, including bourbon whiskey, as “countermeasures” to Washington’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. 

In line with International Women's Day, Drinks International caught up with the co-founders of Ladydragón Craft Tequila JC Cortez and Heather Ann.

Several Canadian provinces have removed American-made liquor from store shelves in retaliation against Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian imports.

Bacardi has launched a new bottle design for its Martini vermouth range as it continues to target the ‘aperitivo moment’ globally.

The Gulf Bar Show has announced its lineup of bartenders and industry leaders for its first edition on 7-8 April.

India has slashed its tariffs on Bourbon whiskey from 150% to 100% after US president Donald Trump criticised levies in the South Asian market.

Alcohol sales across the US are shrinking, according to NielsenIQ, with off-premise beer, wine and spirits (excluding RTDs) all losing ground.

Diageo chief executive Debra Crew addressed the implementation of US tariffs as part of the company’s six month interim results to 31 December 2024.

As president Trump wields his warnings of high tariff s on imports, Irish whiskey’s smaller producers are reassessing their position with the US. Shay Waterworth reports.

UK wine importer, Mentzendorff, has announced the addition of Napa Valley’s Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery to its portfolio.

Brands Report 2025: Vodka

20 January, 2025

There’s no change in the top three, but the lower echelons see some shifts and a new entry.

Gin brand Renais has secured a £4.95m investment to accelerate international expansion and increase production capacity.

Familia Torres has declared an expected sales increase of 7% for its wine and brandy business for 2024 on the previous year.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has issued its final rule establishing a new American single malt whiskey category.

Savoia’s latest expression, Savoia Orancio, is launching in the US, following a successful UK debut in 2023.

Stoli Group has filed for bankruptcy in the US largely due to a two-month-long cyber attack that impacted operations in the States.

Irish whiskey brand Waterford entered administration earlier this week after failing to raise fresh funding.

US manufacturer and brewer of Busch Light, Budweiser and Bud Light, Anheuser-Busch, has invested $14m in its Houston, Texas brewery.

Diageo has unveiled the YunTuo Single Malt Whisky Distillery, the first of its kind for the company in China.

News of Donald Trump’s re-election as US president earlier this week has sparked fear over the possibility of further tariffs being implemented on the spirits industry.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has sounded an alarm over the potential return and doubling of the EU’s retaliatory tariff on American whiskey in a new report.

Sales for Q1 FY25 totalled €2,783m with an organic decline of -5.9% largely driven by a steep drop in China.

New data from the IWSR, the global authority on beverage alcohol data and intelligence, has revealed the US beverage alcohol market continued to shrink in the first seven months of 2024, with volumes declining more than expected.

US-based Bourbon distiller, Saga Spirits Group, has reportedly announced plans to develop a $92.5 million distillery and tourism centre on 150 acres in Kentucky.

RTD and hard seltzer brand, White Claw, has released its first vodka in the UK, launching nationwide next month.

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%.

Independent cognac house Hine has appointed SipWell to drive its travel retail presence across the UK, US and Asia.

Diageo reported a net sales decline of 1.4% to $20.3 billion for the year end 30 June 2024 which the company pinned on unfavourable foreign exchange and inflation.

Hanna Lee Communications has launched a trade-consumer event called New York Bartender Week which will make its debut on 18-24 November 2024.

In what looks like a mirror movement of wine some 50 years ago, agave spirits are finding their feet in unlikely quarters, finds Shay Waterworth.

US-based whiskey brand Uncle Nearest has announced the acquisition of Square One Organic Spirits.

US wine company Jackson Family Wines has entered the American whiskey category with the launch of its Stonestreet Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

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.

‘Brewing for Impact’, an initiative that will see breweries from seven countries produce beer using the West African grain fonio, has launched.

Patrón tequila has announced it is bringing back Patrón XO Cafe to the US having discontinued the product three years ago.

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Ben Branson

Hazel: The second release from Sylva

As the name suggests, we’ve used hazel wood as the hero of this edition alongside other familiar, native broadleaf trees, including silver birch and oak from our own forest.

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