UK single malt whisky Jura has announced the retirement of distillery manager Graham Logan, following three decades of service.

The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) has found that in 2023, world wine production is expected to be the smallest in the last 60 years.

Everleaf non-alcoholic aperitif is launching its ‘Everleaf Home’, a pop-up at The Hide Bar, London, to celebrate its fifth birthday this November.

Chilean wine producer and exporter, Viña Concha y Toro, has kicked off its 140th anniversary celebration with a campaign calling on its consumers to ‘Make Time Memorable’.

Venice Cocktail Week returns with its third edition this year, held in the Serenissima from 23-29 October.

The cliché entry into bartending is during the university years, where a part time job to support a student loan snowballs into a career. But for some, hospitality is in their blood. Michael Hajiyianni, general manager of veteran Copenhagen bar Ruby, falls into the latter category.

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.

Guillaume Thomas, veteran Pernod Ricard executive, will launch Martingale Cognac this autumn.

Ferrari Trento has announced that Cyril Brun has joined the Italian sparkling wine brand located in Trentino, Italy, as cellar master.

Chief executive officer of Diageo, Sir Ivan Menezes, has died at age 63 after a brief illness.

The Comité Champagne has unveiled the sector’s plan for the next decade, defining a global trajectory to face the challenges of the next 10 years. 

The Blend by Beam Suntory and The World’s 50 Best Bars have announced the return of the 50 Best Bars The Blend Scholarship, offering its recipient the opportunity to train at two of The World's 50 Best Bars and attend the awards ceremony in Singapore this October.

La Martiniquaise-Bardinet has released a new Anniversary Limited Edition bottling to celebrate 100 years of Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky.

Bushmills Irish Whiskey has unveiled the tenth and final release from its current Causeway Collection, a 33 Year Old Port Cask, to be sold exclusively in World Duty-Free’s stores at Heathrow Airport.

Gin may have fallen out of favour in the UK, but its prospects are much brighter in travel retail.

The Drinks Trust has appointed Guy Lawrence, CEO of Brockman’s Gin, as the new chair of the charity following Troy Christensen’s two-year tenure.

Drinks marketing, events and brand activation agency, ItalSpirits, has appointed Roberta Mariani as advocacy director.

A response to the notion that 'without criticism there is only marketing', by DI editor Shay Waterworth.

Dubai has scrapped its 30% tax on alcohol sales for the rest of the year in an apparent bid to boost tourism, while also stopping the charge on personal alcohol licences, something residents who wish to drink at home are required to have.

The Macallan has introduced a new single malt whisky into The Red Collection, The Macallan 77 Years Old.

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

Climate change and economic challenges are taking their toll on production of Italy's favourite digestif.

What next for Royal Warrants?

22 September, 2022

On 8 September 2022 Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in British history, passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle in Scotland aged 96.

Iichiko shochu has signed an importer agreement with Shaw-Ross International Importers to expand its availability across the US.

Heineken UK has announced the purchase of the remaining shares of Beavertown Brewery, having purchased a minority stake in 2018, assuming full ownership of London’s largest brewery.

On 1 July The Balvenie launched the latest in its Stories range, a 27-year-old single malt finished in Caroni rum casks, Drinks International caught up with brand ambassador Alwynne Gwilt to talk about the distillery's unique relationship with rum.

Champagne growers and houses met in Epernay within the Comité Champagne to agree on the circumstances of the next harvest and on strategic directions for the sector.

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

Danish whisky brand Stauning has announced the launch of a limited-edition rye whisky matured in Marsala, Gewürztraminer and Romandalo wine casks.

A 1975 cask of Ardbeg Islay malt scotch whisky, Cask No.3, is the brand's oldest whisky ever released and was sold to a private collector in Asia for £16 million.

Shochu can now be sold under its own category name in the state of New York, US, after amendments to the Beverage Control Act allowing Japanese Shochu (24% ABV or under) to be sold under a beer and wine license.

The Jack Daniel Distillery has introduced two additions to its core range, Jack Daniel’s Bonded and Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash.

Nyetimber has announced the appointment of Richard Carter as CEO of the company with effect from July this year, as he joins from his role of director of global communications at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Ferrari Trento has announced it will be the official toast of Formula 1 until the end of the 2025 season, extending its partnership from three years to five.

Building Whiskey Bridges

28 June, 2022

Trade disputes resulting in crippling tariffs have been lifted after four years, but will America and its export countries find a permanent peace?

Singapore-bar Atlas has announced the appointment of former assistant head bartender Lidiyanah K as its new head bartender.

Puerto Rican rum producer, Distillería Serrallés has launched its portfolio of aged Don Q Rums in the UK and European markets.

Welsh whisky brand Aber Falls has announced an international roll-out that will see the brand become available in more than ten countries including Australia, Germany, Denmark, and Canada.

London Cocktail Week founders Siobhan Payne and Hannah Sharman-Cox, alongside Global Bartending’s Dan Dove, have announced the launch of the Pinnacle Guide, a new one, two and three ‘Pin’ recognition system for the world’s best bars.

Brands Report 2022: Mixers

13 January, 2022

Listening to the demands of bartenders, premium mixer brands have become increasingly experimental with their flavour combinations. To reflect this greater variety, the tonic water table of previous reports has been broadened to encompass all mixer brands.

The non-alcoholic spirits category debuted in last year’s report, but the sector has quickly taken root and now no drinks group’s portfolio is complete without one.

Brands Report 2022: Pisco

10 January, 2022

Barsol reigns supreme in the pisco category. The Peruvian brand took a whopping 31% of the first-choice votes and 23% of the top-three pours in the World’s Best Bars.

Luxury drinks company Moët Hennessy and WhistlePig have launched a full sales and marketing drive in the UK and Europe this month, following the announcement of their partnership last year.

Single malt whisky distiller, John Campbell, has joined the independent family-owned Lochlea Distillery as its new production director.

Glenfiddich has teamed up with the Goodwood sporting estate for an auction that will raise money for the Race Against Dementia charity.

Guinness has announced the limited first release in the UK of a draught tap for homes this Christmas.

Bushmills has appointed Alex Thomas as master blender at The Old Bushmills Distillery working across the entire portfolio and product development.

Dr Emma Walker will replace the legendary Dr Jim Beveridge as Johnnie Walker master blender at the end of the year.

Canned wine hits new heights

23 September, 2021

It’s fair to say that the perception of canned wine among consumers has historically been less than favourable, perceived as the choice of hen parties, train-drinkers, and people with “it’s wine o’clock” fridge magnets. In recent years though, canned wine has matured and now some very good products are available in the format.

Glenmorangie has launched limited-edition packaging for its 18 Years Old variant to celebrate its partnership with botanical sculptor Azuma Makoto.

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La'Mel Clarke

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