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.

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.

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.

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.

Sometimes accidents breed innovation. In 1928 Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin by chance, having thrown away a bacteria sample he thought was spent.

Back in 2002 celebrity chef Jamie Oliver launched Fifteen, a restaurant made up of a team of trainee chefs from underprivileged backgrounds.

Martini has announced that all its Asti grape suppliers are on track to being certified sustainable by Equalitas in 2021.

Shay Waterworth talks to brothers Bernard and Richard d’Offay about their Takamaka rum brand as it hits the ripe age of 20.

A deal has been struck between the UK and US to end retaliatory tariffs on malt whiskies for five years.

AB InBev has announced that North America president Michel Doukeris will succeed veteran leader Carlos Brito as chief executive this summer.

Melissa Draycott will take over from Martin Skelton as managing director of Gonzalez Byass UK in September.

UK importer Kingsland Drinks is championing alternative grape varieties that have the potential to drive excitement and experimentation among consumers.

Bowmore has launched a limited-edition 31 Year Old single malt into the travel retail channel as part of its Timeless Series collection.

Ardbeg 25 Years Old has become the oldest expression to join the Islay distillery’s permanent range.

Ardbeg has released a limited-edition bottling, Arrrrrrrdbeg, to celebrate distillery manager, Mickey Heads’ 13 years at the head of the distillery.

Joe Milner's Milestone Beverages has been driving expansion through Asia, and it is now eyeing new markets. Martin Green hears how the company plans to move forward.

BrewDog has launched a craft beer advent calendar with support from DS Smith and Glenhaze.

Ed Gerard has left his role of head of wines and spirits at upmarket retailer Harrods to join Mocktail Beverages as global business development director.

Nautilus Estate winemaker Clive Jones has been elected chair of the board at New Zealand Winegrowers.

Jack Daniel’s has announced that Chris Fletcher will take over from the outgoing Jeff Arnett as master distiller of the Tennessee whiskey brand.

Jack Daniel’s master distiller Jeff Arnett is stepping down after a 20-year career at the world-famous American whiskey producer.

Heineken 0.0% will take over sponsorship of the Europa League when the tournament resumes on Wednesday night.

Colin Scott has retired from his role as the custodian master blender of Chivas Regal after enjoying an illustrious 47-year career in the Scotch whisky industry. Drinks International caught up with the esteemed blender on his final day at the office.

In America, the beer category has lost volume to wine and spirit in recent years. There are several reasons for this.

Maison Villevert has acquired craft French distillery Celtic Whisky Compagnie for an undisclosed sum.

Champagne Gosset has launched a non-vintage cuvee that has benefited from more than 12 years of ageing on the lees.

A British family from the Isles of Scilly has created a new rum called Daymark 1683 Original.

Iconic Californian producer Daou Vineyards is ramping up its focus on exports in a bid to put Paso Robles on the international wine map.

Havana Club has unveiled The Havana Club Professional Edition range which has been specifically developed to target bartenders.

Owsley Brown Frazier, the great-grandson of the distiller who founded Brown-Forman Corp and former vice chairman of Brown-Forman Corporation died yesterday (August 16) after a long illness. He was 77 years old.

Columbian super-premium rum brand, La Hechicera, will launch to the UK this September, ahead of a roll out to the rest of Europe and the Americas in 2013.

Accolade Wines has unveiled a new look for its Echo Falls Californian wine brand in key European markets, including the UK, Netherlands and Spain.

We have teamed up with Brand Finance to reveal the world’s biggest wine and spirits brands by value. Christian Davis highlights trends in the sector 

The House Janneau has released some limited edition armagnacs, called the Dragon Vintages.

New Zealand Winegrowers has announced the dates and details of its Pinot Noir conference, 2013

Johnnie Walker has taken first place in Brands by Value, a list of the world’s 50 most valuable drinks brands.

International Wine & Spirit Research (IWSR) says that Asia-Pacific will be the fastest-growing region for the alcoholic beverage markets over the next five years.

Acceptance of screw-cap closures on wine bottles sold in the UK has risen to 85% of the regular wine-drinking population, according to a report on wine stoppers from Wine Intelligence.