Kentucky bourbon Maker’s Mark has appointed Dr Blake Layfield as the brand’s next master distiller, and Beth Buckner as lead blender.
Glen Grant has announced the retirement of master distiller Dennis Malcolm OBE, who will leave his role at the end of June, after a six-decade long career.
No.3 London Dry Gin’s education initiative Ph3 Bartending Programme, which aims to empower bartenders, has reached its final ‘Graduation’ phase.
Woodford Reserve has appointed Elizabeth McCall as master distiller, the third in the bourbon brand’s 26-year history, succeeding Chris Morris, who will assume the role of master distiller emeritus.
Beefeater has announced that Desmond Payne MBE will be the brand’s first-ever master distiller emeritus in January 2023.
Diageo has announced the acquisition of Balcones Distilling (‘Balcones’), a Texas craft distiller and one of the leading producers of American single malt whisky in the United States.
Vermont-based rye whiskey distillery WhistlePig has announced the launch of the six years aged, 100% rye PiggyBack, created by late master distiller Dave Pickerell to showcase rye’s mixability.
Scottish distiller Eden Mill has entered a new partnership with French drinks group La Martiniquaise-Bardinet for the UK distribution of its gin portfolio.
Lucas Bols has reported an estimated 32% year-on-year decline in revenue for the 2020/21 financial year after widespread on-trade closures and travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Irish Distillers has unveiled the final whiskey created by outgoing master distiller Brian Nation during his final days in the role.
Jack Daniel’s has announced that Chris Fletcher will take over from the outgoing Jeff Arnett as master distiller of the Tennessee whiskey brand.
Welsh whisky producer Penderyn is ending its distribution arrangement with Halewood and setting up its own in-house supply business.
Jack Daniel’s master distiller Jeff Arnett is stepping down after a 20-year career at the world-famous American whiskey producer.
Kevin O’Gorman will take over as master distiller at Jameson producer Irish Distillers after Brian Nation decided to move to a startup in the US.
The winners of the International Spirits Challenge trophies have been announced.
Malaysia: Ian Macleod Distillers has set a new sales record for the company and the Malaysian Travel Retail industry.
G&J Greenall, one of the UK’s major distillers has been sold to a management buy out, according to unconfirmed reports.
I made my own gin! While it was bubbling away in a tiny Florence Flask (bulb-bottomed glass flask), I was getting excited about a potential second career as a master distiller. I was imagining travelling the world, clinking glasses with bartenders as we enjoy my wonderful creation, then popping to warm Mediterranean countries to source botanicals…
Russian Distiller has launched two new ‘bread wines’, Rye Polugar and Rye Malt Polugar.
Scotch company Gordon & MacPhail has launched The Glenlivet 70 Year Old, priced at £13,000 a bottle.
UK gin distiller G&J Greenall has celebrated its 250th birthday by redesigning its Original London Dry Gin.
Russian Distiller has launched Krivach, a malted rye distillate that is said to be the first of its type in Russia for 120 years.
The International Spirits Challenge winners were announced at a ceremony in London last night.
Indian distiller Amrut is to launch its first ‘Intermediate Sherry Matured’ whisky. The product will be a limited edition of 275 cases.
In his inaugural column for Drinks International, Branson takes a wider look at the overall non-alcoholic spirits sector to identify which brands will thrive and which won’t survive.
