Diageo has released the second blend in the Johnnie Walker Explorers' Club range, which is a duty free exclusive.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned that changes to customs classifications at EU level could lead to an increase in excise duty and VAT for some made-wine* products in the UK.

Bowmore the single malt Scotch whisky from Islay, has launched The Bowmore Water Program.

Glenmorangie has announced the launch of a whisky programme, which will involve its followers in the selection of a new limited edition whisky.

The House of Camus, which claims to be the last major, independent and family-owned Cognac house, celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

Two new WSET trustees

27 February, 2013

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has announced two new trustees - Mentzendorff managing director Andrew Hawes and Jonathan Driver who, after leaving Diageo in 2006, has become a global consultant.

Highland Park last night (February 22) unveiled The Warrior Series, which will comprise a range of six single malt whiskies.

Davide Campari-Milano SpA has announced that it is taking over the distribution and marketing of its recently acquired Appleton rum brands from Kobrand from March 1.

William Grant’s Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 5 has been voted the ‘Speyside Single Malt of the Year’.

Whyte & Mackay’s Jura distillery has added a new, limited-edition vintage expression – the 1977.

The Macallan and the French crystal brand, Lalique have launched a a new presentation for The Macallan which is exclusive to a select number of duty free and travel retail outlets in Asia.

The Distilled Spirits Council (Discus), which represents the spirits industry in the US, revealed its 2012 findings in New York this week.

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard has announced the retirement of Jameson Irish Whiskey master distiller Barry Crockett.

Beam’s ultra-premium positioned limited edition tequila, Casa Sauza XA, has a new look.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) meets with Economic Secretary to the Treasury today (February 5), ahead of the Budget in March.

SPI has announced that its Stolichnaya flavoured variants, Stoli Hot and Stoli Sticki have been listed by Dufry Do Brazil, the largest travel retail distributor in Latin America.

A bottle of Hine Grande Champagne Cognac from 1952, to commemorate the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II, is among several lots of Cognac to feature in auctioneers Bonhams’ sale on February 14 in London.

Diageo to expand its archive

01 February, 2013

Diageo has announced plans to invest £1.5 million in expanding the its global brand archive.

Diageo, the world’s largest premium alcoholic drinks company, has announced its interim results for the six months ended December 31, 2012

Funkin has appointed Simon Little, formerly of Diageo, Percy Fox, SABMiller, Greene King and Gaymers, as its new sales director.

SPI Group, owner of the Stolichnaya Russian vodka brand, has made John Esposito president of its US operations.

Diageo fires new Bulleit

24 January, 2013

Diageo has launched a 10 year old expression of Bulleit Bourbon in the US.

Pre-mixed drinks

21 December, 2012

Consumers are starting to really embrace the convenience of a pre-mixed drink in a portable format. Hamish Smith reports

The Craft Distillers Alliance has criticised a brewery in East Anglia for breaking the rules governing the production of whisky after it launched a new spirits product made with one of its beers.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced two trade agreements with Colombia and Peru and its Association Agreement with Central America.

J&G Grant has announced the appointment of Callum Fraser as the new production manager at the Glenfarclas Distillery.

Jack Daniel’s has launched its first installation of Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select’s 'The Sinatra Experience' in Las Vegas airport.

Diageo the world’s largest premium drinks company in the world, is to sponsor public transport in London and Edinburgh on New Year’s Eve.

A 233-year-old Courvoisier cognac, discovered in a Dutch Collection is on sale for £95,000 at Harrods in London

Adnams, best known as a regional English brewer, has previewed two English whiskies which will be launched next year in time for Christmas.

One direction for LIWF

03 December, 2012

Brintex, the organiser of the London International Wine Fair, has announced new initiatives to reinvigorate the 2013 show.

First Drinks, William Grant & Sons UK distributor, has announced a major investment to strengthen its presence in the UK on-trade.

First Drinks has announced the finalists of the Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind cocktail competition.

Major scotch exhibition

16 November, 2012

A major exhibition about scotch whisky, Scotland’s national drink, will open on 29 November at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

Guala Closures, a leading maker of aluminium closures for spirits and wines, has bought the Metal Closures division of South African company, MCG Industries.

Global spirits groups and aspiring brands were present at the second annual Moscow Bar Show (MBS) this week to capitalize on Russian bartenders and distributors’ growing interest in international spirits. 

The Tax Free World Association (TFWA) and the Middle East Duty Free Association (MEDFA) have released the programme for the 2012 MEDFA Conference.

Bacardi Limited, the largest privately-held spirits company in the world, has announced the appointment of Siddik Tetík as regional president of Asia Pacific.

Bacardi has announced the appointment of Ron Anderson as senior vice president and chief commercial officer.

Absinthe

09 July, 2012

With all the bans on absinthe now lifted, the traditional French and Swiss producers are now free to re-invent the category for the 21st century. Hamish Smith investigates

Diageo, has launched Chinese white spirit brand, Shui Jing Fang, onto the UK domestic market.

Legislation granting permanent normal trade relations status (PNTR) to Russia has been introduced to the US Senate. The Distilled Spirits Council urged speedy passage in order for US distillers to gain many market access benefits of Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The price of wine and spirits has risen by more than twice the level of inflation, according to the latest WSTA Market Report.

Diageo, the world's leading premium drinks business, has announced that it has reached agreement with Ypióca Agroindustrial Limitada to buy cachaça brand, Ypióca, and certain production assets.

China is the key for any global company and it is as important now as the US was in the past, according to speakers at the inaugural Worshipful Company of Distillers' city debate.

Patrón Spirits has partnered with the Turkish importer BT to distribute the company's tequilas and XO Cafe coffee liqueur.

Diageo has announced the completion of the mandatory tender offer for the outstanding shares in Chinese white spirits company, Sichuan Shuijingfang

US recognises cachaça

11 April, 2012

The US is to officially recognise cachaça as a spirit from Brazil. The sugar cane spirit is currently labelled Brazilian rum in the US.

Campari America has joined the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association, the lead body for the UK wine and spirits sectors, has announced the appointment of Miles Beale as its new chief executive.

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