Alexandre Ricard set his stall out yesterday (June 2) as Pernod Ricard celebrated 40 years of the two anise brands merging.

U’Luvka, the premium Polish vodka brand, has appointed Robert Zajaczkowski as its global brand manager.

Asia, and specifically China, is heading back to growth following the Chinese government's clamp down nearly two years ago on extravagant entertaining, excessive drinking and gifting.

The SPI Group has announced the appointment of Patrick Piana as Stoli Group USA's new CEO, effective August 2015.

Irish minister for agriculture, food and marine Simon Coveney will launch the Irish Whiskey Association’s ‘Vision for Irish Whiskey’ at an event this evening (May 12) in the Old Jameson Distillery, in Dublin.

Beam Suntory has announced that it will simplify its regional structure by merging its four operating regions into three.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has been awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2015 in international trade.

Belvédère SA, the wine and spirits company in Europe and the US, has announced has announced the composition of its executive committee, headed by CEO Jean-Noël Reynaud.

Global Spirits, a privately held international manufacturer and marketer of wines and spirits, intends to expand its global presence by establishing an Americas Business Unit which will be based out of the company’s New York office.

Drinks International’s regular spirits writer Dominic Roskrow has been short-listed for a coveted Fortnum & Mason Food and Drinks Award for work carried out for Drinks International.

Economist Sanna Suvanto-Harsaae becomes the new chairman of Altia’s board. Other new members of the board are: Kim Henriksson and Kasper Madsen who bring expertise on the Nordic market.

Cocktail bar, Mr Fogg’s in London’s Mayfair said to be the home of the eccentric British adventurer, Phileas J. Fogg is the site of Hendrick’s gin brand’s Botanical Garden.

Akiko Maeda has been appointed Bacardi's VP of fashion, responsible for developing partnerships that further incorporate the group's portfolio of spirits brands into the fashion world.

Scotch whisky exports declined 7% to £3.95 billion in 2014, according to figures from the UK government’s HM Revenue and Customs published today (1 April).

Old Pulteney has announced a partnership to raise funds for the maritime charity, The Mission to Seafarers.

The WSTA says new research shows that price increases in the off trade have slowed since the Government scrapped the alcohol duty escalator, cut beer duty and froze duty on spirits in 2014.

Brown-Forman has announced that Marshall Farrer, described as a “veteran employee” with various domestic, international, and global roles in sales and marketing, is its global travel retail team’s new managing director.

The Suffolk brewer and distiller and retailer has reported sales of £66 million and a £3.8m operating profit, in its report and accounts for the 12 months to December 31, 2014.

Edrington, owners of brands such as The Macallan, Famous Grouse and Snow Leopard, has announced the launch of Edrington European Travel Retail.

Just how innovative is the whisk(e)y industry? is the subject of this year’s Distillers;’ City Debate on May 14.

Gruppo Campari has published its full year results for 2014 which it says is in line with its expectations.

Diageo has pledged to make capital investment to expand local production facilities across distilling, bottling and water treatment as well as increasing its agave farming capacity in Mexico, following the completion of its acquisition of Tequila Don Julio last week.

Distil has announced that its Blavod Black vodka has been approved for sale in the US by the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).

The scotch whisky industry, adds almost £5 billion in value every year to the UK economy, according to a report commissioned by the Scotch Whisky Association.

Diageo has appointed a digital and e-commerce manager for Europe – a new role created to unify the company’s digital practices and develop a comprehensive digital presence.

Wild Turkey master distiller Jimmy Russell has announced that he has promoted his son, Eddie, to share his responsibilities.

Bacardi has announced an internal appointment of a new regional president for Europe.

Maxxium UK’s managing director Huw Pennell is leaving to take up a new job at Edrington, one of Maxxium’s shareholders.

The move to new halls will allow fresh ideas and innovation in the wine sector, according to the Prowein organisers.

The 2015 Vinexpo is a turning point. It is the second generation, so says the new CEO, Guillaume Deglise.

Bacardí has unveiled a new range of proprietary bottlings from its John Dewar & Sons’ Aultmore distillery. 

Johnnie Walker is today (Dec 4) staging a driving spectacular in Edinburgh with some Formula 1 stars to encourage people to never drink and drive.

Edrington has marked the official start of works on its £100 million distillery and visitor centre for its The Macallan single malt scotch whisky brand.

The Scotch Whisky Association has appointed Pierre Pringuet, CEO of Pernod Ricard, as its new chairman.

Gin distiller Hayman has launched a small batch gin called Family Reserve, which is rested for three weeks in aged scotch whisky barrels.

Rossi D’Asiago has announced that its flagship sambuca Antica, the second best selling brand in the category worldwide, will be distributed in Russia by the Synergy Group.

The first Armagnac Academy in China took place on Thursday October 30 in Beijing at the Crown Plaza hotel in the Wangfujing district.

Asia remains the key region for the long-term development of the global alcohol market, according to the IWSR’s latest report.

Spirit France, leading producer of Calvados with the brands Père Magloire, Boulard and Lecompte, has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Armagnac brand: Janneau.

Martell, which claims to be the oldest of the great cognac houses, is celebrating its 300th anniversary with the release of a new limited edition expression, Martell Premier Voyage.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s Spirits Committee has elected Finn O’Driscoll, managing director of SHS Drinks, as its new chairman. He replaces Chris Searle.

Irish Distillers is opening the doors to its Irish Whiskey Academy to the general public with in-depth courses available to spirits enthusiasts from December this year.

The Explorers Club has announced that it has come to a settlement with Diageo over the use of its name in regard to the global number one scotch whisky brand, Johnnie Walker.

Exports of scotch in the first half of the year were £1.77 billion, down 11% from £1.99bn in the same period of 2013, according to the Scotch Whisky Association.

William Grant & Sons' new €37 million distillery in the small Irish town of Tullamore, officially opened on September 17.

Pernod Ricard UK managing director, Denis O’Flynn has been elected as the next chairman of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), succeeding Nick Hyde in January 2015.

Pernod Ricard CEO Pierre Pringuet remains optimistic about China despite 23% decline in sales in its full year results.

Diageo Global Travel has announced the opening of two Johnnie Walker House retail showcase stores in travel retail – one in Mumbai, India and another in Taipei, Taiwan.

Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits is to distribute Karlsson’s Gold vodka worldwide, except in the US.

UK distribution of Averna, the second best-selling bitter in Italy, has gone to J. Wray and Nephew UK.