Altia, the Nordic-based alcoholic drinks group has bought the Larsen Cognac brand and the Danish aquavit brand Brøndums.

Diageo has announced that Andy Fennell, chief marketing officer, will become president COO, Africa, reporting to Nick Blazquez, president Africa, Eastern Europe and Turkey.

Wemyss, owner of independent bottler Wemyss Malts and blended malt whiskies such as The Spice King, The Peat Chimney and The Hive, has announced that final planning permission has now been granted for its new single malt whisky distillery and visitor centre.

The announcement yesterday of the appointment of Dave Wilson’s as Patrón Spirits’ new president of international operations and global COO, follows the surprise decision by John McDonnell to step down.

Armagnac house Janneau has decided to double its capacity to distil in-house.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) exhibition, Scotch Whisky: From Grain to Glass, has opened in the Glasgow.

Patrón Spirits has announced that Dave Wilson is its president of its new international operations and global COO, effective June 10.

William Grant & Sons has announced that Gordon Dron, its managing director for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) has decided to leave the company.

Rusty Cerven, of the UK’s Connaught Bar, won the seventh annual Bols Around the World competition, beating 11 other finalists in a hard-fought competition at Amsterdam’s Escape nightclub.

Two single malt Indian whiskies were unveiled in London last night (May 14).

Davide Campari-Milano SpA has posted poor results in first quarter ending March 31, 2013 which it states is mainly due to the ‘one-off’ destocking in Italy.

Bacardi Global Travel Retail (BGTR) has launched a Highland single malt Scotch whisky collection exclusive to travel retailers, World Duty Free.

The global Gin sector is low price, low growth and extremely uninteresting, according to a top City of London analyst.

Diageo, has reported 5% organic and 6% reported net sales growth for the nine months to 31 March 31. Volume was up 1%.

European spirits exports were worth €10.2 billion in 2012 - 20% up from €8.5 billion in the previous year.

Pernod Ricard Chivas Brothers has released a new limited edition expression of Beefeater, the world’s best-selling premium gin.

Diageo has unveiled a Smirnoff variant, Espresso Smirnoff.

Diageo has announced that its global supply and procurement operation will be refocused to improve supplying its 21 key markets.

Pernod Ricard has launched Absolut Denim, the latest version of the Swedish vodka brand.

The board of Davide Campari-Milano SpA, has reported group net profit of €156.7 million in its consolidated financial results for the year ended December 31, 2012. Sales were up 5.2% to €1,340.8m

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 150^th anniversary this year.

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

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.