Age statement American whiskeys have finally caught up on demand, but is the timing unfortunate? Shay Waterworth find out.

Global spirits company Sazerac has announced the renaming of its recently-acquired Irish whiskey distillery to Hawk’s Rock Distillery.

The European Union has announced retaliatory tariffs on €26bn (£22bn) worth of US goods, including bourbon whiskey, as “countermeasures” to Washington’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. 

As president Trump wields his warnings of high tariff s on imports, Irish whiskey’s smaller producers are reassessing their position with the US. Shay Waterworth reports.

RoCo Brands, a premium spirits brands accelerator has acquired Irish whiskey brand Velvet Cap from Blackwater Distillery.

Michter’s has been a bartender favourite and a stalwart at the top of our trending list since making its debut in 2016. 

Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery will increase UK and Europe exports by 22%, ahead of the official recognition of the American single malt whiskey category.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has issued its final rule establishing a new American single malt whiskey category.

American whiskey distiller, Bardstown Bourbon Company, and Brindiamo, a leader in sourcing bulk whiskey, will launch an exclusive barrel leasing programme.

Irish whiskey brand Waterford entered administration earlier this week after failing to raise fresh funding.

Michter’s has retained its title as The World’s Most Admired Whiskey brand in the fourth edition of the annual top 50 list released by Drinks International.

US wine company Jackson Family Wines has entered the American whiskey category with the launch of its Stonestreet Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

Distillers are calling for the permanent removal of EU imposed “debilitating tariffs” on American whiskey, which are scheduled to be reimposed and doubled to 50% on 1 January 2024.

Buffalo Trace Distillery, distiller of brands including Buffalo Trace Bourbon and Sazerac Rye, has announced the forthcoming opening of Buffalo Trace Distillery London, an American whiskey experience in Covent Garden.

For the fourth year in a row, Buffalo Trace owner, Sazerac Company, has been named American Whiskey Producer of the Year by Drinks International’s International Spirits Challenge (ISC).

American drinks group Brown-Forman has announced the launch of its own distribution business in Slovakia, bringing distribution in-house for the first time since the company entered the market.

Pernod Ricard USA has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in peanut butter-flavored American whiskey brand Skrewball.

A new report by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has revealed that total US spirits exports reached a record $2.06bn in 2022, buoyed by the temporary halt to retaliatory tariffs, with American whiskey exports to the UK remaining lower than pre-tariff levels.

Bushmills Irish Whiskey has unveiled the tenth and final release from its current Causeway Collection, a 33 Year Old Port Cask, to be sold exclusively in World Duty-Free’s stores at Heathrow Airport.

Atlanta-based Shortbarrel has announced the acquisition of the Old Fourth Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in Atlanta, US.

Fercullen Irish Whiskey from the Powerscourt Estate will now be available across the US as a result of a new distribution partnership with Zamora Company USA.

Japanese brands take the big plaudits, with Nikka toppling Suntory a year after the reverse happened.

The revival of this category has been much talked about, but the leader is ahead by quite some margin.

There’s a return to the top spot after a three-year hiatus, but the brands remain largely unchanged from last year.

Campari Group has acquired an initial 15% interest in Howler Head Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, after the signing and closing of an agreement with Catalyst Spirits.

The Jack Daniel Distillery has introduced two additions to its core range, Jack Daniel’s Bonded and Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash.

Hazelwood Demesne Limited, owner of the Lough Gill Distillery in Sligo, has announced its acquisition by the Sazerac Company to develop the historical site.

Trade disputes resulting in crippling tariffs have been lifted after four years, but will America and its export countries find a permanent peace?

The Dubliner Irish Whiskey has announced the launch of a new cinnamon and chilli flavoured whiskey liqueur variant.

Walsh Whiskey has announced the release of new additions to The Irishman’s range of Irish single malt whiskey, featuring a new bottle design.

Pernod Ricard UK has expanded its American whiskey portfolio with Rabbit Hole making the UK the first European market to launch the brand.

If you had to bet your house on one brand topping a list, it would probably be Jameson in the Irish whiskey category.

Diageo’s Bulleit just about retained its position as the bestselling American whiskey in the World’s Best Bars.

Bushmills has appointed Alex Thomas as master blender at The Old Bushmills Distillery working across the entire portfolio and product development.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has called for the UK government to swiftly remove tariffs on US whiskies.

Diageo has become the first ever official spirits sponsor of the NFL.

The European Union has announced that it will temporarily suspend its tariff increase on American whiskey in an effort to reboot transatlantic relations.

“There aren’t many 70 year olds that get PhDs,” says Dr Jack Ó’Sé, one of the most understated members of the Irish whiskey industry.

Buffalo Trace has released its annual supply of Kosher whiskey which is set to arrive at retail in May this year.

BR Distilling Company in Memphis, US, has gained distribution across Texas as part of its rapid domestic expansion.

Kevin O’Gorman has unveiled his first Midleton Very Rare expression since taking over as master distiller at Irish Distillers.

Daddy Rack, an original Tennessee straight small batch whiskey, has launched in Scotland with plans for a wider UK roll out in March.

Michter’s has released its US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye 2020 in the UK.

Walsh Whiskey has appointed six new distributors in Eastern Europe in a bid to capitalise upon strong growth in the region.

Tullamore DEW brand ambassador John Quinn has been named the new chairman of trade group Drinks Ireland | Irish Whiskey Association.

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

The US government has announced that the existing 25% tariffs will remain on single malt Scotch for the foreseeable future.

American whiskey exports to EU have decreased by a third since the bloc imposed a 25% retaliatory tariff in June 2018.

AB InBev and Beam Suntory have announced a marketing collaboration between their Budweiser and Jim Beam brands.

The growing Irish Whiskey category gets its first page to itself this year. Hamish Smith explains why