Michael Vachon is to leave Maverick Drinks – the craft spirits distributor he co-founded in 2013 - at the end of this year.

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.

Fords Gin, the London Dry Gin created by Simon Ford and tenth generation master distiller Charles Maxwell, has announced the opening of its new bar and brand home.

Martha May Markham of Swift in London has won the UK final of the Unrivalled Classics cocktail competition by No.3 Gin.

Pernod Ricard-owned Japanese gin Ki No Bi has announced an investment in a new carbon-neutral, increased-capacity distillery.

Kranebet Botanic Gin Liqueur is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year with its original recipe dating back to 1924.

Friarwood wine and spirits merchant has announced it has gained exclusive rights to import Italian gin Seatrus in the UK.

Illva Saronno Holding has announced the acquisition of Engine gin to “strengthen its presence in the gin world”.

No.3 London Dry Gin has opened entries for its newly renamed 2024 global cocktail competition, Unrivalled Classics. 

Renais Spirits has announced a national distribution agreement in the US for Spring 2024, following its launch in the UK in May this year.

Spanish gin brand Puerto de Indias has announced its partnership for distribution in the UK with Love Drinks.

Brockmans Gin has launched its Orange Kiss edition, featuring the flavours of Triple sec and Valencia orange, crafted with traditional gin botanicals. 

Teaming up with former Tanqueray master distiller Tom Nichol, Hollywood star Brad Pitt has launched The Gardener Gin, set to make its debut at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival on 16 to 27 May.

London gin distiller, Hayman’s, has launched its first out of home (OOH) advertising campaign ‘The Original Gin’, to begin in London, rolled out internationally over the next few months.

La Martiniquaise has announced the acquisition of French spirit Generous Gin, to add to the group’s premium offer and its ‘Craft From France’ portfolio.

When UK chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt delivered his 2023 budget in the House of Commons, how you received it might’ve depended on your preferred tipple.

Singapore’s Atlas bar has launched its 'Simple Pleasures' drinking menu, designed and developed by head bartender Lidiyanah' Yana' K and the Atlas team.

Hendrick’s Gin has launched a new limited release from its 'Cabinet of Curiosities', Hendrick’s Flora Adora.

Gin may have fallen out of favour in the UK, but its prospects are much brighter in travel retail.

In memory of its late distiller, Nao Spirits and Beverages, the craft gin distillers form India, have announced the Jay Dhawan Scholarship in association with the Gin Guild. 

Outcast Brands, the creators of Blood Monkey Irish Gin, have announced that its flagship gin is now available in Canada through the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO).

The Drinks Trust has appointed Guy Lawrence, CEO of Brockman’s Gin, as the new chair of the charity following Troy Christensen’s two-year tenure.

The top spirit features in many classic cocktails, so it’s no surprise bartenders choose their pours carefully.

Scotland’s Isle of Harris Distillery has announced plans for a North American and European expansion following a £10 million funding package from HSBC UK.

Beefeater has announced that Desmond Payne MBE will be the brand’s first-ever master distiller emeritus in January 2023.

London dry gin producer Beefeater has announced the launch of Crown Jewel, the ultra-premium pinnacle of the brand’s gin portfolio that first appeared as a limited-edition release nearly two decades ago.

English gin, Brockmans, has expanded its brand management and marketing teams with drinks specialists, Eric Sampers and Helen Buchanan. 

Owner’s of Amázzoni, Brazil’s first craft gin, have arranged with their UK distributor the Nomad Collection, to donate £2 for every bottle of Amázzoni sold in the UK to NGO Vem do Xingu.

G’Vine gin, the French gin made with grapes, has announced Fred Sirieix as their first ever UK ambassador.

Kenyan gin distiller Procera has launched the 2022 annual vintage of its ultra-premium Red Dot and Green Dot gin expressions both distilled using fresh Juniperus procera harvested in the nearby Kenyan highlands.

Jack Daniel’s owner Brown-Forman has confirmed the purchase of gin brand Gin Mare from Spanish premium drinks company, Vantguard.

Japanese spirits brand Ukiyo has launched its Blossom Gin, Yuzu Gin, and Rice Vodka in New Zealand after agreeing a distribution deal.

Drinks International sits down with Spirit of Harrogate co-founder Marcus Black to talk heritage, sport, and how to create a gin that stands out from the crowd.

The UK’s on-trade and hospitality outlets are preferring to serve leading brands of gin and tonic as their house products instead of supporting local and small-batch counterparts, as market researcher Shepper finds. 

Gin-brand Elephant Gin has announced the launch of the Elephant Gin Foundation, an independent non-profit dedicated to protecting African wildlife.

Citadelle gin has come to London’s OXO Tower this summer, for its Summer Terrace, serving Citadelle gin cocktails inspired by southwest France.

Distell International’s Amarula African Gin is set to debut in Europe next month, starting with the UK, along with its Amarula Cream Liqueur, which has entered the European market for the first time.

Craft spirit producer Scapegrace Distilling Company has announced plans to develop New Zealand’s largest-ever distillery project in the Central Otago region.

Super-premium gin Brockmans has announced that one million bottles were sold within a 12-month period, a milestone for the brand.

Kenyan ultra-premium spirits producer, Procera Gin has announced a partnership with Axiom Brands to accelerate growth in the UK on- and off-trade.

United Spirits Limited (Diageo India) has announced an investment of INR 31.5 crores (US$ 4.1m) to acquire a strategic minority stake in Nao Spirits.

Hendrick’s have launched Neptunia, a limited-edition gin using Scottish coastal botanicals and the latest release from master distiller Lesley Gracie’s Cabinet of Curiosities collection.

Last year’s launch of Panther M*lk, a vegan oat milk RTD made with gin, rum, brandy and overproof spiced rum, shows just how quickly the pre-mixed cocktail industry has evolved since the days of mediocre Gin & Tonics.

Suffolk-based distillery Adnams has launched a high-strength gin distilled with ten times the botanicals to give the flavour of a full serve in a 2.5ml measure.

Topping gin for seven of the last nine years, Tanqueray is once again king gin. The Diageo brand, famed for its juniper forward Tanqueray London Dry and Tanqueray No. Ten gins, was the house choice in 25% of the world’s best bars.