on 02 October, 2015
Over the past year I have heard several people in the travel retail sector grandly refer to their business as the ‘sixth continent’, to underline just how important the channel has become to the drinks industry.
Comment
on 25 September, 2015
After the "normalisation" of Cuban-American relations this summer, DI's business columunist Hamish Smith tells us when to expect the doors of bussiness to swing open and what it will mean for the rum industry
How would you define ‘Irish whiskey’?
18 September, 2015
It’s not as stupid a question as it might first seem. It’s a spirit made from grain, yeast and water in the country of Ireland, right?
on 30 July, 2015
Despite some gloomy reactions among city analysts to Diageo’s full year results to June 2015, chief executive Ivan Menezes was very upbeat at his briefing to journalists and city analysts in a top London restaurant today (July 30).
Patience Gould puts in a good word for the multinationals who are promoting spirits and helping to bring them more into the mainstream
Cocktail Corner: Lime, Sugar and Rum
15 June, 2015
World’s 50 Best Bars academy member, Jan Warren, kicks off the first in a series of cocktail columns with a focus on the Daiquiri
Pure Gould on what it means to be handcrafted
10 April, 2015
Patience Gould looks at a titan of the vodka world and how its ‘handcrafted’ approach is appealing to the Millennial generation
on 13 March, 2015
Drinks International's editor Christian Davis on Jameson's bottle your own initiative.
Pure Gould on Vinopolis closure
09 March, 2015
Patience Gould gives the lowdown on some of the changes and improvements being introduced at this year’s Vinexpo
DI's Christian Davis on Pernod's roundtable
16 February, 2015
Drinks International's editor Christian Davis was at Pernod Ricard's roundtable.
on 29 January, 2015
Drinks International's editor Christian Davis was at Diageo's half-year results briefing.
on 06 January, 2015
Patience Gould sees in the new year with a Sunset Boulevardier – and celebrates the latest from Chivas Regal
on 15 December, 2014
Or does it just need to be pumped up, asks Ian Harris – CEO of WSET
on 04 December, 2014
Patience Gould assesses what’s going on as things shake up in the tequila and Irish whiskey categories
on 28 October, 2014
Patience Gould witnesses an historic moment in Bombay Sapphire’s history – and raises her glass to the company behind the brand
on 13 October, 2014
Patience Gould gets to grips with her new favourite read – and wishes she could ask the author some questions regarding the world’s current state
on 19 September, 2014
Patience Gould is entranced by Cointreau’s literary offering – and its contribution to her new favourite drink, the Margarita
on 30 May, 2014
Another one of those low key informal briefings this time revolving around the new Johnnie Walker expression: John Walker Private Collection 2014. As has become customary, held in London’s Soho, officiated over by Diageo’s head of whisky outreach, Nick Morgan and in the hot seat a jet and train-lagged master distiller, Jim Beveridge.
on 27 May, 2014
As the Scottish referendum looms, Patience Gould ponders the possible fate of the scotch whisky industry if EU membership is lost
on 15 May, 2014
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It’s hard to know what Diageo is really thinking. But sat at the trade tasting of Haig Club in London yesterday, I had a glimpse into its inner workings.
on 12 May, 2014
Hamish Smith was at The Distillers City Debate, where the future of rum was the topic of discussion
Warning: may contain nuts
07 May, 2014
Peter Holland explains how rum, above all other categories, is vulnerable to mis-labelling
on 01 May, 2014
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Patience Gould was unsure about Diageo’s latest approach to Scotch marketing, but is coming round to David Beckham and blue bottles
on 09 April, 2014
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Gruppo Campari has become a major force in the global drinks industry. Patience Gould looks back on its humble beginnings
on 27 March, 2014
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The flags of war are unfurled and hoisted, and the powerhouses of the spirits industry have readied their infantry. The battle of Flavoured Scotch can now begin.
on 14 March, 2014
Patience Gould has been following the fortunes of the drinks giants – and of the countries where they seek those fortunes
on 11 March, 2014
Last night in London kilts and headdresses collided as two very distinct worlds united. It’s hard to imagine there has ever been a more amusingly incongruous marriage than Scotland and Brazil.
on 18 February, 2014
The Pernod Ricard team were in London today (February 18) to flesh on the bones for their half year interim results which were announced last week.
on 31 January, 2014
Playing the numbers game Diageo’s interim results for the six months to December 31 which were reported yesterday (January 30), make bleak reading.
on 24 January, 2014
Patience Gould charts the ups and downs of Whyte & Mackay as the distiller once more goes on the market
on 03 January, 2014
There’s been a shift in the way drinks are marketed. Patience Gould looks at the new worthy contenders
on 13 December, 2013
Jan Konetzki, head sommelier at several Gordon Ramsay restaurants, has outlined the dos and don’ts of pitching wine to sommeliers.
on 10 December, 2013
A scotch whisky distiller, when asked recently if he made any blends, was gloriously sniffy and dismissive of blended whisky. It would have been interesting to see and hear what he would have made of the Johnnie Walker Directors Blends, which I got to taste last Thursday (November 28) in London.
on 04 December, 2013
Last night (Tuesday December 3), I attended a tasting of Balblair vintages. We tasted five whiskies, 2003, 1997, 1990, 1983 and 1969, prefaced by a glass of Balblair’s base spirit.
on 28 November, 2013
I have just returned from the celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of Havana Club International. Standing in a huge hall with more than 1,000 people – mostly employees but also people associated with the company and the eponymous Cuban rum brand – it became obvious what a force for good an alcoholic drinks brand can be.
on 02 October, 2013
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Last night I was at the London Gin Summit, which, contrary to its lofty title, was a relatively low-key meeting of drinks commentators and producers bound by a common craft, encircled by a common road (...the M25). The premise for the summit was the question: ‘should London-distilled gin be protected?’ and this is what happened...
on 01 October, 2013
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Steffin Oghene talks tequila at El Fortaleza, one of the distilleries visited on a tour of the region
on 05 August, 2013
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Brokeback Mountain: Ardbeg runners show the love for Saddle [sic] whose back hampered progresss over Islay's hills
on 02 August, 2013
Former Drinks International editor Patience Gould takes a look at the great age debate that’s aging in the whisky sector.
on 31 July, 2013
Listening to BBC Radio 4 this morning (July 31), I heard the voice of the new chief executive of Diageo. Ivan Menezes coped well with the busy, bustling questions from the Beeb’s city correspondent in the minute or so allotted to the interview.
on 21 June, 2013
Former Drinks International editor Patience Gould enjoys cocktail innovation from Cognac and Japan
on 20 June, 2013
You don’t often go to a whisky tasting and get given raspberry sorbet, half way through. Sniffing strawberry and getting a vanilla stick stuck up your nose, isn’t common either.
on 29 May, 2013
Standing listening last night to The Macallan’s brand ambassador, Joy Elliot, who was conducting a tasting of the new 1824 Series at the Whisky Shop in London’s Piccadilly, I could not resist a feeling of déjà vu.
on 10 May, 2013
I became an honorary Gin Rectifier last night (May 9). I took an oath and now I am duty bound to promote the best interests of gin.
on 09 May, 2013
I went to two whisky launches yesterday (May 8) – Bacardi’s Glen Deveron, the Royal Burgh Collection and Pernod Ricard/Chivas Brothers’ The Glenlivet Alpha. Both interesting for different reasons and very much a case of ‘chalk & cheese’ when it comes to the brand and what they are doing with it.
on 07 May, 2013
So, London Wine Fair organisers have bowed to the inevitable and announced that the new UK-only show will return to Olympia in 2014. It was always a bit of a gamble shifting the old war horse out to London Docklands, even if it was to a purpose-built exhibition complex.
on 03 May, 2013
I attended the Worshipful Company of Distillers’ City Debate on Gin last night. I have to say I think it was an opportunity missed.
on 30 April, 2013
Another great food and wine matching event at the Cinnamon Club in London last night (April 29). This time hosted by Wines of Germany with master of wine Jeannie Cho Lee leading the charge for Riesling and Spatburgunder (or Pinot Noir).
on 26 April, 2013
Former Drinks International editor Patience Gould gets a bee in her bonnet about honeyed whiskies
on 26 April, 2013
Former Drinks International editor Patience Gould finds the trend for reducing alcoholic strength can compromise the spirit
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Ben Branson
Ben Branson on the future of non-alc spirits
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.
