Ed Cottrell, new managing director for global travel retail at William Grant & Sons, is convinced of the need to constantly renew the company’s product portfolio, the former soldier talks to Joe Bates

Joe Bates details the shortlisted contenders for this year’s Travel Retail Challenge, winners to be announced in Cannes on October 4

Bob Nolet might have been born into the family business, but that didn’t stop him working his way up from the bottom. Hamish Smith meets the man

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine October edition.

Adult soft drinks have come a long way and now offer a viable, sophisticated alternative to their alcoholic counterparts. Tracy West reports

It’s been all about the Malbec in Argentina for quite some time, but now winemakers are backing blends as the way forward. Christian Davis reports

From sealing to feeling… and sparkling all over. Sally Easton MW reports on the latest in closure innovation

Cider’s pulling in punters with its vast array of flavour variants. Tracy West looks at how various brands are capitalising on consumers’ love of fruit

While some brand owners are starting to list nutritional information on labels, cream liqueurs are not so far among them. Holly Motion looks at why

Brandy de jerez has failed to travel well in the past, but Lily Giménez finds new attractions could be bringing in the imbibers

Once Scotland’s youngest master blender, Richard Paterson is the ultimate educator when it comes to scotch. Christian Davis gets to the heart of the man

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine September edition.

A pictorial tribute to all the individuals and teams who took away trophies on the night

The wines of the Middle East have been characterised by Château Musar for many years. But new techniques mean change is in the air, says Michael Karam

Given the nature and spread of cocktail bars, it’s tough to pinpoint global trends. but Hamish Smith gets some insights from the experts

Irish whiskey is on a roll, reports Christian Davis, with increasing numbers of consumers discovering its charms worldwide

Strega is an old brand with traditional values at its heart – and that’s how Antonio Savarese intends it to stay, finds Hamish Smith

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine August edition.

The key to increasing armagnac sales is to educate both the trade and consumers, producers tell Henry Jeffreys

From being a stigmatised and marginalised group, the LGBT community is now sought after by all manner of marketers – not least in the alcohol industry. Holly Motion reports

Holly Motion reports on the ISC Brandy & Cognac, Rum, Pisco, Armagnac & Calvados and design and packaging awards.

Jeff Evans looks at how brewers are enjoying the new freedom of the craft movement to experiment with all manner of ingredients

Spain’s best known premium wine-producing region has been rocked by a small but influential boutique producer leaving the designation of origin. Christian Davis reports

Shochu, the spirit of Japan, is wonderfully versatile, according to Elliot Faber – and it won’t be long before we all know more about it

Rum may enjoy a reputation as the fun-lover’s drink, but it’s at the mercy of those who are giving it a bad name. quality is now paramount, reports Holly Motion

Indian whisky has had its ups and downs over the years, but distillers’ talk of a quality revolution suggests it’s back in the ascendant. Dominic Roskrow reports

There is nothing duty free about being founder and president of the Tax Free World Association. Christian Davis meets Erik Juul-Mortensen

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine July edition.

Holly Motion finds Pernod Ricard’s Charles-Armand de Belenet in high spirits about the long-term future for cognac in China

While Rioja continues to steal the limelight for Spanish wines, two other established regions are pushing for greater airtime, reports Charlotte Hey

Chile is focusing on its image and product quality, particularly from new places and with new blends. Christian Davis reports

Sambuca’s failure to premiumise with any kind of fanfare has left it losing out to tequila. holly motion looks at how the italian spirit can fan the flames of success

Kentucky’s bourbon industry has undergone its most intensive period in decades. But, as Dominic Roskrow reports, it’s emerging from the upheaval in fine shape

Gautom Menon is the man behind Wild Tiger Rum. Hamish Smith finds out how he earned his stripes

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine June edition.

The gin guild’s director general, Nicolas Cook, examines why consumers, media and the on-trade have helped bring about the renaissance of gin

Can gin survive the plethora of new brands flooding the market? Ian Buxton reports

If you’re after a quality mixer with authentic ingredients, tonic’s your answer. Tracy West reports

Hamish Smith gathers some of the trade’s thoughts on where gin is at and where it’s going

Spain is a huge gin market but it has to be gin & tonic – even if some don’t like the taste. Christian Davis reports

After years of stagnating sales gin is flying in travel retail as brands big and small, old and new look to exploit the potential this niche retail channel offers. Joe Bates reports.

Elite bartenders are increasingly working like chefs in sourcing and handling fruit and veg for garnishes in cocktails. But do they follow good hygiene practices and are they properly equipped? Christian Davis reports

On March 31 and April 1 the great and the good gathered to taste this year’s International Spirits Challenge’s white spirits contenders.

It might have gained notoriety as an ingredient in James bond’s signature drink, but Vermouth’s reach is far wider, reports Holly Motion.

Younger consumers are boosting sales of fruit-flavoured wines in a fast-growing category. Holly Motion reports on the new hybrid cuvée.

Gin is thriving, but as more and more producers enter the market, there’s confusion as to what it should and can be. So where is the category heading? Dominic Roskrow reports

The large-brand, big volume bitters are enjoying the fallout of the cocktail boom. Hamish Smith reports on their fortunes.

Are gins set to offer the world a spirits category as diverse and exciting as single malts? It’s not beyond the realms of possibility, reports Dominic Roskrow

A round-up of some of the most recent gin products.

Anecdotally cocktail bitters is a buoyant market, but the industry is in the dark as to its size. Hamish Smith looks to shine a light