Throughout the 18th and 19th century barrels of cognac were shipped across the world on huge sailing boats for months at a time to reach all corners of the Earth.

The case for Irish whiskey being the most exciting whiskey category globally gets stronger every year - and it is by no accident, says GreatDrams founder Greg Dillon.

The global alcoholic drinks industry will take at least four years to return to the level of volume sales seen before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to IWSR.

The language of rum

23 July, 2020

Language has immense power. It can start wars and broker peace; it can convey truth and espouse lies; it can lead to both understanding and misunderstanding. For rum, semantics is a particularly sore subject.

Mezcal is still in its infancy with consumers, so is it a good time to move to flavoured version, asks Shay Waterworth.

Following the recent International Women’s Day celebrations, one of the topics that has been highlighted is the neglect of women in the craft beer industry.

Irish whiskey is one of the most talked about spirits categories in the world – with a history dating back to the 12th century it is one of the oldest too.

Bailey Pryor, founder of The Real McCoy Rum which is produced at Foursquare Distillery in Barbados, has voiced concerns over opposition to Barbadian rum Geographic Indication proposals.

Vinexpo: Paris Beckons

30 January, 2020

Vinexpo’s first event in the French capital is already causing a stir as visitors and exhibitors count down the days, Christian Davis reports

Champagne: Passing the baton

14 November, 2019

Champagne has been going through a period of fundamental change over the past couple of years.

Design has a big impact on what people chose to drink and Rowena Curlewis, CEO of drinks design specialist Denomination, discusses the key factors which brands must consider in order to appeal to a wider range of consumers.

Angel Brown caught up with co-creator of the Smoky Signature Mixer, Max Venning. 

In May this year The Coca-Cola Company launched a range of mixers for Europe – Coca-Cola Signature Mixers, created by five leading bartenders and specifically designed to be mixed with dark spirits. 

It’s time drinks producers woke up to the benefits of good packaging design, says Philip Duff

It must be a bit of blow for Moët-Hennessy to lose their highest profile head winemaker, Dominique Demarville so soon after the retirement of the experienced Richard Geoffroy at Dom Pérignon.

For low-no read low-yes

11 June, 2019

John Downe MW on how the non-drinking generations are shaping a lower-alcohol industry

There’s a huge trend in the drinks world right now: people are drinking less - and brands are investing and innovating to serve this market, Dan Hooper, co-founder at YesMore explores.

When you get an invitation to be part of the “first ever whisky tasting in a decommissioned nuclear reactor, under the city of Stockholm”, it does make you sit up and take notice.

Drinks brands looking to broaden consumer appeal and user occasions should look to other categories - Denomination's Margaret Nolan.

The Balvenie recently launched its new range of single malts called Stories, Ian Buxton explores the latest expressions.

When cocktail royalty such as Alex Kratena and Monica Berg start adopting a particular serve approach, chances are it’s going to be big. Shay waterworth reports

Pre-mixed cocktails are rapidly shucking off the stigma that linked them with the sugary confections of yesteryear. Angel Brown reports

I had 720 bottles I had to sell in order to pay my rent, which was due in three weeks. I didn’t have another job so I just had to get out there and start knocking on doors.”

China’s love of a fiery grain liquor made Kweichow Moutai Co the world’s most valuable alcohol distiller, and the company’s approach has been to milk that demand for all its worth.

Liqueurs: Sweet Dreams

30 April, 2019

There’s more to liqueurs than meets the eye. Philip Duff ventures into a world beyond cocktails for these sugary – and not so sugary – drinks.

A fortune to be made

30 April, 2019

As the chinese new year begins, Shay Waterworth assesses the state of a spirits market that’s opening up to western companies

Denny Potter gives Shay Waterworth the lowdown on how he finally got his dream job as master distiller at Maker’s Mark

Philip Duff considers the difficulties of funding a new business in the world of hospitality

The 2018 grape harvest in germany will go down in history as a truly outstanding vintage. Christian davis reports amid the euphoria

Cava: Quality compares

26 March, 2019

Cava has suffered with a perception problem in the shadow of champagne and prosecco, but that could be about to change, finds Chris Wilson

Bulk punches above weight

26 March, 2019

Reporting from the World Bulk Wine Exhibition, Shay Waterworth found an innovative and informative global community

Aperitivo bitters have seen a surge in popularity in recent years. Philip Duff examines the factors that have led to this rejuvenation

Wine: China et al

26 March, 2019

Is the chinese dragon acquiring a taste for wine? Christian Davis reports from Prowine China, Shanghai

The booming bar scene in China is growing at a breathtaking pace and former bartender and now Asian businessman Christopher Lowder, talked to Shay Waterworth about the future of the industry.

Alexandre Ricard, the chief executive officer of Pernod Ricard SA, has little room for maneuver, says Bloomberg reporters Thomas Buckley and Scott Deveau.

Raki: The lion's share

06 February, 2019

Like all Mediterranean countries, Turkey boasts its own anise-flavoured spirit. But raki is about more than just the drink, finds Clinton Cawood

Forward thinking and decisive, Dr Anne Brock is the latest recruit to the gin industry’s family of master distillers. Shay Waterworth meets the woman with Bombay Sapphire in her charge

Premium mixers are becoming more important in both the on and off-trade as they appeal to consumers drinking less alcohol. Tracy West reports

Diageo and Pernod Ricard are some of the biggest beverage companies in the world. But now there is a new player positioning itself for serious international growth. Shay Waterworth flew to Romania to pay them a visit.

For producers of Indian single malt whisky, 2018 was a year of consolidation. and, argues Dominic Roskrow, potentially the calm before the storm

Cream liqueurs need to steer away from just Christmas and towards younger consumers. Jaq Bayles reports

Cape 2018: Crossroads

24 January, 2019

The good news – the crisis over drought seems to have receded after recent rains. the bad news – vines are being grubbed up as farmers are finding grape-producing unprofitable and switching to other crops. Christian Davis reports from the event

Some of the shine may have come off Chianti since its 1980s heyday, but producers are showing they're determined to put it back on the map, finds Chris Wilson

The quality of Spanish brandy is every bit as good as cognac and armagnac, but how does it come out of the French shadow? Christian Davis ruminates

Chivas bros’ master distiller Alan Winchester received the International Spirits Challenge prestigious lifetime achievement award in 2018. Christian Davis meets him

Pick of the Launches

15 January, 2019

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

Tom Harvey, new client director at YesMore explains the dangers surrounding marketing on Instagram for alcohol brands and offers some sollutions to these issues.

Port: Steady as she goes

03 January, 2019

Port is one of the great wine styles and it is a case of keeping it on course these days. Christian Davis reports

Vermouth has made a sudden and impactful mark on the drinks scene in a very short space of time. Philip Duff looks at the reasons behind the meteoric rise of this aromatised, fortified wine

Pioneer whiskey makers are attempting to forge a new identity for their American whiskey single malts. Shay Waterworth finds out how.

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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.

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