Sydney-based brewing group, Lion, has completed its takeover of Australian spirits producer Four Pillars for an undisclosed sum. 

High Point, the fermented non-alcoholic aperitif and digestif brand, has changed its name to Wavelength and unveiled a new logo. 

Mixer brand The London Essence, Calvados brand Avallen and low carbon, low waste spirits distribution technology ecoSpirits, have joined together to create ‘The Sustainable Spritz’, a low waste serve that eliminates single use glass.

Korean Soju brand Jinro has once again topped the list of Drinks International’s The Millionaires’ Club having sold more than 100m 9-litre cases in 2022.

Edrington UK, supplier of whisky and cognac, has launched a podcast series, The Stillhouse Podcast, hosted by UK spirits expert, Becky Paskin.

Russian police have uncovered a factory producing counterfeit alcohol, including fake Johnnie Walker Black Label and other brands.

The Boatyard Distillery is introducing a series of initiatives, beginning 17 April, to celebrate Earth Day, held each year on 22 April.

Everleaf non-alcoholic aperitif has become B-Corp certified, marking a major milestone in the brand's sustainability journey, which has been key to the business since its launch in 2019.

Havana Club owner, Pernod Ricard, has reported 19% organic sales growth in the first half of fiscal 2023, with all spirits segments seeing double-digit growth.

Irish spirits maker, The Boatyard Distillery, has announced it has earned B-Corporation certification.

California, US has introduced a bill to allow spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages to be sold under the same licence as beer and wine.

Non-alcoholic spirits brand, Crossip, has expanded into new markets across Europe, GCC and North America, alongside key local distribution partners.

Flavour company Empirical has announced the UK launch of its two latest spirits, SOKA (43% abv) and Symphony 6 (40% abv).

Dubai has scrapped its 30% tax on alcohol sales for the rest of the year in an apparent bid to boost tourism, while also stopping the charge on personal alcohol licences, something residents who wish to drink at home are required to have.

This month, Buffalo Trace Distillery will launch The Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned Trolley, in partnership with JW Marriott Grosvenor House London.

The Spirit of Manchester Distillery has launched its first ever members’ club to give experimental drinkers and whisky enthusiasts the chance to follow the journey of the City’s first single malt English whisky, One Point Six, from cask to glass.

Iichiko shochu has signed an importer agreement with Shaw-Ross International Importers to expand its availability across the US.

Diageo has announced the sale of Archers, the Peach Schnapps brand, to De Kuyper Royal Distillers. 

Pernod Ricard has released its FY22 Results, showing that sales grew organically by 17% in 2022, equalling €10.7m, with sales growing by double digits across each of its regions and spirit categories.

Edrington UK has announced the appointment of its latest UK Brand Ambassador for the House of Suntory, Raffaele Di Monaco.

Avallen Spirits, certified B Corp, have published their second Bee More Report, the company’s annual self-publication of their environmental impact for the year running 1 May to 31 April. 

The non-alcoholic spirits category debuted in last year’s report, but the sector has quickly taken root and now no drinks group’s portfolio is complete without one.

Distil, owner of premium drinks brands including RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Trøve Botanical Spirit, has announced a £5m investment into the new Ardgowan Distillery in Inverkip, Scotland.

Beefeater has announced Beefeater Botanics Lemon & Ginger, a 27.5% abv spirit drink.

Non-alcoholic spirits brand Strykk has secured new distribution agreements in the Netherlands and Canada.

Avallen has announced a global partnership with UK-based Charter Brands to drive new routes to market beyond Europe, Hong Kong & Australia.

Diddy, David Beckham and Ryan Reynolds have donated $1 million to several organisations that support the bartending community.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has produced new guidance around the labelling of low and no alcohol drinks in the UK market.

Drinks company Avallen Spirits is now a member of 1% for the Planet, the charitable platform created by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard.

We asked our sample of 100 of the best bars in the world to rank their bestselling classic cocktails. Hamish Smith provides the commentary. 

If the other lists in this report speak of the bestselling and the trending brands in the world of elite bars, this ranking is different. Here we ask about bartenders’ favourite spirits.

The rise in non-alcoholic alternatives has led to the sector’s inaugural list in the Brands Report 2021, with Diageo’s Seedlip sitting pretty in the rankings.

Stoli Group has agreed on a new distribution deal with Amber Beverage Group for its brands in Mexico through local distributor Bodegas La Negrita.

Italian vermouth brand Molinari has launched a limited edition bottle design to mark its 75th anniversary.

Campari UK has taken over the distribution rights of chilli liqueurs Ancho Reyes and mezcal brand Montelobos with immediate effect.

Finnish low alcohol spirit Kåska has targeted Hong Kong after its first batch sold out domestically within hours.

Non-alcoholic aperitif brand Everleaf has seen a direct-to-consumer (DTC) online sales spike, with sales in the four weeks leading up to 21 April 2020 up by 950% year-on-year.

Research conducted by IWSR Drinks Market Analysis showed that the value of the status spirits market (brands that retail for US$100 or more) is $8.3bn, excluding baijiu.

The Brands Report is a snapshot of the buying habits of the best bars in the world.

You can’t beat the classics, but every year there’s change within their ranks somewhere. Hamish Smith rounds up this year’s top 50

The Drinks International Annual Brands Report 2020 has launched in digital form.

Altia has set out plans to make its production carbon-neutral by 2025. Its goals cover both Altia’s direct fossil emissions and those generated by purchased energy.

Heaven Hill has appointed Proof Drinks as its UK distributor to look after its spirits portfolio.

Amber Beverage Group has made Spirit France the distributor of its fill portfolio in France.

David Wojnar, VP of state government relations for the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, has called for increased spirits outlets across the US state of Pennsylvania.

BrewDog Distilling Company CEO David Gates joined Drinks International to discuss the new direction the company has taken with its spirits in 2019.

Strike action has been halted at Diageo’s Scottish distilleries after GMB Scotland and Unite unions settled with the spirits company.

Ryan Chetiyawardana has been ranked as the world's most influential bar industry figure in the new Drinks International magazine Bar World 100.

No.3 London Dry Gin from Berry Bros & Rudd was last night hailed as this year’s International Spirits Challenge ‘Supreme Spirit’, as chosen blind by ISC judges from the Challenge’s trophy winners.

Comte de Grasse who own 44°N Gin, will be opening a new distillery visitor centre in Grasse, the perfume region of France.