Authenticity, heritage and craftsmanship – those were the keynote themes of this year’s City Debate hosted by the Worshipful Company of Distillers.

Diageo Reserve has unveiled the first citrus offering in its Cîroc UK portfolio, Pink Grapefruit.

Beam Suntory has released a ‘new take’ on Jim Bean Kentucky Straight Bourbon into the UK.

The Worshipful Company of Distillers’ City Debate this year tackles the controversial subject of ‘Craft Spirits – Friend or Foe of Global Brands?’

The Sazerac Company has announced a partnership with aquavit Lysholm Linie and ArcusGruppen as its sole importer in the US.

Whyte & Mackay and Cognac House Camus have entered into a new partnership to manage the distribution of Camus cognacs and Ungava gin in the UK.

Beam Suntory has unveiled its latest Booker’s Bourbon for the US market, Batch 2015-06 ‘Noe Secret’.

The global spirits market will pass the 3.2bn-case mark by the year 2020, according to the IWSR. 

Mezcal sales value is growing at 22% and now amounts to $88m a year, according to the Consejo Regulador del Mezcal.

Diageo is hoping to “re-imagine” Smirnoff as a true challenger rather than a tired leader by appealing to Millennials. 

Global Brands has launched House of Cocktails, a new range of premixed cocktails available to the UK off trade.

Drinks International is still accepting entries to its new-look Cocktail Challenge.

Diageo’s Turkish operation Mey Icki is under investigation by Turkey’s antitrust authority, according to reports.

After the release of The Millionaires' Club 2015, contributor and Euromonitor International's senior drinks analyst Jeremy Cunnington gives us his take on the spirits market's performance in 2014.

Pernod Ricard unveiled Jameson Wild Sloe Berry Bitters at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans last week.

The Millionaires' Club, Drinks International's report on the largest selling spirits brands, is now available to download.

Lejay Noir de Bourgogne was named Supreme Champion at the 20^th International Spirits Challenge ceremony yesterday.

Bacardi has completed the acquisition of Leblon cachaça, having owned a share of the brand for several years.

William Grant & Sons has announced that it is the official spirits & champagne tournament provider to the Rugby World Cup 2015 which starts in September.

Martin Riley, Pernod Ricard’s former chief marketing officer, has joined brand marketing agency, Nude Brand Creation.

Jinro soju has retained its position as the number one selling spirit brand in the world, ahead of Emperador brandy, according to Drinks International’s Millionaires’ Club 2015.

Approximately 3.4 million middle aged people who drink regularly are going to have health problems, according to an alcohol education charity.

Dominic Roskrow has won Drinks Writer of the Year at the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drinks Awards 2015 for articles published in Drinks International magazine.

It is the last call for entry to The Millionaires' Club 2015, the annual supplement from Drinks International that lists the best selling spirits in the world.

Distell has made two top management changes to accommodate expansion in global travel retail and Taiwan.

Drinks International’s regular spirits writer Dominic Roskrow has been short-listed for a coveted Fortnum & Mason Food and Drinks Award for work carried out for Drinks International.

Bacardi has launched a spirit distilled entirely from green tea leaves for the Asian market. 

Diageo has become the first multi-national alcohol company to provide consumers with nutrition and alcohol content information per typical serve.

Mast-Jägermeister has reported a 5.6% decline in annual sales volumes due to “challenging trading conditions” in the US market. 

Suntory Holdings has announced 2014 yielded sales of 2.5 trillion yen, up 20% year on year, and operating income of 165 billion yen, up 30%.

Pernod Ricard has reported sales and profit growth of +1% for H1 2014/2015, after declines in China and the US halted overall advances.

Bartending duo Thomas Aske and Tristan Stephenson launched a range of pre-mixed drinks yesterday at their London bar, Worship Street Whistling Shop.

Diageo has appointed a digital and e-commerce manager for Europe – a new role created to unify the company’s digital practices and develop a comprehensive digital presence.

Distil plc, owner of brands including Blavod Black vodka, Blackwoods gin and vodka, and RedLeg rum, has announced the appointment of Shaun Claydon, as finance director with immediate effect.

Bacardi has announced an internal appointment of a new regional president for Europe.

Diageo has reported negative trading for the first half of its 2014/2015 financial year, thanks to volume declines in all of its regions except Africa.

Data research company Euromonitor International has said Diageo’s upcoming six months results may not reflect the company’s long-term growth prospects.

The Cotswolds Distillery has announced it will launch its flagship Dry Gin in the US after securing a deal with MHW ltd. 

Here we look at the brands used by the World's 50 Best Bars in cocktails.

In the best selling ranks, muscle matters. 

Welcome to the World's 50 Best Bars Brands Report 2015, a spin-off survey that tells us what brands sell best in the best bars in the world.

The International Wine and Spirit Research (IWSR) has announced a partnership with the INSEEC Wine & Spirits Institute.

Diageo and Sean 'Diddy' Combs have unveiled an expanded DeLeón Tequila portfolio.

Asia remains the key region for the long-term development of the global alcohol market, according to the IWSR’s latest report.

The Avalon Group has released three spirits on the eve of TFWA Cannes. 

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s Spirits Committee has elected Finn O’Driscoll, managing director of SHS Drinks, as its new chairman. He replaces Chris Searle.

First unveiled to Drinks International in Cuba earlier this year, Havana Club has unveiled a new set of bitters, Essence of Cuba.

Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits has announced the inaugural release from the Exceptional Casks Collection. 

Cointreau has announced plans to unveil Cointreau Noir to the UK at London Cocktail Week.

Disaronno has unveiled a new bottle, designed by luxury fashion house, Versace.