Total US spirits exports hit a record high in 2023 boosted by the EU’s suspension of tariffs on American whiskey, according to a new report by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).

Traditional though this category may seem, there have been changes at the top and the introduction of new names.

There’s no sign that the giant of this category, Jameson, is in any danger of being toppled from its number one spot.

­This sector is nothing if not consistent, as evidenced by the minimal change in the bestsellers.

Japan continues to dominate in this category with two names in particular standing out.

Whisky producer, The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC), and owner of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), has acquired US-based independent bottling brand, Single Cask Nation.

Never Say Die, the UK-based Kentucky straight bourbon has announced its launch in the US following its UK launch in September 2022.

French spirits maker, Pernod Ricard has announced the launch of The Chuan Pure Malt Whisky in China.

Irish Distillers, the Irish whiskey subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, has announced the appointment of Dave McCabe as master blender.

UK single malt whisky Jura has announced the retirement of distillery manager Graham Logan, following three decades of service.

Michter’s has been named The World’s Most Admired Whisky brand in the third edition of the annual top 50 list released by Drinks International.

Irish whiskey giant Jameson has announced the launch of a 21 year old whiskey aged entirely in rum seasoned casks.

Distillers are calling for the permanent removal of EU imposed “debilitating tariffs” on American whiskey, which are scheduled to be reimposed and doubled to 50% on 1 January 2024.

The Distillers’ Charity hosted its second biennial One of One Auction, in partnership with Sotheby’s, comprising a selection of ultra-rare Scotch whiskies.

Edinburgh’s Holyrood Distillery has announced the release of its inaugural whisky, one of the first single malts to be produced in the Scottish capital in a century.

Chivas Brothers, Pernod Ricard’s dedicated Scotch whisky arm, has announced plans for its first distillery on the Scottish island of Islay.

For the fourth year in a row, Buffalo Trace owner, Sazerac Company, has been named American Whiskey Producer of the Year by Drinks International’s International Spirits Challenge (ISC).

The Cask Whisky Association (CWA) has launched to create a safe environment for whisky enthusiasts and customers to buy and sell casks.

The House of Suntory has announced the launch of a centennial Hibiki 21-Year-Old release and a limited edition Hibiki Japanese Harmony to mark the 100^th anniversary of the Japanese whisky distillery.

Isle of Skye single malt distillery Torabhaig has announced the launch of Allt Gleann, a batch strength release that completes the current chapter of the Torabhaig Legacy Series.

The Macallan has introduced The Macallan Colour Collection, a new range of age statement whiskies, exclusively available in global travel retail.

Bladnoch Distillery has appointed a new leadership team to help accelerate its global growth. 

American drinks group Brown-Forman has announced the launch of its own distribution business in Slovakia, bringing distribution in-house for the first time since the company entered the market.

Edrington UK has announced the appointment of its latest UK brand diplomat for Maker’s Mark bourbon, Charlotte Pederson.

Irish whiskey liqueur Shanky’s Whip has signed a new distribution deal with global drinks distributor Amber Beverage Group.

A new survey conducted by the OurWhisky Foundation has detailed the extent of sexism that women working in the whisky industry face.

Islay single malt Ardbeg has released Ardbeg Anthology: The Harpy’s Tale, the first of a new experimental series from the LVMH brand.

Fife distillery InchDairnie, has announced the release of a Scottish Pot Still whisky as the latest edition to its experimental PrinLaws Collection.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced that Scotch whisky has been registered as a trademark in Hong Kong, following the success of its application.

Maker’s Mark has debuted its Cellar Aged Bourbon, an annual, global limited-release expression.

Campbeltown’s Glen Scotia distillery has announced the launch of a limited-edition 48 year old single malt priced at £11,000 ($14,000 USD). 

Diageo has announced its preliminary results, year ended 30 June, reporting net sales of £17.1 billion, increased 10.7%, primarily reflecting strong organic net sales growth, and favourable impacts from foreign exchange.

Bruichladdich Distillery co-founder, Simon Coughlin, will officially retire on 31 July, after more than 23 years with the Hebridean distillery.

Jameson Irish Whiskey has been unveiled as an official partner of the English Football League (EFL) ahead of the 2023/24 season. 

Islay distillery, Bruichladdich, has redesigned its signature The Classic Laddie, removing the secondary tin and significantly reducing glass weight to reduce packaging CO₂ emissions by 65%.

Danish whisky brand Stauning has partnered with Sipwell Brands as the exclusive travel retail sales and brand-building partner across multiple international markets. 

Bladnoch Distillery, the oldest privately-owned Scotch whisky distillery in the Lowlands, has announced the launch of its new collection of whiskies: The Samhla Collection. 

Beam Suntory has launched Ardray, a new blended scotch created by Beam Suntory’s chief blender Calum Fraser in collaboration with the Suntory blending team from Japan.

After five years in the position, The Glenmorangie Company president and chief executive Thomas Moradpour is stepping down to be replaced by Caspar MacRae, the current global marketing and business development director.

England’s own Kentucky Bourbon, Never Say Die has expanded its collection with a new small-batch Bourbon.

London’s 40FT Brewery and East London Liquor Company have announced the launch of a collaborative single malt whisky produced entirely within Dalston’s E8 postcode.

The Macallan gave a first glimpse of its Colour Collection, a new range of whiskies exploring the brand’s commitment to delivering natural colour through maturation in sherry seasoned casks.

Elements of Islay is releasing its Beach Bonfire, a limited edition of 288 bottles which will be exclusively available at Islay’s festival Fèis Ìle on 26 May to 3 June 2023.

Scotch whisky distillery Bladnoch, has announced its latest release, The Dragon Series, a collection of five single malt whiskies.

Islay distilleries Lagavulin and Caol Ila have announced the launch of two single malts to celebrate the return of the island’s music and whisky festival Fèis Ìle.

Proximo has officially opened its £37m distillery in Northern Ireland which is poised to double the production of Bushmills Irish Whiskey.

La Martiniquaise-Bardinet has released a new Anniversary Limited Edition bottling to celebrate 100 years of Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky.

The Macallan has revealed the next instalment in its series celebrating the classic advertising campaigns of the brand, Folio 7.

Morris Whisky has launched in the UK market this Spring with its Signature and Muscat Barrel whiskies, founded in Australia in 2016.

Fettercairn Distillery has announced the fifth and final instalment of its ‘Warehouse Collection’, Warehouse 14, an experimental limited edition release, from master whisky maker Gregg Glass.