Chivas director of blending Sandy Hyslop said the company had anticipated changes to the scotch whisky laws allowing for the launch of Chivas Extra 13 in March.

In October 2020, Mickey Heads will retire as Ardbeg Distillery Manager after 13 years in the role.

Irish Distillers has unveiled a new look for its Powers Irish whiskey brand. The rebrand is meant to attract a new generation of drinkers to, historically, one of Ireland’s key whiskey brands.

This catch-all category, taking in global whiskies (outside of American, scotch and Irish) tends to be dominated by Japan.

In the bar channel, Irish whiskey might take a back seat to American styles, and even scotch, but few venues don't have a small collection on their back bar.

Because so many classics call for bourbon and rye, scotch has never been the go-to whisky in cocktail bars, but it is certainly now much more in the thinking.

With the proliferation of distilleries continent-wide, North American whiskey is no longer the sole domain of its heartlands Kentucky and Tennessee.

Japanese spirits company Suntory has invested in Indian whisky to take on Diageo and Pernod Ricard.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the US has applauded the signing of an agreement to move forward with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Maker’s Mark has announced the launch of Private Select in collaboration with Heinemann duty free in Australia.

Royal Salute has launched one of its most exclusive whiskies to date with an RRP $30,000 to international markets.

The Macallan has launched its new luxury retail experience in Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport as part of the brand’s global Boutique programme in Asia.

Langstane Liquor Company has launched Glasshouse Whisky which has been specifically designed to be complement long drinks.

The GlenDronach Distillery has launched its Traditionally Peated expression - a highland scotch with a heated finish.

Chinese company MengTai Group has announced the construction of a whisky distillery in Inner Mongolia.

Vietnamese businessman Viet Nguyen Dinh Tuan has entered the Guinness World Records with the most expensive collection of scotch whisky on the planet.

Westward Whiskey will make its European debut in the UK via an exclusive partnership with distributor Spirit Cartel as part of its ongoing global market expansion.

Auchentoshan has launched a Sauvignon Blanc expression which is available exclusively on Amazon.

Auchentoshan has launched a new brand identity as part of its new positioning to encourage younger drinkers to “share, mix and enjoy an Auchentoshan whisky together”.

The Council of Whiskey Masters has announced a strategic partnership with Glencairn Crystal.

Independent scotch whisky firm Douglas Laing has announced a 100% acquisition of Strathearn Distillery.

Jack Daniel’s has announced the winning bar team of its fourth annual Tennessee Calling bartending competition after a two-day final during London Cocktail Week.

Scotchwhisky.com announced its imminent closure on Monday 14 October due to an ‘unsustainable business model’.

Dr Rachel Barrie has been made a Keeper of the Quaich at a private ceremony held at Blair Castle on Monday 7 October.

Beam Suntory have released a collaborative American whiskey made by Jim Beam master distiller Fred Noe and Suntory chief blender Shinji Fukuyo called Legent.

Michter’s vice president Matt Magliocco said this year’s inaugural Roma Bar Show provided a “perfect opportunity” to build its route to market in Italy.

That Boutique-y Broadcasting Company has launched a podcast series called Uncorked: Whisky Sessions.

Old Forester has introduced a single barrel programme to the UK which will be available to the trade from autumn 2019.

The Lakes Distillery has launched The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.1 - the first in a series of widely available single malt whisky releases aiming to showcase its sherry-led house style.

Glenfiddich has launched Grand Cru, a 23-year-old single malt finished in rare French cuvée oak casks.

Kavalan distillery has launched Kavalan Concertmaster Sherry Finish, the distillery’s first global release of 2019.

A recent complaint about Pernod Ricard UK’s Jameson Irish whiskey Barrelback on-trade promotion was upheld by the Independent Complaints Panel. 

Kilchoman Islay single malt whisky distillery has completed the expansion of its distillery which has the potential to double capacity.

Beam Suntory is investing $60 to build a new distillery at its existing operations in Clermont, Kentucky.

Bulleit Bourbon founder Tom Bulleit has been made to step down from his role as brand ambassador by Diageo following claims of sex abuse by his daughter.

Pernod Ricard has announced the acquisition of Texas-based Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co, maker of super premium American whiskey.

Royal Salute has launched two new expressions and rebranded its signature 21 Year Old scotch whisky in one of the biggest moves in the brand’s history.

Holyrood Distillery, which will be the first single malt whisky distillery in the centre of Edinburgh for almost 100 years, will open on 30 July.

The Irish Whiskey Association has responded to claims that its Geographical Indication and Technical File is in danger of ‘dumbing down’ the category.

A Jim Beam rickhouse containing around 45,000 barrels of whiskey burned to the ground on Wednesday.

Scotch and Irish whiskey have been targeted by the US for potential new tariffs on imported goods.

Chivas Brothers has released its biggest single malt collection to date, with the launch of 15 aged single malt scotch whiskies from four seldom seen, Speyside distilleries.

The Last Drop Distillers has launched its newest release, the 1969 Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Glen Scotia has introduced a new Limited Edition Rum Cask Finish single malt to celebrate its Campbeltown Malts Festival programme.

Pernod Ricard USA, through its New Brand Ventures division, has acquired a majority share of Rabbit Hole Whiskey which is produced and based in Louisville, Kentucky.

Employees from Chivas Brothers, the scotch whisky business of Pernod Ricard came together last week to collect plastic from beaches and river paths in Scotland and London.

Johnnie Walker master blender Dr Jim Beveridge has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to the scotch whisky industry.

Whyte & Mackay Light has been launched in the UK as a “premium spirit drink from Scotland” with a 21.5% abv.

The Glenlivet has unveiled a new brighter look for its single malt scotch whisky portfolio.

Mexico and Canada have dropped their tariffs on American whiskey which were implemented in retaliation to president Donald Trump’s import tariffs last year.