The first round of results for the International Spirits Challenge 2020 have been released for baijiu, soju, shochu, liqueurs & specialities, tequila, mezcal and other agave spirits.

Denomination strategy director Mariella Menato believes looking after members of the on-trade is an important step for brands to take during the Coronavirus crisis.

The US off-trade has seen soaring sales of wine, spirits and beer as shoppers stocked up ahead of a lengthy coronavirus lockdown, according to Nielsen stats.

Bacardi has set up a $3m fund to help bar owners and bartenders make ends meet during the global coronavirus lockdown.

Liquor stores will be permitted to remain open in New York, New Jersey and California during the coronavirus pandemic after they were declared “essential businesses”.

The London Wine Fair is the latest high profile-event to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic that has swept the world.

Zamora Company has implemented a series of measures to alleviate the effects that COVID-19 is having on social life and business in Spain.

Leading online wine retailer Laithwaite’s has assured customers that it will continue to keep them well stocked after demand shot up amid the coronavirus lockdown.

The Wine Institute of California has argued that wineries are an “essential business” and should be allowed to maintain operations during a lockdown.

An award-winning start-up that produces net carbon negative vodka in New York City has redirected its entire production capacity towards making hand sanitizer.

Guinness producer Diageo has launched a £1m St Patrick’s Day fund to help bars pay their staff during these difficult times.

AB Inbev has drawn down the entirety of a $9bn loan facility from global banks as it bids to ride out the coronavirus outbreak.

As a precaution due to COVID-19 Bacardí has postponed the 12th annual Bacadrí Legacy Cocktail Competition until further notice.

The British pub and bar industry will be lost within days if the government does not take swift action to prop it up, leading operators have warned.

Spiritseurope has written to the Luxembourg Ministry for Health and Economic Affairs to caution against prospective plans to raise the legal purchasing age for spirits, but not for beer or wine.

St Patrick’s Day could become a sombre affair this year as bars across the world have been forced to shut their doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Franklin & Sons has launched two new mixers aimed at dark spirits fans that want to experiment with different long drinks.

The TFWA board and management committee has decided to cancel the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference due to be held in Singapore on May 10-14.

Christian Davis has stepped down as editor of Drinks International after 13 years on the magazine.

ProWein 2020 is postponing its show in Dusseldorf this month due to Coronavirus fears.

New HMRC figures show that the number of distilleries registered in the UK last year increased 22% to 441.

Asia’s 50 Best Bars will take place in Singapore for the third year in a row as it returns in 2020 on 14 May.

The top major accolades at Tuesday night’s Class Bar Awards in London were presented to leading female members of the UK bar industry.

The continued premiumisation of tonic has changed the level of expectation consumers have for simple serves such as the G&T.

Homeboy owners Aaron Wall and Ciarán Smith have decided to roll out their Islington-based Irish bar to other parts of London and even further afield, Drinks International can exclusively reveal.

Edinburgh hospitality figures Sian Buchan and John Mclellan will open their debut bar in early February – Uno Mas Bar, Drinks International can exclusively reveal.

Vinexpo chief executive Rodolphe Lameyse says that Vinexpo Paris will have a bigger focus on spirits and bartending than any previous variations.

Chelsie Bailey will take over the management reins of Happiness Forgets in London, signalling an end to a nine-year bartending career in Bristol, Drinks International can exclusively reveal.

Monica Berg of London's Tayer + Elementary has launched a free online ‘safe space’ business tool for hospitality employees to anonymously flag concerns or issues of workplace discrimination.

Davies and Brook opens today at Claridge’s, a restaurant bar that brings celebrated New York chef Daniel Humm and bartenders Leo Robitschek and Pietro Collina to London.

Former American Bar senior bartender Pippa Guy will begin working in New York early next year.

Chris Moore has left Coupette, one of London’s most celebrated bars, because it made him unhappy, Drinks International can exclusively reveal.

Author Gary Regan passed away on November 15 aged 68 due to complications with cancer.

US supermarket chain Walmart has launched Grocery Pickup in 2000 stores nationwide which allows customers to order and pickup alcoholic beverages without leaving that car.

Remy Savage is to become a partner at the bar group Le Syndicat in Paris and launch two new bars - one on either side of the Channel, Drinks International can exclusively reveal.

The Worshipful Company of Marketers and The Woshipful Company of Distillers have come together to host a debate on the modern role of marketing within the spirits industry.

The new menu at London’s Lyaness is the most significant launch since the bar re-opened in 2018, according to Mr Lyan global bar director Alex Lawrence.

Marco Corallo will join The Langham’s Artesian on Monday, replacing Remy Savage, Drinks International can exclusively reveal.

The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog in New York will open a site in New Orleans' French Quarter next year ahead of a US, then global expansion, Drinks International can exclusively reveal.

The UK cocktail industry surpassed £600m in value according to the latest CGA data released by Funkin Cocktails.

Ukrainian bar show Barometer is now one of the most influential in eastern Europe according to Bacardí global brand ambassador Dickie Cullimore.

Diageo World Class judge Dave Broom said having the finals in Glasgow was a “huge deal” for the city’s hospitality industry.

The Roma Bar Show has been hailed an important step for the Italian hospitality trade by industry leaders.

BCB, Europe’s largest bar show, will relocate from Station Berlin to Berlin ExpoCenter City in 2020.

New York’s Dante was crowned World’s Best Bar 2019 at the World’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony last night (3 October) in London.

On the eve of the 10th edition of London Cocktail Week Drinks International caught up with Siobhan Payne and Hannah Sharman-Cox, the dream team behind one of the industry’s biggest festivals.

Fifty bartenders completed the Martini Racing Ciclismo La Classica at the inaugural Roma Bar Show last week.

Diageo revealed on Thursday night (26 September) that the 2020 World Class Global Finals will be held in Sydney, Australia.

Bannie Kang from Singapore was named Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year 2019 at the global finals in Glasgow on Thursday, 26 September.

London’s Tayēr + Elementary has been named second in the 51-100 list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019 just four months after opening.