Beefeater’s Desmond Payne received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 21st annual International Spirits Challenge last night. 

An akvavit has been named the International Spirits Challenge Supreme Champion 2016. 

Sherry is changing with a new, evolving consumer base, according to sherry's Consejo Regulador.

Jura has revealed its Tastival 2016 bottling, a limited edition expression to mark the distillery’s annual island whisky festival.  

Soju brand Jinro has been named the top-selling spirit in the world in the Millionaires’ Club 2016, after selling 73.8m 9-litre last year.

Conviviality, the UK’s leading independent alcohol wholesaler, has reported group sales increased by 137% to approximately £864m in a ‘transformational year’.

London Wine Fair feedback has been 'overwhelmingly positive' despite a fall in visitor numbers, according to show organisers. 

The UK chief medical officer’s responsible drinking guidelines are entirely out of kilter with the rest of the world and out of touch with reality, according to WSTA’s Miles Beale. 

Leaving the EU would lead to a more uncertain trading environment, loss of access to the single market and the absence of a UK voice at the table to shape EU regulation by which the industry would still be bound, according to the WSTA chief executive. 

Sandeman unveiled a preview of its repackaged aged tawny range at London Wine Fair this week. 

Marie Brizard Wine and Spirits has announced that its 2015 annual results are “sharply up and in line” with 2018 ambitions. 

28 Hongkong Street of Singapore has taken first place in Drinks International’s Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards, the first regional spin-off of The World’s 50 Best Bars.

Bacardi Brown-Forman has announced that it will take over the UK distribution of Old Forester Kentucky Bourbon from Mangrove.

Diageo is introducing a new beer created for the ‘next generation’ of Guinness drinkers, Africa Special.

The World’s Best Bar 2015 Artesian has parted company with head bartender Pip Hanson.

Drinks International launches its annual ProWein Preview, a 12-page guide to the Düsseldorf show, which runs from 13-15 March. 

The bar industry’s leading lights have paid tribute to Dick Bradsell after the cocktail legend passed away at the weekend.

This month sees the launch of the Drinks International Challenge Series, a vibrant mix of seven competitions that celebrate innovation and excellence in the global drinks industry.

Drinks International will publish its first regional spin-off of the World’s 50 Best Bars, with the launch of Asia’s 50 Best Bars.

Diageo will invest £10m in Danish whisky brand Stauning through its Distill Ventures programme. 

William Grant & Sons has announced plans to increase the capacity of its Glenfiddich distillery in Speyside, Scotland.

Beam Suntory has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Jerez-based brandy and sherry business to Emperador inc.  

Some young people are drinking to help them cope with problems, according to latest Drinkaware research. 

Distell Group looks set to boost its US profile after signing a major deal with Terlato Wine Group. 

Cognac Renault has launched Carte Noire Extra Old Limited Edition to mark its 180^th anniversary this year.

The Glenrothes unveiled the fourth release in its Extraordinary Cask Series, Glenrothes 1969 Extraordinary Cask #11483, at the inaugural Vintage Vinyl Sessions last night.

The Loire-based Bouvet Ladubay has announced that the Monmousseau family has re-acquired ownership of the company from United Spirits.

Smaller Irish whiskey brands may face demise due to a lack of supply of mature whiskey, according to a recent report. 

London Beer Week will return for a second year, following a successful debut this year. 

United Spirits has appointed Sanjeev Churiwala as its chief financial officer. 

Number One Drinks Company Japan has unveiled plans to build "Japan's first" artisan gin distillery.

Diageo has outlined its Scotch category growth strategy at its investor conference in New York.

Brewer SABMiller has reported good underlying sales for the second quarter, a day after AB InBev agreed a £17bn merger. 

Port house Sandeman has announced the release of a six-bottle collection to celebrate its 225-year history.

Gruppo Campari has reported positive growth of 7.9% as group sales totalled €1,144.7 million in the first nine months of 2015. 

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits has recorded a third quarter of contrasts, with improvements in France but penalisation in the US and Poland. 

Anheuser-Busch InBev has agreed the terms of its £71bn takeover of SABMiller.

Beam Suntory has added Peppermint Bark and Pumpkin Pie to its Pinnacle vodka flavour range for the festive period. 

Beam Suntory sales increased 36% in the first nine months of the year, benefitting from “strong performance” in North America and Japan.

Stock Spirits has announced the appointment of Miroslaw Stachowicz as an independent non-executive director. 

Stoli Group has announced the appointment of two new distributors in a bid to bring a renewed approach to the Central Europe market. 

Heineken has announced the appointment of Cindy Tervoort to the role of UK marketing director, following Jacco van der Linden’s promotion to managing director of Heineken’s operating company in China.

Diageo has agreed the sale of its wine interests in Argentina to Grupo Peñaflor.

Preciosa, the Bohemian glass wine closure brand owner, has completed an agreement with Vinventions for the distribution of Vinolok and Vinoseal.

Diageo’s United Spirits has reported an increase in half-year and second-quarter sales. 

Finest Call and Cellar Trends predict that the cocktail market will account for 10% of all UK spirits sales by 2020. 

SABMiller and Anheuser-Busch InBev have been granted another extension for their takeover talks, with the deadline moving to November 11. 

Drinks International’s Travel Retail Awards were announced on Tuesday 20October at Majestic Barrière in Cannes during the TFWA Global Summit.

The World's 50 Best Bars 2015 awards ceremony took place in London's Christ Church Spitalfields yesterday. 

Psychologists say that about 70% of the effects of an economic crisis in a society can be attributed to, well, psychology. The way you react is not about what actually happens to you, it is about what you think might happen, or, even worse, about getting prepared for the worst.