Bacardi has named Jon Grey and Robert Furniss-Roe regional presidents of Middle East and Africa, and Latin America respectively.

Diageo has announced a host city for the final of its World Class 2011 bartender competition. Delhi, India, will play host to the final of what has been dubbed “the Oscars of the industry”.

Cognac has reported record-breaking shipment figures for 2010. The region reported the value of 2010 shipments to be €1.86 billion.

The worldwide competition to appoint four Glenrothes whisky makers closes at the end of January. According to organisers, response to the competition has been very strong but there is still a chance to enter online. The successful candidates will be recruited to work as The Glenrothes whisky makers at the Speyside distillery, Scotland.

UK: The deputy prime minister Nick Clegg MP raised a glass to scotch whisky exports – up 12% in the first ten months of 2010.

The US Spirits division of Diageo North America has appointed Mark Hubler as president of Open States and Greg Armstrong president of Control States and National Accounts.

One hundred-year old whiskies that belonged to Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton have been sent to a Whyte & Mackay distillery for testing.

Join us for a live web chat with Jacob’s Creek chief winemaker Bernard Hickin on Wednesday January 19 at 1pm (GMT).

Diageo Gobal Travel Middle East (GTME) has announced three ‘key strategic leadership’ appointments to its senior executive management team.

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard has launched two new whiskeys.

Brown-Forman has appointed Michael McShane as managing director for Asia Pacific, effective February 1, 2011.  McShane succeeds Stuart Beck who is to retire from the company in May 2011.  McShane will be based in Hong Kong.

Former Wine Australia boss Paul Henry is to join wine research company Wine Intelligence as associate director.

Bill Samuels Jr is to step down as president of Maker’s Mark bourbon.

Africa: Heineken has announced the acquisition of two holding companies from the Sona Group. The two acquired businesses have controlling interests in each of the Sona, IBBI, Benue, Life and Champion breweries in Nigeria.

New Zealand: An organic wine group has set a goal for 20% of New Zealand vineyards to be organic by 2020.

Foster’s Group has committed $500,000 to help Queensland flood victims.

French wine barrel manufacturer, Groupe Charlois, has expanded into the US with the purchase of Winemakers Cooperage (WC) from Treasury Wine Estates.

Czech beer Budvar bucked a 12% decline in Czech beer exports in 2010 to record growth of 4%.

The fourth International Cognac Summit (ICS) will focus on the effect of cognac on the palate.

Foster’s has launched an online tribute to England’s cricket victory, the first time for 24 years that England has won an Ashes Test Series in Australia.

Courvoisier cognac is to be available on Virgin Atlantic flights.

The Pre-Mixed Drinks Challenge Awards have been announced.

Saxco, a US-based group of packaging companies affiliated to Saxco International, has appointed James Hartman as quality assurance manager.

Dutch branding and packaging design consultancy Claessens/Cartils has changed its name to Cartils.

Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) and Carlsberg Group have extended their agreement for the distribution of Carlsberg brands in Australia.

Brand Phoenix has been appointed distributors for Angove Family Winemakers in the UK off-trade.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has gained a geographical indication of origin for scotch whisky in Vietnam.

Coe Group-owned UK distributor Barwell & Jones has added Willow Bridge Estate to its portfolio of wines.

Bordeaux Wine Council has announced the release of a mobile phone application called Smart Bordeaux.

UK charities Alcohol Concern and the Children’s Society have called for “mandatory social work training” on the issues surrounding parental alcohol misuse.

Diageo Great Britain (Diageo GB) has agreed a final settlement with Intercontinental Brands (ICB) in their dispute over ICB’s Vodkat product. The settlement sees the end of litigation between the two companies that has been ongoing since 2008.

Jameson has reached three million nine litre case sales (MAT ending October 31). According to the brand, growth in the US, Jameson’s largest export market, contributed to its milestone success, with one million cases sold.

Limited edition Beefeater Winter gin has made its European travel retail debut in the main World Duty Free store in London Heathrow Terminal 3.

Russian Distiller has launched Krivach, a malted rye distillate that is said to be the first of its type in Russia for 120 years.

Cognac brand Baron Otard has launched Fortis et Fidelis, describing it as its oldest and rarest expression.

Diageo intends to grow Captain Morgan into a "global mega brand", according to Ed Pilkington, the group’s global category director for vodka, gin and rum.

First Cape Wines has announced it will sponsor the British and Irish Lions rugby tour of Australia in 2013.

Beam Global Spirits & Wine has announced expanded leadership roles for executives Bill Newlands, Phil Baldock and Bob Probst.

Former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan will deliver the keynote address at the World Climate Change and Wine Congress 2011.

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has backed the UK Government’s planned reduction of duty on low-alcohol beer.

Brugal 1888 has been launched at Brugal Island, a rum tasting bar and store situated in Madrid airport.

UK charity Drinkaware has said that tougher action is needed to counter UK binge drinking.

Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) is to purchase the global rights for Kauffman vodka.

Russia could be the next growth market for cider, according to a new report.

Rob Samuels has been appointed to the newly created position of chief operating officer (COO) of Maker’s Mark bourbon, one of Fortune Brands’ premium spirits brands.

Diageo has initiated discussions to take over 50% of Guatemalan rum brand Zacapa.

Stock Spirits Group, the company behind five million case vodka brand Czysta de Luxe, has appointed Credit Suisse as its financial advisor.

Amaretto brand Disaronno has hosted the final of its first Mixing Star cocktail competition in London.

Stock Spirits has made several new appointments to its senior management team.