Stauning launches global cocktail competition

Danish whisky Stauning has launched the ‘Stauning Drinks Kollektive’, a global cocktail competition which aims to shine a light on bartenders from Denmark, Germany, France, the UK, US and Australia.

Champagne exports to US down 20% in 2023

Champagne exports to the US in 2023 dropped 20% on the previous year to around 27m bottles according to Comité Champagne.

Mezcal brand The Lost Explorer enters tequila

Having worked for three decades as head distiller of Diageo’s Don Julio, maestro tequilero Enrique de Colsa has partnered with The Lost Explorer to create its first tequila line.

Cate Blanchett joins Toku Saké as creative director

Actor Cate Blanchett has joined Toku Saké as creative director where she will direct the strategy of the brand, including new product development and innovation.

Whitebox Cocktails partners with Artisan Spirits

Ready-to-serve cocktail brand Whitebox Cocktails has partnered with brand-building agency, Artisan Spirits, to expand its international distribution.

Pernod Ricard sees sales drop -3% in H1 FY24

Pernod Ricard reported a -3% decline of both organic sales and organic profit from recurring operations for the first half of the financial year 2024.

Julie Nguyen wins Flor de Caña Sustainable Cocktail Challenge 2024

Julie Nguyen from Opium Bar in Thailand has won the third edition of Flor de Caña’s Sustainable Cocktail Challenge.

US Beverage partners with Erdinger

US Beverage LLC (USB) has signed an agreement with German wheat beer brand Erdinger to be the exclusive US importer for its portfolio.

US Beverage partners with Erdinger

US Beverage LLC (USB) has signed an agreement with German wheat beer brand Erdinger to be the exclusive US importer for the brand’s portfolio.

Asahi acquires Octopi Brewing to produce Super Dry in the US

Asahi Europe and International (AEI) has announced the acquisition of Octopi Brewing, with plans to brew Asahi Super Dry in the US for the first time.

The Artisanal Spirits Company acquires Single Cask Nation

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.

Renais Gin to launch in the US

Renais Spirits has announced a national distribution agreement in the US for Spring 2024, following its launch in the UK in May this year.

Spirit of Gallo brings soju brands to the US

Spirit of Gallo has announced it will distribute Korean soju brands Soonhari, Chum Churum and Saero in the US from January 2024, in partnership with Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co.

Moth expands into the US

UK RTD brand Moth (Mix of Total Happiness) is launching in the US this week.

Nc’nean secures funding to grow in North American markets

Nc’nean Distillery Limited has secured a Virgin Money funding package with the backing of UK Government department, UK Export Finance (UKEF), to help the independent distillery grow in North American markets.

American whiskey could face 50% EU tariffs from January

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.

RTD forecast growth slows

IWSR Drinks Market Analysis has released its RTDs Strategic Study 2023, which revealed the RTD category is expected to grow by 12% in volume between 2022 and 2027, achieving $40bn by 2027 across 10 key markets.

Mr Lyan to host multi-venue takeover for 10th anniversary

Mr Lyan is hosting a takeover of Sea Containers in London to celebrate 10 years since the opening of the company’s first venue.

The Macallan launches exclusive GTR collection

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

Pernod Ricard FY23 sales up 10%

Pernod Ricard saw organic net sales rise 10% in fiscal 2023, driven by strong growth across all spirits categories, alongside broad-based growth across all regions.

Desolas Mezcal expands into Canada

Desolas Mezcal has announced a new distribution partnership with Renaissance Wine Merchants to expand its footprint into Canada.

Molson Coors acquires Blue Run Spirits

Molson Coors Beverage Company has reached an agreement to acquire Blue Run Spirits, producer of bourbon and rye whiskies.

Conor McGregor stout brand Forged enters UK market

Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor has announced the launch of his Irish stout brand Forged into the UK market through 350 ASDA stores on August 5.

Bruichladdich co-founder Simon Coughlin retires

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

Penfolds appoints new creative partner

Penfolds has announced Nigo, the founder of Human Made and artistic director of Kenzo, as its first-ever creative partner.

Anchor to shut down after 127 years

After 127 years, having survived San Francisco’s 1906 earthquake, Prohibition and both World Wars, Anchor Brewing Company is closing down due to recent economic pressures.

Pernod Ricard veteran launches Cognac brand

Guillaume Thomas, veteran Pernod Ricard executive, will launch Martingale Cognac this autumn.

Court unseals Diddy’s racial discrimination lawsuit against Diageo

Newly unredacted documents have shed light on US rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs claims of racial discrimination against drinks giant Diageo.

Celebrity tequila - the long term effects

While they put a focus on the spirit, some experts believe the explosion of brands backed by famous faces does the category and quality expectations no favours.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs sues Diageo over racism claims

US rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has sued Diageo over racism allegations and undermining the partnership with Combs Wines and Spirits.

First-ever Canadian bar wins Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award

The Botanist Bar in Vancouver, Canada, has been named the winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, part of the second annual North America’s 50 Best Bars awards 2023, sponsored by Perrier.

Soderbergh directs singani to a win

Steven Soderbergh has dipped into the oceans of spirits and secured his favourite Bolivian drink its own classification.

Black Chalk secures US distribution for the first time

Five years on from its launch, Hampshire-based wine estate Black Chalk, has announced that from April it will be distributed in the US market for the first time, via Sera Wine Imports.

US spirits exports reach $2.06bn

A new report by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has revealed that total US spirits exports reached a record $2.06bn in 2022, buoyed by the temporary halt to retaliatory tariffs, with American whiskey exports to the UK remaining lower than pre-tariff levels.

Spiribam and Unicoop announce distribution partnership for Cognac Hardy

Spiribam, the division that oversees the spirits activities of the GBH family group, has signed a distribution partnership with Cognac Hardy in the US.

Mermaid Gin launches in the US

UK-based Mermaid Gin has launched three gins from the brand’s portfolio in the US and secured listings with two luxury cruise operators based out of Miami.

Pernod Ricard reports double-digit growth in H1 results

Havana Club owner, Pernod Ricard, has reported 19% organic sales growth in the first half of fiscal 2023, with all spirits segments seeing double-digit growth.

California bill increases consumer access to spirits RTDs

California, US has introduced a bill to allow spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages to be sold under the same licence as beer and wine.

Blood Monkey Irish Gin launches in Canada

Outcast Brands, the creators of Blood Monkey Irish Gin, have announced that its flagship gin is now available in Canada through the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO).

Empirical launches two new spirits

Flavour company Empirical has announced the UK launch of its two latest spirits, SOKA (43% abv) and Symphony 6 (40% abv).

Diageo reports 18.4% half year sales growth

Diageo, purveyor of Johnnie Walker and Guinness, has announced half year results to 31 December 2022 with reported net sales of £9.4bn, increased 18.4%, reflecting strong organic net sales growth.

BCB announces Education Committee

US-based on-trade show, Bar Convent Brooklyn (BCB), has announced its Education Committee for 2023, as well as opening submissions for its Education Sessions. 

Southern Glazer’s e-commerce platform surpasses US$3bn

Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits has announced that its e-commerce platform, Proof, has passed the $3 billion revenue mark in 2022.

Fercullen Irish Whiskey introduced to the US

Fercullen Irish Whiskey from the Powerscourt Estate will now be available across the US as a result of a new distribution partnership with Zamora Company USA.

No and low category surpasses $11 billion

The no- and low-alcohol categories grew by more than 7% in volume across 10 key global markets in 2022 to surpass a market value of $11bn, a new report from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis has revealed.

The Macallan unveils new guest expression

The Macallan has introduced a new single malt whisky into The Red Collection, The Macallan 77 Years Old.

Sazerac to invest US$600 million in Kentucky barrel warehouses

Louisville-based Sazerac will invest US$600 million in new barrel warehouses in London, Laurel County, Kentucky.

Global mezcal market expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2031

The global mezcal market is expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2031, new data by Straits Research has revealed.

Pernod Ricard sales grow 11% in Q1

Pernod Ricard has released its sales and results for Q1 FY23, with sales totalling €3,308 million and an organic growth of +11%.

Pernod Ricard to acquire majority stake in Código 1530

Strengthening its agave portfolio, Pernod Ricard has announced the signing of an agreement for the acquisition of a majority shareholding of Código 1530 Tequila, a range of ultra-premium tequila.