Edrington pushes Brugal in travel retail
US: Brugal rum brand-owner the Edrington Group, their distributors Rémy Cointreau Travel Retail Americas and retailer International Shoppes have combined forces to promote travel retail exclusive Brugal Extra Viejo Reserva and Brugal Añejo Reserva - starting in New York JFK.
Mako Vodka, a nautically themed spirit made using water from “ice-age aquifers” has launched to selected states in the US.
StarBev eyes international expansion for Staropramen
StarBev has announced ‘significant investments’ in its Staropramen brand, as it eyes international expansion.
Show some humility, says CEO of Renaud Cointreau
Owners of traditional products such as champagne and cognac need to show some humility in their dealings with new emerging markets, according to the president and CEO of Groupe Renaud Cointreau.
Pernod Ricard signs joint venture with Tequila Avión
Pernod Ricard has announced a joint venture with Tequila Avión to produce and promote the ‘ultra-premium’ tequila brand Avión.
Glenmorangie launches £2500 whisky
The Glenmorangie Company has released a £2,500 whisky matured in Chateau d’Yquem sauternes casks.
Diageo launches £15m Tanqueray campaign
Diageo has launched a £15m global campaign for its Tanqueray gin brand.
Auchentoshan charters transatlantic internships
Scotch whisky Auchentoshan is looking for entries to The Auchentoshan Switch, a cocktail competition that offers bartenders transatlantic internships.
EPI completes Piper-Heidsieck purchase
Rémy Cointreau has completed the sale of all the shares in Piper-Heidsieck-Compagnie Champenoise to the EPI Group (Européenne de Participations Industrielles).
€5m global Vinho Verde campaign unveiled
The Vinho Verde Wine Commission (CVRVV), in Portugal, has invested €5m on a three-year global promotion.
Chivas launches $200,000 whisky
Chivas Brothers has launched a US$200,000 whisky as a tribute to the oldest crown jewels in Britain - the Honours of Scotland.
Heaven Hill launches new liqueur
US: Heaven Hill has launched a liqueur called Hpnotiq Harmonie. The new product is an infusion of French vodka, natural fruits, flowers, and cognac. The mix includes berries, violets and lavender.
Buffalo Trace offers Millenium Barrel to charity
Buffalo Trace Distillery has offered the entire 174-bottle release of its Millennium Barrel expression to US charities for auctioning.
Duvel swaps Green for Single Fermentation
Belgiun beer Duvel Green has been renamed Duvel Single Fermentation, in a bid to ease consumer understanding.
170-year old Veuve fetches €30K
A 170-year old bottle of champagne salvaged from a shipwreck in the Baltic Sea has fetched €30,000 at auction.
Diageo buys SAB's stake in Kenya Breweries
Diageo subsidiary East African Breweries (EAB) has purchased all of SAB Miller’s 20% shareholding in Kenya Breweries (KB). The transaction is worth US$225 million. The deal is subject to EAB disposing of its 20% shareholding in Tanzania Breweries – by way of public offer through the Dar-es-Salaam Stock Exchange.
Ardbeg to launch Alligator expression
Ardbeg has announced the September launch of its new limited release, Ardbeg Alligator, to Europe, Asia and the US.
Beam launches Courvoisier Rosé
US: Beam Global and Courvoisier cognac have launched Courvoisier Rosé. The liqueur is a blend of Courvoisier cognac and French 'red wine grapes'. The flavour profile is said to feature "notes of blackberry, blackcurrant and a touch of cherry, complemented by vanilla, honey and vine-peach flavours". The 36 proof liquid (18%abv) is best served chilled or on ice and is available throughout the US for $24.99.
DISCUS updates advertising guidelines
The Distilled Spirits Council in the US (DISCUS) has increased the demographic placement standard in its Code of Responsible Advertising Practices. The change reflects the 2010 Census data, which shows that 71.6% of the US population is 21 years of age and older. The previous demographic was 70%.
Rémy sells Piper-heidseick to EPI
The Rémy Cointreau Group has announced the sale of Piper-heidseick – Compangni Champenoise to EPI (Européenne de Participations Industrielles)
Laithwaites releases Van Ruiten Old Vine Zinfandel
Laithwaites, the international wine mail-order company, has released Van Ruiten Old Vine Zinfandel 2008 from California.
Entrants aiming to crack the US market need to take a bold approach, according to a wine importer.
Bacardi appoints trio of directors
The Bacardi Global Travel Retail Division has announced three director-level appointments in a bid to “create a leadership team with a wealth of experience and global expertise”.
Patrón enlists former Diageo VP
Patrón Spirits has appointed Phil Gervasi, a former VP at Diageo, as executive vice president of sales for North America.
Irish Distillers launches new single pot still whiskeys
Irish Distillers, the Irish whiskey arm of Pernod Ricard, unveiled two new single pot still Irish whiskeys today (May 5).
Bacardi crowns global cocktail champion
Bacardi has crowned the winner of the first Superior Rum Global Legacy Cocktail Competition, in Barcelona.
Malibu adds Cranberry-Cherry to its range
Pernod Ricard US has announced that Malibu has added Cranberry-Cherry to its range of rum liqueurs, following a vote by consumers.
Bartenders do duel for No. 209 Gin crown
Two of London’s bartenders drew swords in San Francisco in the final of the No. 209 Gin Duel.
Jim Beam's Red Stag comes to UK and travel retail
Jim Beam has launched its Red Stag bourbon-based drink in the UK market and in travel retail outlets across Europe.
Christie’s raises $11m in 36-hour wine sale
Christie’s has conducted a 36-hour wine auction in Hong Kong and New York, with sales totalling US$11.2m.
SABMiller’s Sudanese brewery invests $15m
SABMiller subsidiary company Southern Sudan Beverages (SSBL) is to invest US$15m to increase production capacity.
Prowein pulls them in: attendance up 5%
Prowein organiser Messe Düsseldorf has announced record attendance figures for the show held this week, 27-29 March 2011.
Jack Daniels launches honey whiskey
Jack Daniels has launched a honey whiskey – the brand’s first launch in nearly a generation.
42 Below announces cocktail winners
Team Italy has won the 2011 42 Below Cocktail World Cup.
Amorim registers double-digit volume growth
Cork producer Amorim recorded double-digit volume growth in 2010.
US distributors Glazer’s has appointed Robert Swartz as chief operating officer and Phil Meacham as executive vice president malt beverages.
Brown-Forman sells Fetzer to Concha y Toro
Brown-Forman has sold its Fetzer wine business to Concha y Toro for US$238 million. The transaction is expected to close in April 2011.
Chivas receives Westwood styling
Scotch brand Chivas Regal and designer Vivienne Westwood have collaborated to launch a new limited edition whisky.
Brown-Forman launches new Canadian whisky in US
Brown-Forman has launched Canadian 'maple wood' whisky, Collingwood, in four US states.
Diageo’s sales grow despite Europe faltering
Diageo has reported an 4% increase in organic net sales growth for H2 of 2010, despite a drop of 3% in Europe.
Diageo and Bacardi set out green credentials
Diageo aims to cut its global carbon emissions by 50% by 2015, while Bacardi has published details of its environmental advancements.
ICS attempts to measure the pleasure of cognac
In its fourth edition, the International Cognac Summit (ICS) 2011, attempted to answer the question: can you quantify pleasure when tasting cognac?
Cognac celebrates record shipments
Cognac has reported record-breaking shipment figures for 2010. The region reported the value of 2010 shipments to be €1.86 billion.
Diageo North America appoints presidents
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.
Groupe Charlois acquires Winemakers Cooperage
French wine barrel manufacturer, Groupe Charlois, has expanded into the US with the purchase of Winemakers Cooperage (WC) from Treasury Wine Estates.
Saxco appoints quality assurance manager
Saxco, a US-based group of packaging companies affiliated to Saxco International, has appointed James Hartman as quality assurance manager.
Brown-Forman looking to offload Fetzer
Brown-Forman, the major US drinks company, has announced a strategic review with a view to offloading its Californina-based wine assets.
Slovakian vodka Goral Master launches
Slovakian spirits group Gas Familia has launched premium vodka Goral Master.
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.
CEDC to purchase Kauffman vodka
Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) is to purchase the global rights for Kauffman vodka.