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.

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.

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.

Maison Villevert raises funds for Wine to Water

Maison Villevert’s La Quintinye Vermouth Royal and Nouaison Gin, have launched a global fundraising initiative across 20 countries to raise money for non-profit organisation, Wine To Water.

Bar Daskal introduces Spanish masterclass series

Bar Daskal, the London-based Spanish wine and cocktail bar from the team behind Barrafina, and restaurant booking platform Resy have announced the first Bar Daskal Maestros, a new series bringing guests masterclasses from maestros in the industry.

Austria defines legal basis for vineyard classification system

Austria has established the legal basis for the official classification of single vineyards, which will see plots defined as Erste Lage (premier cru) and Große Lage (grand cru).

Elevated Spirits Company appoints senior leadership team

The Elevated Spirits Company, producer of the Cierto Tequila portfolio, has announced the appointment of its senior leadership team.

Suntory Oceania forms as region's fourth largest beverage group

Beam Suntory and Frucor Suntory have joined to form Suntory Oceania, a new AU$3bn partnership across the premium spirits and non-alcohol segments in both Australia and New Zealand.

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.

Beam Suntory announces CEO transition

Beam Suntory’s president and CEO, Albert Baladi, has announced that he will transition CEO responsibilities effective 1 October this year to Greg Hughes, the company’s current senior vice president chief growth and brands officer. 

Trivento named leading Argentinian wine brand by value by IWSR

The IWSR has recognised Trivento winery as the world’s top-selling Argentine wine brand.

Diageo CEO Sir Ivan Menezes dies following short illness

Chief executive officer of Diageo, Sir Ivan Menezes, has died at age 63 after a brief illness.

Brown-Forman announces +8% net sales for FY23

Brown-Forman has reported a net sales increase of 8% to $4.2bn for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023, with a fourth quarter performance of +5% to $1bn.

Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge winner announced

Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge, the global bartending competition which aims to celebrate art-inspired aperitivo cocktails, has announced Fabrizio Candino, from Sartoria Cocktail Bar, Italy, as the global winner.

Belvedere unveils release inspired by vodka making process

Belvedere has released its Belvedere 10, crafted from the single harvest of one rye field.

The Boatyard Distillery launches sustainable initiatives to celebrate Earth Day

The Boatyard Distillery is introducing a series of initiatives, beginning 17 April, to celebrate Earth Day, held each year on 22 April.

Diageo’s Ivan Menezes to step down as CEO

Diageo has announced that its chief executive officer Sir Ivan Menezes will be retiring and is set to depart from the Diageo Board on 30 June this year, following 10 years leading the company.

CVNE acquires Bodegas La Val

Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España, CVNE, has acquired Bodegas La Val, located in Rías Baixas Denomination of Origin (DO), Spain.

Waterford Distillery launches Cuvée: Argot single malt whisky

Ireland’s Waterford Distillery, producer of natural whiskies, has announced the launch of Cuvée: Argot, a permanent addition to its single malt whisky range and accompanying Cuvée Concept.

The Boatyard Distillery gains B-Corp certification

Irish spirits maker, The Boatyard Distillery, has announced it has earned B-Corporation certification.

Wines of South Africa releases its 2022 export report

The Wines of South Africa 2022 export report has revealed that export value has only seen a 2.4% decline following the pandemic with Rand Per Litre (RPL) income showing marginal growth as producers navigate rising costs, shipping challenges and shortages in the supply of packaging goods.

The Drinks Trust announces Guy Lawrence as chair

The Drinks Trust has appointed Guy Lawrence, CEO of Brockman’s Gin, as the new chair of the charity following Troy Christensen’s two-year tenure.

Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes awarded knighthood

Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes has received a knighthood in King Charles' first New Year’s Honours list, an appointment that allows him to use the title ‘sir’.

Campari Group Q3 growth driven by aperitifs

Campari Group has released its results for the first nine months of 2022, which saw strong performance and net sales of €2,005.7 million, up +27.3% on a reported basis.

Pernod Ricard sales increase 17% in FY22

Pernod Ricard has released its FY22 Results, showing that sales grew organically by 17% in 2022, equalling €10.7m, with sales growing by double digits across each of its regions and spirit categories.

Campari Group acquires a stake in Howler Head whiskey

Campari Group has acquired an initial 15% interest in Howler Head Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, after the signing and closing of an agreement with Catalyst Spirits.

The Drinks Trust launches bartending programme for UK's north-west

From September this year The Drinks Trust’s Develop programme will offer a bartending certificate provided by Mixology School and in partnership with United Kingdom Bartenders’ Guild.

BrewDog overtakes Carlsberg in global beer brand value rankings

BrewDog has been ranked 14th most valuable beer brand in the world by independent brand valuation and consultancy firm Brand Finance, in its Alcoholic Drinks Report 2022, which ranks the world’s top 50 most valuable beer brands.

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation partners with Singapore Tourism Board

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF), organizer of drinks industry conference, Tales of the Cocktail, where new ideas, products, and techniques are exchanged, has announced its partnership with Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

Penfolds launches two inaugural French wines

For the first time in its history, Penfolds annual Collection release in August will comprise three country of origin portfolios, Australian, Californian and the inaugural French release.

1975 Ardbeg whisky sold for £16 million

A 1975 cask of Ardbeg Islay malt scotch whisky, Cask No.3, is the brand's oldest whisky ever released and was sold to a private collector in Asia for £16 million.

IXSIR winery paving the way amidst Lebanon’s economic crisis

Lebanese winery IXSIR is continuing to produce quality wines with the August to September harvest season approaching, despite challenges brought on by Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis.

Nyetimber announces new CEO Richard Carter

Nyetimber has announced the appointment of Richard Carter as CEO of the company with effect from July this year, as he joins from his role of director of global communications at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

St Lucia Distillers launches rum experience in Roseau Valley

St. Lucia Distillers has launched its ‘spiritourism project’ the Saint Lucia Rum Experience, a continuation of development for the single rum distillery on the island.

Bollinger Group acquires Sancerre estate Hubert Brochard

Bollinger Group, in addition to five other estates in France and the US, has acquired the Sancerre historic estate, Hubert Brochard.

Bimmerle takes over Label 5 distribution in Germany

Bimmerle KG has taken over the distribution of La Martiniquaise Scotch whisky brand Label 5 Classic Black whisky in Germany.

Elixir Distillers to buy Pernod Ricard’s Tormore Distillery

Elixir Distillers has signed an agreement to buy the Tormore distillery and brand from Pernod Ricard.

Irish Distillers announces carbon neutral roadmap for Midleton Distillery

Pernod Ricard’s Irish Distilleries, is to invest €50 million in Midleton Distillery over the next four years to deliver a carbon neutral operation by the end of 2026.

Anora suspends all Russian trade and pledges donation to Ukraine

Nordic wine and spirits company Anora has decided to suspend all sales to Russia and donate €50,000 to the Ukrainian Red Cross.

Javier Pijoan named new Zamora Company CEO

Spain’s Zamora Company has appointed Javier Pijoan as its new CEO to replace former chief executive Emilio Restoy.

Lucas Bols and Edrington enter new venture for Belgium and Luxembourg

Lucas Bols has entered a joint venture with Edrington under the name Maxxium BeLux for distribution in Belgium and Luxembourg.

Chapel Down appoints new CEO

Andrew Carter is set to take over from Frazer Thompson as CEO of Chapel Down winery from September this year.

Flor de Caña Zero Waste Month goes live

Flor de Caña has launched a global initiative called ‘Zero Waste Month’ for July which invites eco-conscious bars, restaurants and consumers to reduce food waste.

Distill Ventures launches accelerator programme to increase diversity

Distill Ventures has committed to increasing diversity within the drinks industry through the launch of a new pre-accelerator programme dedicated to early stage founders from underrepresented groups.

Pernod Ricard sees 1.7% organic growth for first nine months of FY21

Pernod Ricard’s global sales have seen a 1.7% organic growth for the first nine months of FY21 which totalled €6,941m.

BR Distilling gains Texas distribution deal

BR Distilling Company in Memphis, US, has gained distribution across Texas as part of its rapid domestic expansion.

Borco adds to global business development team

Hamburg based Broco-Marken-Import has appointed new members of its global business development team as part of its international focus for expansion.

Rhum Barbancourt enters new distribution deal for LATAM and US

Rhum Barbancourt, a family-owned distillery established in 1862, has entered a new distribution deal with MONARQ Group for Latin American and the Caribbean as well as duty free in the US.

Ghost Tequila gains US national distribution deal

Ghost Tequila has signed a national distribution agreement in the US with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) that will see the brand enter four new states immediately.