Low and no: How brands can adapt

There’s a huge trend in the drinks world right now: people are drinking less - and brands are investing and innovating to serve this market, Dan Hooper, co-founder at YesMore explores.

Glenburgie 18: Taking a closer look

When you get an invitation to be part of the “first ever whisky tasting in a decommissioned nuclear reactor, under the city of Stockholm”, it does make you sit up and take notice.

Mixing it up: how drinks categories can learn from each other

Drinks brands looking to broaden consumer appeal and user occasions should look to other categories - Denomination's Margaret Nolan.

The Balvenie Stories: Taking a closer look

The Balvenie recently launched its new range of single malts called Stories, Ian Buxton explores the latest expressions.

Tapping into the draft cocktail trend

When cocktail royalty such as Alex Kratena and Monica Berg start adopting a particular serve approach, chances are it’s going to be big. Shay waterworth reports

Pre-Mixed Cocktails: Ready when you are

Pre-mixed cocktails are rapidly shucking off the stigma that linked them with the sugary confections of yesteryear. Angel Brown reports

Michael Vachon: Craft's own Maverick

I had 720 bottles I had to sell in order to pay my rent, which was due in three weeks. I didn’t have another job so I just had to get out there and start knocking on doors.”

Kweichow Moutai Co undergoes strategy U-turn

China’s love of a fiery grain liquor made Kweichow Moutai Co the world’s most valuable alcohol distiller, and the company’s approach has been to milk that demand for all its worth.

Liqueurs: Sweet Dreams

There’s more to liqueurs than meets the eye. Philip Duff ventures into a world beyond cocktails for these sugary – and not so sugary – drinks.

A fortune to be made

As the chinese new year begins, Shay Waterworth assesses the state of a spirits market that’s opening up to western companies

Denny Potter: Marking his return to Maker's

Denny Potter gives Shay Waterworth the lowdown on how he finally got his dream job as master distiller at Maker’s Mark

Duff Said: Unwise investments

Philip Duff considers the difficulties of funding a new business in the world of hospitality

German Wine: Flooded with confidence

The 2018 grape harvest in germany will go down in history as a truly outstanding vintage. Christian davis reports amid the euphoria

Cava: Quality compares

Cava has suffered with a perception problem in the shadow of champagne and prosecco, but that could be about to change, finds Chris Wilson

Bulk punches above weight

Reporting from the World Bulk Wine Exhibition, Shay Waterworth found an innovative and informative global community

Aperitivo Bitters: Spirit of the spritz

Aperitivo bitters have seen a surge in popularity in recent years. Philip Duff examines the factors that have led to this rejuvenation

Wine: China et al

Is the chinese dragon acquiring a taste for wine? Christian Davis reports from Prowine China, Shanghai

China bar scene's 'unimaginable future'

The booming bar scene in China is growing at a breathtaking pace and former bartender and now Asian businessman Christopher Lowder, talked to Shay Waterworth about the future of the industry.

Pernod CEO stuck between kin and Elliott

Alexandre Ricard, the chief executive officer of Pernod Ricard SA, has little room for maneuver, says Bloomberg reporters Thomas Buckley and Scott Deveau.

Raki: The lion's share

Like all Mediterranean countries, Turkey boasts its own anise-flavoured spirit. But raki is about more than just the drink, finds Clinton Cawood

Dr Anne Brock: Bombay's new boss

Forward thinking and decisive, Dr Anne Brock is the latest recruit to the gin industry’s family of master distillers. Shay Waterworth meets the woman with Bombay Sapphire in her charge

Premium Mixers: The tonic for mixers

Premium mixers are becoming more important in both the on and off-trade as they appeal to consumers drinking less alcohol. Tracy West reports

Alexandrion Group: Romania's awakening giant

Diageo and Pernod Ricard are some of the biggest beverage companies in the world. But now there is a new player positioning itself for serious international growth. Shay Waterworth flew to Romania to pay them a visit.

Indian Single Malt: Whisky’s Indian summer

For producers of Indian single malt whisky, 2018 was a year of consolidation. and, argues Dominic Roskrow, potentially the calm before the storm

Cream Liqueurs: Crème de la cream

Cream liqueurs need to steer away from just Christmas and towards younger consumers. Jaq Bayles reports

Cape 2018: Crossroads

The good news – the crisis over drought seems to have receded after recent rains. the bad news – vines are being grubbed up as farmers are finding grape-producing unprofitable and switching to other crops. Christian Davis reports from the event

Chianti: Reviving a classic

Some of the shine may have come off Chianti since its 1980s heyday, but producers are showing they're determined to put it back on the map, finds Chris Wilson

Brandy: Point of difference

The quality of Spanish brandy is every bit as good as cognac and armagnac, but how does it come out of the French shadow? Christian Davis ruminates

Profile: Speyside born and aged

Chivas bros’ master distiller Alan Winchester received the International Spirits Challenge prestigious lifetime achievement award in 2018. Christian Davis meets him

Pick of the Launches

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International magazine November edition.

Alcohol marketing: The Instagram minefield

Tom Harvey, new client director at YesMore explains the dangers surrounding marketing on Instagram for alcohol brands and offers some sollutions to these issues.

Port: Steady as she goes

Port is one of the great wine styles and it is a case of keeping it on course these days. Christian Davis reports

Vermouth: The enlightened side of drinking

Vermouth has made a sudden and impactful mark on the drinks scene in a very short space of time. Philip Duff looks at the reasons behind the meteoric rise of this aromatised, fortified wine

American Single Malts: How the west is being won

Pioneer whiskey makers are attempting to forge a new identity for their American whiskey single malts. Shay Waterworth finds out how.

Reconnecting with Chinese GTR shoppers

After a downturn in sales following anti-corruption moves in China, shifting market demands are seeing cognac’s fortunes return. Shay Waterworth reports

Vodka under pressure in GTR

Premiumisation is the buzzword when it comes to attracting consumers in holiday mode. Clinton Cawood looks at how brands are working to appeal in this sector

Champagne in GTR: Well travelled

Global travel retail remains an important sector for champagne to showcase its innovation. Giles Fallowfield reports

Wine in GTR: Drinking at 35,000 ft

Jamie Goode explains the science behind the way aircraft passengers experience scent and flavour

Liqueurs: Twist the classics

As consumers demand more from their cocktails, Clinton Cawood sees doors opening for liqueurs to make their mark on drinkers’ palates

Pick of the Launches

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International magazine October edition.

Profile: Abe Salt

Abe Salt is the new CEO of New Zealand’s ‘most admired wine brand’, Villa Maria, following in the considerable footsteps of founder Sir George Fistonich. Christian Davis sizes him up

Is the future positive or negative for big brands?

As the current consumer trends are moulding around smaller, craft brands around the world, Steve Hastings, planning partner at creative agency isobel asks whether the glass is half full or half empty for big brands.

Sherry: Needs a new course

Sherry is failing to fire consumers’ imaginations as a solo serve. but, says John Downes, it could have a better future thanks to cocktails

Tequila: Never a dull moment

While it might be facing stiff competition from fellow agave-based spirit mezcal, there are still areas of excitement that keep tequila in the limelight, reports Clinton Cawood

Cachaça: One trick pony?

Cachaça is a tough one. with so many other white spirits to choose from, why bother with this Brazilian rum variant, asks Christian Davis

Amaretto: Regaining romance

While amaretto may have a long and somewhat idyllic history, it has done little to capture consumers’ imaginations in recent times. But cocktail culture could be key to changing all that, finds Angel Brown

Scotch blends: Whisky symbiosis

The rise of single malt scotch has dominated whisky conversations on the back of the craft explosion, but blended malts have just as interesting a story to tell, says Shay Waterworth

Alex Wolpert: The drama of spirits

Shay Waterworth interviews the ISC’s rising star of the year and finds it’s not the first time he’s been at the shining end of stardom

Pick of the Launches

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International magazine September edition.

Why beer can learn from spirits

The sales of big beer brands is dropping across large parts of the US and Europe and Chris Cassell, managing director at independant drinks marketing company White Label, explores how these brands should follow in the footsteps of spirits.