News

Ag Barr acquires Fentimans for £38m

Multi-beverage business Ag Barr, owner of brands such as Irn-Bru and Funkin Cocktails, has bought soft drinks and mixers brand Fentimans for £38m.


Brother's Bond Bourbon partners with Maverick Drinks for UK launch

American whiskey brand, Brother’s Bond Bourbon, has launched in the UK through a distribution partnership with Maverick Drinks.


Goslings Rum joins Paragon Brands in the UK

Paragon Brands has been appointed the exclusive UK distributor for Bermudian rum Goslings.


Brands Report 2026: Liqueurs

For a decade, Campari has reigned over the liqueurs list, holding the number one spot consistently since 2016.


Starward founder fully acquires Australian whisky business

Starward Whisky has announced that founder David Vitale has fully acquired the business, concluding Diageo and other shareholder involvement in the business.


Brewdog to shut down distilling business

Scottish brewer Brewdog will stop operations at its distillery in Aberdeenshire and cease production of its spirits brands.


Brands Report 2026: Mezcal

Long-standing category champion Del Maguey has finally been toppled by Siete Misterios


Brands Report 2026: Vodka

It’s tight across the entire board when it comes to this category, with often just a handful of bars separating rankings.


Comment
Danil Nevsky and Laura Grassulini discuss the current landscape of cocktail competitions – and what comes next
Analysis
Black Lines’ Kuleen Khimasia on the rise of the RTD
EU-India deal ‘making history’
Cava is pushing for premium perception
Mermaid Gin's Xavier Baker on cracking the US market
Bar News
Dram to relocate from Soho to East London
London Cocktail Week announces date change
The Gulf Bar Show returns for 2026
Eagle Bar at The Chancery Rosewood appoints Maura Lawrence Milia as general manager
More News

Cawston Press acquires Loah beer

British soft drinks business Cawston Press has bought Loah beer for an undisclosed sum, as the company expands into the no and low space.


Slingsby Gin owner enters administration

UK-based Spirit of Harrogate, owner of Slingsby, will enter administration with the businesses’ assets being put up for sale.


Great British Drinks Company acquires Black Sheep Brewery

The newly formed Great British Drinks Company, backed by the family entrepreneurs behind Paramount Retail Group, has acquired Yorkshire’s Black Sheep Brewery in a £6.5m restoration deal.


Brands Report 2026: American whiskey

The bestselling American whiskey ranking is largely the same as last year. Old Forester has replaced Jim Beam in the top 10, while the other nine are either the same or one place adri­ft.


BCB London announces refreshed educational programme for 2026

The UK’s largest trade fair, BCB London, returns to Tobacco Dock on 11 to 12 May with a new educational programme.


Brands Report 2026: World whiskies

Japan leads the pack of whisky outliers, taking half the split and cementing the country’s standing



E-mail Updates