Don the Beachcomber makes a comeback

Last year, 23 Restaurant Services acquired and added Don the Beachcomber restaurant brand to its portfolio, now in honour of Donn’s birthday on 22 February, the Tampa, Florida-based hospitality company is moving forward with an expansive growth strategy for its new tiki-themed restaurant brand.

Bill Gates buys stake in Heineken

The billionaire founder of Microsoft has bought a 3.76% stake in Dutch drinks giant Heineken Holding NV, although Gates has previously said he was “not a big beer drinker”.

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.

Icewines lacking cold comfort

Producers of the always tricky-to-make wines are facing further challenges as the climate heats up, finds Oli Dodd.

Negroni: Three-Parts Winner

From the bartenders’ handshake cocktail to being sold in cans in supermarkets and restaurants, the negroni continues to dominate menus across the globe. Millie Milliken takes a closer look at the evolution of the Italian classic.

Ecommerce alcohol sales expected to grow by 66% over the next five years

Online sales of alcoholic beverages in 16 key global markets will increase by 66% over the next five years, according to projections from IWSR.

Ice Wine's Asian appeal

Sometimes accidents breed innovation. In 1928 Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin by chance, having thrown away a bacteria sample he thought was spent.

Armagnac blends on the rise following Covid

The sales of armagnac blends have increased due to the added exposure brought to them by the pandemic according to Bordeneuve Châteaux & Collections.

US champagne imports down 19% in 2020

According to the Champagne Bureau USA, the exports of champagne to the US fell almost 19% in 2020 year-on-year.

Bombay Sapphire botanicals set for sustainable recognition in 2021

Bombay Sapphire has announced that all of its 10 botanical ingredients will be certified sustainable in 2021.

Covid-19 and Brexit hit UK gin exports

UK gin exports decreased by £100 million in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new figures from HM Revenue & Customs.

Halewood to offload Eisberg wines to Schloss Wachenheim

Alcohol free wine brand Eisberg is set to be acquired by Schloss Wachenheim AG (SWA) from Halewood Artisanal Spirits.

White Claw Mango enters UK market through Tesco

Hard seltzer brand White Claw has launched its Mango variety in the UK through supermarket chain Tesco.

UK port sales soar in 2020

Port sales in the UK saw impressive category growth throughout 2020, with the largest volume of off-trade sales since 2015.

Turkey increases special alcohol tax by 17.1%

Turkey has increased its special consumption tax on alcoholic beverages by 17.1%, according to Istanbul daily Habertürk.

Champagne sales soar as Brits find cause for celebration

UK retailers enjoyed soaring sales of Champagne and sparkling wine as the country basked in warm weather during the four weeks to September 5.

Book Review: Canadian Whisky The Portable Expert

The first book dedicated to Canadian whisky, according tohe publishers. So, not before time then.

Accolade Wines revamps Echo Falls

Accolade Wines has unveiled a new look for its Echo Falls Californian wine brand in key European markets, including the UK, Netherlands and Spain.

Man dies at Glenfiddich distillery

A man has been found dead at the Glenfiddich distillery in Scotland. According to several newspapers,  Brian Ettles died in a 16ft washback.

Czech Republic: Budvar toasts record exports

Budvar has reported record export results for 2011.

Master of Malt launches blogger blend St Isidore

Following a collaboration with whisky bloggers and journalists, Master of Malt has released St Isidore.

AXA Millesimes creates Sauternes for "younger market"

AXA Millesimes has released the 2009 Sauternes, Les Lions de Suduiraut, to global markets.

Master of Malt launches yesteryear expression

Online spirits merchant Master of Malt has extended its line of yesteryear spirit-based expressions with the launch of Proprietary Barley Spirit Drink.

Effect of deep discounting is on the wane in the UK

Deep discounting on wine by UK retailers may be having less impact on consumer behaviour, according to a new report

Beam launches Teacher's Origin whisky

Beam Global is to launch Teacher’s Origin in global travel retail. The product has already launched in India, where, according to Beam, Teacher’s is the number one blended whisky.

Premiumisation driving UK spirits, says First Drinks

Premiumisation is driving UK spirits volume and value growth in the on and off-trade, according to findings by First Drinks.

Ardbeg to launch Alligator expression

Ardbeg has announced the September launch of its new limited release, Ardbeg Alligator, to Europe, Asia and the US.

Brazil emerges as imported wine market

Brazilians are increasingly turning to wine as their beverage of choice, according to consumer research published by Wine Intelligence.

Diageo aims to make Captain Morgan 'global mega brand'

Diageo intends to grow Captain Morgan into a "global mega brand", according to Ed Pilkington, the group’s global category director for vodka, gin and rum.

Best Bar in the World revealed

A London speakeasy has been named the best bar in the world, according to an industry poll.

Nemiroff extends vodka production to Belarus

Ukrainian brand Nemiroff has begun producing vodka in the Republic of Belarus.

Napa Valley enjoys protection in India

The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) has announced that the ‘Napa Valley’ name has been granted Geographic Indication Status (GI) in India.

Moscow: Vodka sales banned between 10pm-10am

Russia: Moscow is to ban sales of vodka between 10pm and 10am, according to reports.

Irish whiskey 'recession proof'

US popularity and universal appeal have kept the Irish whiskey market buoyant, according to business analyst Datamonitor.

Asia: Women prefer red wine

Red is the most popular choice of wine for Asian women, according to new research.

General election candidates say pubs more important to communities than post offices and churches

Nine in ten parliamentary candidates in winnable seats believe pubs are an important part of the British way of life and more should be done to support them, according to a new poll released today by ComRes on behalf of the British Beer & Pub Association.

Bacardi invests £20m in rum marketing

UK: Bacardi has launched a new advertising campaign, called ‘Island’. The campaign is part of a £20million marketing spend.