Pernod Ricard boycotts Facebook and builds app to combat social media abuse

Pernod Ricard has become the latest major company to halt advertising on Facebook and Twitter in a bid to stop the spread of hatred and misinformation.

Irish Distillers master distiller heads to Minneapolis to work for O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company

A craft spirits startup in Minnesota has secured the services of Irish Distillers’ master distiller Brian Nation.

Zamora Company USA adds Don Papa rum to portfolio

Zamora Company USA has bolstered its spirits portfolio with the addition of Filipino rum brand Don Papa.

Opihr Oriental Spiced unveiled at Imbibe Live

Quintessential Brands unveiled Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin yesterday at UK on-trade show Imbibe Live.

Patrick Ricard dies aged 67

Patrick Ricard the titular head of the Pernod Ricard family, has died. He was 67. Cause of death has not been disclosed but it is believed to be a heart attack.

Michael Cox is new Vintners' master

Michael Cox has been installed as the 518th Master of the Worshipful Company of Vintners for the forthcoming year.

Scotch infrastructure

Asian demand for whisky has boosted investment in Scotland, says Lucy Britner

Pernod turns up the volume

Credit to Pernod. The company has done a fine job this week in extolling the success of scotch whisky around the world and in telling important opinion formers that the company is best placed to capitalise on that thirst and in doing so earn lots of money for the company, its suppliers, customers, not forgetting its investors.

Pernod raises the stakes

Pernod Richard is raising the stakes in scotch whisky after a week in which it hosted a ‘Capital Markets Day’ of presentations up at its flagship Glenlivet distillery on Speyside.

Crabbie’s expands into US and Canada

Halewood International has expanded the distribution of its Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer brand into the US and Canada.

Wine to be packed in cartons in the UK for the first time

Tetra Pak, the world leader in its eponymous packaging, has announced that wine can be packed in its cartons in the UK for the first time

Diageo completes deal to buy Chinese white spirits company

Diageo has announced the completion of the mandatory tender offer for the outstanding shares in Chinese white spirits company, Sichuan Shuijingfang

Rémy Cointreau raises a cognac to Asia

Rémy Cointreau's consolidated turnover for the 2011/12 financial year was €1,026.1 million, an increase of 13% (up 15.6% organically) compared with the previous year.

SPI signs up Telford for Stoli's distribution in China

SPI Group has signed a five-year agreement with Telford International Company for the distribution of its Stolichnaya portfolio in China.

Altia post 7.6% net sales growth

Altia, the wine and spirits group that focuses on the Nordic countries, has announced a 7.6% net sales increase to €524.8 million for the year January to December 2011.

La Martiniquaise finalises QFS deal

French spirits group La Martiniquaise has finalised negotiations to take over Quartier Français Spiritueux. The financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed. La Martiniquaise first announced their intention to acquire the company in early 2011. 

Perthshire Raspberry Edinburgh Gin launches in UK

The Spencerfield Spirit Company has launched a Perthshire Raspberry edition of its Edinburgh Gin brand to the UK.

Beam makes senior appoint

Beam, the US-based global premium spirits company, has announced that Arthur Aroney will join the organisation as managing director of Emerging Markets for its Asia Pacific/South America (APSA) region.

Bacardi to launch $2000 anniversary rum

Bacardi Limited is planning a raft of activity to celebrate its 150th birthday. Besides parties and commemorative gifts, the company is to launch a $2,000 limited-edition decanter of "rare" Bacardi rum.

Czech Republic: Budvar toasts record exports

Budvar has reported record export results for 2011.

Heineken to up share in Haitian brewery

Heineken has declared an intention to increase its share in a brewery in Haiti to 95%.

Rok Stars thrash out Oval's UK debut

US consumer goods company Rok Stars has stuck a deal with Castle Trade Services to launch its recently acquired Oval vodka in the UK.

Russian Standard buys CEDC share for $25m

Vodka company Russian Standard has purchased a 9.9% share in CEDC (Central European Distribution Corporation) for $25.35 million.

Accolade sets its stall out

Accolade Wines has set its stall out, 10 months after Constellation Brands sold off its international wine division to an Australian private equity group.

Absolut signs with Lagena Distribution

The Absolut Company has entered into agreement with JF Hillebrand subsidiary, Lagena Distribution, for the management of the company's logistics and distribution.

Beam celebrates 12m barrels of bourbon

Beam Inc has celebrated the filling of the company’s 12 millionth barrel of bourbon since the repeal of Prohibition in the US in 1933.

Sogrape acquires Stevens Garnier

International wine producer Sogrape has acquired 100% of UK wine agency Stevens Garnier. The company previously owned 38% of Stevens Garnier and financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Mack revamps and extends Arctic Beer series

Norwegian beverage company Mack has redesigned and extended its Arctic Beer series.

Stock completes refinancing

Central European spirits and liqueurs company Stock Spirits Group is gearing up to acquire new business.

Shaker rattles and rolls out

Shaker BarSchools, the international bartender training company, has moved into bar operating with the opening of a bar in London.

Belvedere appoints CEO, looks to clear debts

Sobieski vodka owner Belvedere has appointed Krzysztof Trylinski as chairman and chief executive officer of the group. He aims to clear the company's debt by selling two of its brands.

Angostura CEO steps down

Angostura Holdings has announced the departure of managing director and CEO Wayne Yip Choy, effective September 21, 2011.

Pernod looks to Americas to overtake Diageo

Pernod Ricard is pinning hopes of further growth on the US, central and South America to undermine Diageo’s position as the number one drinks company in the world.

Nemiroff launches Distinct "eco-vodka"

Nemiroff Company has made its first step into eco-friendly spirits with the launch of Nemiroff Distinct, a vodka flavoured with aloe. 

Nomacorc registers double-digit growth

US-based synthetic closure brand, Nomacorc, has announced it registered 10% year-on-year growth during Q1 and Q2 of 2011.

Glenmorangie Company appoints new president

The Glenmorangie Company has promoted chief operating officer Paul Skipworth to the post of president and managing director.

Diageo acquires additional Halico stake

Vietnam: Global drinks giant Diageo has closed a Public Offer to acquire an additional 5.07% stake in Hanoi Liquor Joint Stock Company (“Halico”) for approximately £6.4 million. 

StarBev eyes international expansion for Staropramen

StarBev has announced ‘significant investments’ in its Staropramen brand, as it eyes international expansion.

£75K Château d’Yquem breaks record

A bottle of 1811 Château d’Yquem has been sold for £75,000, setting a Guinness world record.

South Africa: KWV CEO resigns

South Africa: The KWV board has announced that CEO Thys Loubser (pictured) has resigned as company CEO with immediate effect.

Constellation officially becomes Accolade

Costellation Wines Australia and Europe has officially become Accolade Wines - as of June 27. Accolade brands include Hardy’s and Echo Falls.

Remy launches Louis XIII jeroboam

Remy Martin has launched its Louis XIII cognac in a jeroboam decanter. The new format has a £16,000 price tag and there are 100 jeroboams available.

Glenglassaugh splits distillery manager role

The Glenglassaugh Distillery Company has appointed Mhairi McDonald and Graeme Morrison, to together fill the out-going role of distillery manager.

Cherry Heering announces cocktail finalists

The Xanté Company & Peter F Heering have announced the finalists of their Mad Men inspired cocktail competition, which will be part of Manhattan Cocktail Classic (MCC).

SAB Miller appoints deputy CFO

SABMiller has announced the appointment of James (Jamie) Wilson as deputy chief financial officer.

Stock Spirits enlists non-exec directors

Stock Spirits Group has appointed Waldemar Maj and Dominique Bach as non-executive directors.

Brown-Forman in $250m share repurchase

Brown-Forman has announced that its board of directors has authorised the repurchase of up to $250 million of its outstanding Class A and Class B common shares until November 30, 2011, subject to market and other conditions.

Canada: Corby sells Seagram Coolers brand

Canada: Brick Brewing Company has acquired the Canadian rights to the Seagram Coolers brand from Corby Distilleries. The transaction closed upon signing.

Stock posts impressive growth

The Stock Spirits Group has announced double digit organic volume growth with total sales volumes of 162.4 million litres in 2010.

Nemiroff celebrates strong sales

Nemiroff has reported strong growth in 2010. The Ukrainian vodka brand said sales volumes rose to $473.6 million – $56.8 million (13.6%) up on the previous year. The company said the largest growth areas were Ukraine and Poland.