RTD growth led by cocktails and long drinks

The IWSR Drinks Market Analysis has released results for its 2022 Strategic Study examining and forecasting growth in the ready-to-drink (RTD) category.

Cazcabel Tequila unveils plans for new $37million distillery

Premium tequila brand Cazcabel has announced that its $37million distillery is set to open in Atotonilco El Alto in the Jalisco highlands of Mexico in 2023.

Iichiko shochu changes US distributor

Iichiko shochu has signed an importer agreement with Shaw-Ross International Importers to expand its availability across the US.

Luxco reports 27% growth in sales across Germany and Europe

US-based drinks group Luxco has reported a 27% uplift in annual sales across Germany and Europe.

Selim Bocti: the new age of fine wine

VintageCellar is a member-only fine wine investment app that launched in the UK in July. Drinks International caught up with chief executive and founder Selim Bocti to talk about his mission to bring fine wine investment into the 21st century.

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.

Beam Suntory reports strong first-half performance driven by premium brands

A strong performance in key markets saw Beam Suntory’s net sales increase by 13% year-on-year in the first half of 2022, a 25% increase on the pre-pandemic period in 2019.

London’s Lyaness named world’s best bar at The Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards

Lyaness at Sea Containers London took top honours as it was named World’s Best Bar at the 16th annual Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards at the New Orleans Ritz Carlton Hotel.

Japanese Whisky: Pushing Premium

Japanese whisky continues to go from strength to strength as shochu producers turn to the category to make their mark in international markets.

Vodka Takes a Stand

Businesses all over the world have boycotted Russian vodka in a show of solidarity with Ukraine, but what does this mean for the wider vodka market?

Rhum Agricole: Quality Guaranteed

When it comes to the production of rhum agricole, terroir is key to quality. Oli dodd meets those at the forefront of this lesser-known spirits category.

Familia Torres acquires new Pontevedra winery

Familia Torres has consolidated its vinicultural project in the Rías Baixas appellation of origin, with the acquisition of a new winery in the province of Pontevedra.

Shochu now sold under beer and wine license in New York

Shochu can now be sold under its own category name in the state of New York, US, after amendments to the Beverage Control Act allowing Japanese Shochu (24% ABV or under) to be sold under a beer and wine license.

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.

BrewDog opens 25 bars in India

Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog is set to open 25 more bars in India, growing its presence in the craft beer market.

Global alcohol market value surpasses 2019 levels

The value of the global alcohol market grew by 12% to reach US$1.17 trillion in 2021, making up for the 4% covid-driven losses in 2020, new data from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis has found.

Attaboy named Best Bar in North America

Attaboy in New York has been crowned the winer of the inaugural edition of North America’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier.

Two Schmucks announces US tour

Barcelona-based cocktail bar Two Schmucks has announced a four-week US tour that will take the team to five of America’s most renowned bars across five states.

Talking the challenges of cocktail weeks

Having recently returned from the US visiting both Oakland and Arizona Cocktail Weeks I was amazed by the differences in approach. In Oakland there was a much bigger trade focus and it felt more relaxed, whereas in Arizona it was one massive party for consumers.

The Dubliner Irish Whiskey announces launch of Fiery Irish

The Dubliner Irish Whiskey has announced the launch of a new cinnamon and chilli flavoured whiskey liqueur variant.

Dewar’s launches Mizunara oak cask finished Scotch in the UK

Scotch whisky brand Dewar’s has announced the latest release in the brand’s Cask Series, Japanese Smooth, an 8-year-old blended Scotch finished in Japanese Mizunara oak casks.

Brockmans Gin sales hit one million bottles in 12 months

Super-premium gin Brockmans has announced that one million bottles were sold within a 12-month period, a milestone for the brand.

Yellow Tail tops global wine brand power list

The Wine Intelligence Global Wine Brand Power Index 2022 has reported that Yellow Tail is again the world’s most powerful wine brand with Casillero del Diablo meaning an unchanged top two.

Diageo acquires female-owned flavoured Tequila brand 21Seeds

Diageo has announced the acquisition of super-premium flavoured Tequila brand 21 Seeds.

Diageo India invests in premium gin producer Nao Spirits

United Spirits Limited (Diageo India) has announced an investment of INR 31.5 crores (US$ 4.1m) to acquire a strategic minority stake in Nao Spirits.

Russian vodka boycotts in US have little impact on war, says expert

An industry expert believes that boycotts on Russian vodka across the US will have little impact on the war due to the divide between ‘control states’ and those under the three tier system.

A 'Michelin' for the bar industry, The Pinnacle Guide launches

London Cocktail Week founders Siobhan Payne and Hannah Sharman-Cox, alongside Global Bartending’s Dan Dove, have announced the launch of the Pinnacle Guide, a new one, two and three ‘Pin’ recognition system for the world’s best bars.

South African Wine Rebounds

Strong demand from the UK, the US and China helped South African wine exports increase by 12.1% in value to R10.2bn in 2021.

Pernod Ricard UK expands its portfolio with new super-premium Kentucky whiskies

Pernod Ricard UK has expanded its American whiskey portfolio with Rabbit Hole making the UK the first European market to launch the brand.

The effects of Covid-19 on 50 Best Bars

The World’s 50 Best Bars reflects travel restrictions and spotlights neighbourhood bars, says Nick Strangeway.

No and low alcohol sales reached almost $10 billion in 2021

Sales of no and low alcohol beverages in 10 key global markets reached almost $10 billion in 2021 up from $7.8 billion in 2018, according to a new IWSR report.

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.

Craft spirits outpace non-craft in the US in 2020

In 2020, craft spirits in the US volume gains of almost 8%, growing to a 5% volume share and 7% value share of the total US spirits market, according to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

Lucas Bols announces strong revenue returns

Lucas Bols has announced a return of revenues to pre-Covid times for the first half of the 2021/22 financial year.

Villa Massa launches Vermouth Giardino

Villa Massa has launched Vermouth Giardino, a pair of super-premium vermouth designed with the professional bartending community in mind.

Mastiha brand Axia launches in the UK

Axia spirit, the world’s first extra-dry Mastiha spirit, has been released in the UK following launches in Greece and the US.

Inflation looms for alcohol industry

Central banks are coming under increasing pressure to hike interest rates after inflation soared across the globe.

Diageo to build $75m whisky distillery in China

Diageo has revealed plans to build a US$75m malt whisky distillery in southwestern China.

Trade reacts as US/EU whiskey tariffs dropped

Both parties have expressed their delight by Saturday’s announcement that the US and EU have agreed to lift retaliatory tariffs on American whiskey.

Monaghan wins first Flor de Caña Rum Sustainable Cocktail Challenge

Manachain Monaghan from the UK has been crowned global champion of Flor de Caña Rum’s Sustainable Cocktail Challenge with his ‘Steamship’ cocktail.

RTD category volume share forecasted to double in next five years

Demand for ready-to-drink (RTD) products continues to grow amongst consumers, with the category expected to account for 8% of total beverage alcohol by 2025 according to a new report from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

Streaming platform Spirits Network seeking UK bartenders for new cocktail competition

New York-based media company NBTV Studios has announced the UK launch of streaming platform, Spirits Network, and is inviting UK bartenders to audition for its inaugural programme, Shake Off.

DoorDash launches alcohol delivery service in the US, Canada and Australia

DoorDash is taking on Uber and Instacart by launching an alcohol delivery service in the United States, Canada and Australia.

Boston Beer Co. share price tumbles due to weak hard seltzer demand

Boston Beer Company saw its share price plummet by almost 10% yesterday after weak demand for hard seltzer forced it to pull its earnings guidance.

US named 'most attractive' wine market in Global Compass report

The United States has once again topped the list of the most attractive wine markets in the world,  according to a new report from Wine Intelligence.

Absolut Vodka unveils new bottle design

Absolut Vodka has announced a new bottle, the brand’s biggest design update since 1979.

The Rise of DTC Sales

The Covid-19 pandemic has inspired drinks producers across the world to significantly ramp up their focus on direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales.

Cachaça: Breaking out of Brazil

For many drinkers outside of its native Brazil, cachaça is a largely mysterious category, perhaps known as the star of a Caipirinha and nothing more. In its homeland, however, cachaça’s popularity borders on religious.

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.

Surge in hard seltzer brands slow uptake

It has been a sobering quarter for hard seltzers. Sales of the canned RTD that disrupted the US alcohol market when it burst on to the scene in 2016 have finally stalled.