UK introduces new wine labelling laws for 2024

The UK government is set to implement new requirements for the selling and labelling of wine nationwide from 1 January 2024.

Tito’s appoints new European distributors

Tito’s Handmade Vodka has announced the appointment of new distributors in nine markets in Slovakia and the Balkans.

Pernod Ricard FY23 sales up 10%

Pernod Ricard saw organic net sales rise 10% in fiscal 2023, driven by strong growth across all spirits categories, alongside broad-based growth across all regions.

Tito’s increases European footprint

Tito’s Handmade Vodka has appointed three new distributors in Germany, Greece, and Hungary, increasing its footprint in Europe.

Jura Distillery trials green building repairs

Jura Distillery, based in Scotland, is set to become the first building in the country to trial an innovative self-repairing limewash as part of the whisky maker’s commitment to sustainability within the industry.

California bill increases consumer access to spirits RTDs

California, US has introduced a bill to allow spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages to be sold under the same licence as beer and wine.

Springbank named World's Most Admired Whisky 2022

Springbank has been named The World’s Most Admired Whisky brand in the second edition of the annual top 50 list released by Drinks International.

“We never thought we’d actually win it”: Lab 22’s Max Hayward on having the world’s best cocktail menu

As the submission deadline approaches for the World’s 50 Best Bars Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu, Drinks International sat down with Lab 22 head bartender Max Hayward to reflect on what the accolade has meant for the bar.

Allied Market Research: Global tequila market projected to reach $24.19 billion by 2031

A recent report by Allied Market Research has shown that the global tequila market garnered $12.89 billion in 2021, and is estimated to generate $24.19 billion by 2031.

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.

Adnams announces Sierra Nevada collaboration to mark 150th anniversary

Suffolk-based brewery Adnams has announced that it will be collaborating with the California-based Sierra Nevada to launch a new transatlantic pale ale. 

Vodka brand Dima’s to donate 100% of cocktails sales to Ukrainian charities

Ukrainian vodka brand Dima’s has launched a fundraising initiative to support British-Ukrainian Aid and Come Back Alive, which see all proceeds from the purchase of four bottled cocktails going to charity.

Hendrick’s launches limited-edition Neptunia gin

Hendrick’s have launched Neptunia, a limited-edition gin using Scottish coastal botanicals and the latest release from master distiller Lesley Gracie’s Cabinet of Curiosities collection.

Bacardi launches non-alcoholic spirit brand

Bacardi has announced the launch of a new non-alcoholic spirit brand created, in collaboration with Amsterdam-based bartenders, with cocktails in mind. 

Proof and Co release 20-point guide to opening and operating a successful bar

Proof Creative, the bar and beverage consultancy arm of the Asia Pacific-based independent spirits distributor Proof & Co, has launched its 20 Pillar Plan as an online resource.

Former head sommelier of Zuma and Roka opens new London wine bar

Kevin McCabe, former head sommelier of Zuma, Roka and Yautacha Group, has teamed up with, Antony Lyon, of Lyon's Seafood & wine bar, to open a new brasserie and wine bar in east London.

Bollinger to acquire US-based Ponzi Vineyards

The Bollinger family has announced the acquisition of Oregon-based Ponzi Vineyards which will be its first winery in the US.

GreatDrams awarded for successful adaptation during Covid-19

GreatDrams has been named a winner at the Lloyds Bank Small Business of 2020 awards through the success of its virtual tastings.

Luxco subject to near $0.5bn acquisition by MGP Ingredients

MGP Ingredients has agreed a deal to acquire US spirits company Luxco for a value of $476m in cash and stock.

Ibiza-based Southside Bars offer online cocktail classes

Ibiza-based mobile bar company Southside Bars is now offering online cocktail masterclasses.

Bacardi unveils world's first biodegradable spirts bottle

Bacardi has unveiled plans to put the world’s first 100% degradable spirits bottles on shelves and back bars by 2023.

Off-Piste Wines slaloms into gin production

Off-Piste Wines has launched a gin aimed at mountain lovers, fresh-air adventurers and fireside dreamers.

Beam sets new Cooley focus

Following its €95m purchase of Cooley Distillery, Beam will phase out the supply of third-party brands to concentrate on building its core Irish whiskeys: Kilbeggan, Tyrconnell, Connemara and Greenore.

Patrón Spirits takes XO Café to China

Patrón Spirits International will introduce its XO Café variant to China following an agreement with the Shanghai-based Telford Wine & Spirits.

Adnams adds Morello Cherry Liqueur to the mix

English brewer and distiller, Adnams, has added Morello Cherry Liqueur to its range.

Buffalo Trace experiments with rice and oats

Buffalo Trace Distillery has launched its last ‘experimental’ bourbons of the year with the release of rice and an oat-based expressions.

Mexico: Beam teams up with La Madrileña

US: Mexico-based La Madrileña is to distribute Beam’s entire portfolio in Mexico. As part of the performance-based agreement, effective on January 1, 2012, La Madrileña will be the exclusive distributor of Beam’s brands, including Jim Beam bourbon, Sauza tequila, Courvoisier cognac and Cruzan rum.

Douglas Laing announces double-digit growth

Glasgow-based bottler and blender Douglas Laing & Co has attributed its 11% growth to the strong performance of Asian markets.

Auchentoshan flicks the switch

Glasgow-based whisky brand Auchentoshan completed the UK leg of The Auchentoshan Switch, a cocktail competition that offers two bartenders transatlantic internships.

Brown-Forman hires duty free quartet

Brown-Forman Duty Free has made four senior-level appointments, effective immediately.

Buffalo Trace extends un-aged line

Buffalo Trace has launched two un-aged bourbons, White Dog Wheated Mash and White Dog Rye Mash.

Rémy Cointreau makes directorial changes

Rémy Cointreau has announced “important” director-level changes to its Global Travel Retail (GTR) team, in the shape of the appointments of Matthew Hodges and Simon Roffe.

Brown Brothers appoints UK brand manager

Australian winery Brown Brothers has appointed Rachel Herrig as brand manager to “drive the brand’s development in the UK and Ireland”.

Gin Mare launches bartender competition

The owners of the Mediterranean gin brand, Gin Mare, have launched a bartender competition that culminates in a grand final on the island of Ibiza in September with a winner’s purse of £6,000.

Saxco appoints quality assurance manager

Saxco, a US-based group of packaging companies affiliated to Saxco International, has appointed James Hartman as quality assurance manager.

Brown-Forman looking to offload Fetzer

Brown-Forman, the major US drinks company, has announced a strategic review with a view to offloading its Californina-based wine assets.

Scotland: Minimum pricing rejected

The trade has welcomed the Scottish Parliament’s decision to reject minimum pricing. This was the final time in which MSPs could vote to decisively keep minimum pricing out of the Alcohol Bill. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has consistently argued that minimum pricing would be illegal and ineffective in addressing misuse, whilst significantly damaging one of Scotland’s key industries.

New Zealand cocktails go to UK

New Zealand/UK: NZ based ready to serve cocktail company VnC is to launch in the UK. The company has signed a distribution deal with Whyte & Mackay to launch into the UK market.