The Yamazaki 18 wins Supreme Champion at International Spirits Challenge 2025
In the 30th edition of the International Spirits Challenge, Suntory Spirits has won the 2025 Supreme Champion award with The Yamazaki 18.
Rosemaund whisky brings Chase family home
With backing from film director Guy Ritchie, Rosemaund may seem like yet another celebrity whisky brand, but its story is far more poignant, one of family bonds, enduring passion and a long-awaited homecoming.
Spiribam France adds seven brands to distribution network
Spiribam has announced that its French subsidiary will handle the distribution of seven new partner brands across France.
Sarah Burgess joins International Beverage as master of whisky creation
International Beverage has named Sarah Burgess as the company’s new master of whisky creation.
Brendan McCarron joins The Lakes Distillery as whiskymaker
The Lakes Distillery has announced the appointment of Brendan McCarron as its new whiskymaker.
Abhishek Modi’s ambitious plans for Indian spirits
Modi Illva is capitalising on India’s global appeal by branching out into premium spirits for export. Shay Waterworth finds out more from the man at the helm.
La Martiniquaise-Bardinet acquires Warner's Distillery
French spirits group La Martiniquaise-Bardinet has acquired a majority stake in English gin producer Warner’s Distillery, for an undisclosed sum.
Bladnoch Distillery partners with Maison Villevert in French distribution deal
Bladnoch Scotch whisky distillery has partnered with premium spirits distributor Maison Villevert to accelerate growth of the single malt whisky brand in France.
Gordon Motion retires from Highland Park after 27 years
Edrington has announced that after 27 years, Gordon Motion is retiring as master whisky maker of Highland Park.
Whisky Hammer opens first operational base in mainland Europe
Online auctioneer Whisky Hammer, founded by Scottish brothers Craig and Daniel Milne, has announced the opening of its first operational base in The Netherlands.
Glenfarclas launches 70-year-old
Glenfarclas has released its oldest ever single malt which has been made available globally in limited volumes.
The Whisky Exchange names Natalie Tennent new managing director
The Whisky Exchange has appointed Natalie Tennent as its new managing director which will be effective from 7 July 2025.
Karuizawa Distillers to open Furaliss site in 2028
Karuizawa Distillers has announced plans to construct a whisky distillery called Furaliss in Furano City, Hokkaido, in partnership with Seibu Group and Furano city itself.
International Beverage launches Thailand's first single malt whisky
International Beverage has announced the global launch of Prakaan, Thailand’s first premium single malt whisky, following its entry into domestic and Asian markets last year.
Về Để Đi : Vietnam’s entry into New World whisky
“I had always wanted to make whisky and ended up in Vietnam, and realised there wasn’t a whisky distillery here,” Dr Michael Rosen, co-founder of Hanoi-based distillery Về Để Đi, told Drinks International.
ISC at 30: Whisky's oldest tasting competition
As the International Spirits Challenge hits a milestone, Oli Dodd asks some of the most respected whisky judges for their thoughts on how the competition has evolved and why it is so important.
Speciality Brands adds New Zealand whisky to portfolio
Spirits distributor Speciality Brands is growing its world whisky portfolio with the addition of New Zealand’s Thomson Whisky.
Whisky tariffs halved in UK-India trade deal
The UK and India have agreed a new trade deal which will see tariffs on gin and Scotch whisky fall to 40%.
OurWhisky Foundation Community platform launches
The OurWhisky Foundation has introduced the OurWhisky Foundation Community, a digital platform and app designed to connect whisky industry professionals around the world.
Speciality Drinks to distribute Sakari Sake
Sakari Sake has announced a partnership with Speciality Drinks to distribute its range in the UK.
JSMLA to register GI for Japanese whisky
The Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association (JSLMA) is planning to register Japanese whisky for Geographic Indication (GI) status.
Indian malt whisky trade body launches
The Indian Malt Whisky Association (IMWA), first incorporated in July 2024, has announced its official launch.
Nordic Whisky Distilleries unite to launch official collaboration
Nordic distilleries have announced the official launch of a collaboration to strengthen and promote the region’s whisky category on the global stage.
The Thompson Brothers launch crowdfund for sustainable distillery
Independent spirits producer The Thompson Brothers has announced a £1.8m crowdfunding campaign to help fund the construction of the Struie Distillery.
The OurWhisky Foundation appoints first executive director
The OurWhisky Foundation, the global non-profit supporting women in the whisky industry, has appointed its first executive director ahead of a restructure this year.
Stauning partners with Selfridges for exclusive release
Danish whisky brand Stauning has released its Rye Whisky Madeira Single Cask, a limited-edition whisky exclusively bottled for Selfridges at its London, Birmingham and Manchester stores.
Diageo invests in China with new single malt distillery
Diageo has unveiled the YunTuo Single Malt Whisky Distillery, the first of its kind for the company in China.
Trump return fears for global premium spirits
News of Donald Trump’s re-election as US president earlier this week has sparked fear over the possibility of further tariffs being implemented on the spirits industry.
Whisky production returns to The Cabrach after more than 170 years
After nearly two centuries, Speyside’s Cabrach Distillery has begun distillation of its first single malt whisky at its new distillery.
Compass Box receives £35m for global expansion
Scotch whisky maker Compass Box has secured a £35m loan from British bank Santander in order to support the international expansion of the brand.
Sotheby’s and Chivas Brothers enter long-term partnership
Sotheby’s is entering a long-term partnership with Chivas Brothers to bring aged, one-off creations to auction, exclusively for Sotheby’s collectors.
Glenfiddich launches 49-year-old Gleneagles exclusive
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, The Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland has partnered with Glenfiddich to launch a 49-year-old single malt.
Label 5 launches first flavoured spirit drink
La Martiniquaise’s Label 5 whisky has introduced its first flavoured spirit drink, Original Citrus.
The Yamazaki 12 wins Supreme Champion at International Spirits Challenge 2024
Suntory Spirits has won the International Spirits Challenge 2024 Supreme Champion award with The Yamazaki 12.
Beyoncé enters spirits world with Moët Hennessy partnership
Moët Hennessy has partnered on a joint venture with Beyoncé Knowles-Carter to create SirDavis, a new American whiskey.
Whisky Live Paris returns for 20th anniversary edition
Whisky Live Paris celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, returning to France’s capital with new addition to the 2024 show, The Agave Patio, paying tribute to the growing interest in the tequila and mezcal market.
Rosebank Distillery reopens with oldest whisky to date
The Rosebank Distillery has now opened its doors after more than 30 years of closure.
Ian Macleod Distillers and The Islay Boys reveal new distillery
Ian Macleod Distillers, in partnership with The Islay Boys, has announced an update on the progress of their new single malt whisky distillery, Laggan Bay, on Islay.
Label 5 launches first grain whisky
Label 5 blended Scotch whisky has launched its first single grain whisky which will initially roll out in the UK market.
Demeter Collection auction first to recognise women in whisky
The Demeter Collection, created to recognise the work of women in the whisky sector, has raised nearly £50,000 at auction for the OurWhisky Foundation.
Scotch Malt Whisky Society donates new series profits to OurWhisky
As part of its celebrations for International Women’s Day 2024 the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has released five single cask whiskies selected by an all-women tasting panel.
The Lakes Distillery honours International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day, The Lakes Distillery has released a limited-edition single malt whisky to celebrate inclusivity in whisky.
Beam Suntory France begins trading
Beam Suntory France has officially begun operations and is directly responsible for the marketing and distribution of its portfolio in France.
The Artisanal Spirits Company acquires Single Cask Nation
Whisky producer, The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC), and owner of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), has acquired US-based independent bottling brand, Single Cask Nation.
Jura distillery manager to retire
UK single malt whisky Jura has announced the retirement of distillery manager Graham Logan, following three decades of service.
BrewDog launches first rum cask sale with Whisky Hammer
BrewDog Distilling Co has released its first ever rum casks for sale as part of an annual online auction with specialist spirits auctioneer, Whisky Hammer.
The team behind Milroy’s of Soho and Silverleaf have opened a new whisky bar, Dram, on London’s Denmark Street.
Diageo announces regenerative agriculture programmes across Scotch and tequila
Don Julio producer Diageo, has announced two regenerative agriculture programmes across its tequila and Scotch brands in Mexico and Scotland.
Cask Whisky Association launches to protect reputation of Scotch
The Cask Whisky Association (CWA) has launched to create a safe environment for whisky enthusiasts and customers to buy and sell casks.
Ardbeg launches new experimental series 'Anthology Collection'
Islay single malt Ardbeg has released Ardbeg Anthology: The Harpy’s Tale, the first of a new experimental series from the LVMH brand.