WSET launches new sake course

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust has announced the launch of a new Level 2 Award in Sake from April 2024.

Mezcal brand The Lost Explorer enters tequila

Having worked for three decades as head distiller of Diageo’s Don Julio, maestro tequilero Enrique de Colsa has partnered with The Lost Explorer to create its first tequila line.

Cate Blanchett joins Toku Saké as creative director

Actor Cate Blanchett has joined Toku Saké as creative director where she will direct the strategy of the brand, including new product development and innovation.

Whitebox Cocktails partners with Artisan Spirits

Ready-to-serve cocktail brand Whitebox Cocktails has partnered with brand-building agency, Artisan Spirits, to expand its international distribution.

Danico bar introduces new menu

Paris-based bar Danico, recently ranked no. 51 in the World’s 50 Best Bars 51-100 list 2023, has launched its third cocktail menu, ‘Japan’.

Paragon to exclusively distribute Zamora brands in the UK

Drinks importer and distributor, Paragon Brands, has announced its new role as the exclusive distributor of Zamora Company spirits and liqueurs in the UK.

Velvet Bar launches icon-inspired menu

Velvet By Salvatore Calabrese, set in the Corinthia London, has announced the launch of its new menu ‘The Quote Book’, Drinks International can exclusively reveal.

Holyrood Distillery secures funding package with fintech Ferovinum

Edinburgh’s Holyrood Distillery has secured a new funding package with specialist wine and spirits fintech Ferovinum, to support its domestic and international growth plans in 2024 and beyond.

Takamaka launches into Germany

Trois Frères Distillery has announced a new partnership with Kirsch Import to distribute its Takamaka rums across Germany as of this month. 

Galaxy Bar Dubai introduces new menu

Dubai’s Galaxy Bar has unveiled a new menu alongside the launch of a mobile app and new interiors.

Bar Llama comes to Madrid

Natasha Bermúdez, bar director of New York’s Llama group, has launched a new venue in Madrid, Bar Llama.

Chivas Brothers strike action suspended

Chivas Brothers has brought forward a new pay package to suspend strike action threatened by Unite, a 500-member union.

Altos launches range of infused tequilas

Pernod Ricard has unveiled a new range of infused tequilas, Altos Infusionado, marking the brand’s most significant launch since its conception.

Badet Clément announces new name and winemaker

Laurent and Catherine Delaunay, founders and owners of Badet Clément, have unveiled a new name for their international family wine group, Delaunay Vins & Domaines.

Hacha introduces Cymatics menu inspired by music

London agaveria Hacha has launched its new menu, Cymatics, showcasing 12 cocktails inspired by music from some of the industry’s most notable names, past and present.

Silverleaf launches new menu

Silverleaf bar at Pan Pacific London has launched its new menu, Building Blocks, the first new menu launch for the bar since opening in February 2022. 

Outcast Brands expands into seven new markets

Outcast Brands, the Dublin-based spirits company has announced the expansion of its global presence with the introduction of its Blood Monkey gins and Two Shores rums into seven new international markets.

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.

International Beverage acquires Cardrona Distillery

International Beverage has announced its acquisition of New Zealand spirits producer, Cardrona Distillery.

Maker's Mark appoints new UK brand diplomat

Edrington UK has announced the appointment of its latest UK brand diplomat for Maker’s Mark bourbon, Charlotte Pederson.

Bar Daskal introduces Spanish masterclass series

Bar Daskal, the London-based Spanish wine and cocktail bar from the team behind Barrafina, and restaurant booking platform Resy have announced the first Bar Daskal Maestros, a new series bringing guests masterclasses from maestros in the industry.

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.

Neal Bodenheimer on taking Tales from the brink to the world

Hamish Smith speaks to Neal Bodenheimer, board member and co-resurrector of Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans.

Suntory Oceania forms as region's fourth largest beverage group

Beam Suntory and Frucor Suntory have joined to form Suntory Oceania, a new AU$3bn partnership across the premium spirits and non-alcohol segments in both Australia and New Zealand.

UK government introduces new tax system on alcoholic beverages

New government regulations have been introduced in the UK from August 1 which will see alcoholic beverages now taxed on strength.

Nico de Soto to open Soho bar in October

Nico de Soto, ranked 23 in Drinks International’s Bar World 100 list in 2023, will open a new bar in London’s Soho this October.

Nipperkin Bar launches at 20 Berkeley

20 Berkeley, the new British produce-led restaurant and bar in Mayfair, London, has launched its Nipperkin Bar. 

Penfolds appoints new creative partner

Penfolds has announced Nigo, the founder of Human Made and artistic director of Kenzo, as its first-ever creative partner.

New tequila Sphynx enters the agave market

Former Big Brother contestants, Sukhvinder and Imran Javeed, have founded a new tequila brand called Sphynx. 

Court unseals Diddy’s racial discrimination lawsuit against Diageo

Newly unredacted documents have shed light on US rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs claims of racial discrimination against drinks giant Diageo.

Bladnoch Distillery releases The Samhla Collection

Bladnoch Distillery, the oldest privately-owned Scotch whisky distillery in the Lowlands, has announced the launch of its new collection of whiskies: The Samhla Collection. 

Peru’s Sastreria Martinez launches new menu

Peru-based cocktail bar, Sastreria Martinez, has announced the launch of its brand new menu titled Collection 2023.

DI joins Tales of the Cocktail platform for change

Shay Waterworth explains why DI believes it’s so important to partner with Tales of the Cocktail on its Beyond the Bar programme.

The Merchant launches new cocktail book with sustainability focus

Belfast’s Merchant Hotel has launched a new cocktail list, Volume V of The Cocktail Book, featuring a selection of 20 cocktails.

High Point changes name to Wavelength

High Point, the fermented non-alcoholic aperitif and digestif brand, has changed its name to Wavelength and unveiled a new logo. 

Artesian Bar launches new menu ‘Ingredients of the Future’

Drinks International can exclusively reveal that Artesian Bar, located at The Langham London, is launching a new menu titled ‘Ingredients of the Future’. 

Sean 'Diddy' Combs sues Diageo over racism claims

US rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has sued Diageo over racism allegations and undermining the partnership with Combs Wines and Spirits.

The Savoy's American Bar launches new menu

The Savoy’s American Bar has announced a brand-new cocktail menu created by head bartender, Chelsie Bailey and her team. 

Moët Hennessy reaches new sustainability milestones

Moët Hennessy has reached new sustainability milestones at three of its vineyards in France (Château Galoupet) and in Argentina (Chandon Argentina and Terrazas de los Andes).

Spiral Cellars launches new wine storage system

Spiral Cellars, the UK purveyor of luxury wine storage, is launching a new wine storage system with its UnSpiral Cellar. 

Baccarat Bar launches first new menu since opening

Drinks International can exclusively reveal that Baccarat Bar, located on the lower ground floor of Harrods, is launching its first new menu since opening its doors in July 2020. 

The Macallan reveals The Colour Collection at TWFA Singapore

The Macallan gave a first glimpse of its Colour Collection, a new range of whiskies exploring the brand’s commitment to delivering natural colour through maturation in sherry seasoned casks.

Bushmills opens £37m distillery to double production

Proximo has officially opened its £37m distillery in Northern Ireland which is poised to double the production of Bushmills Irish Whiskey.

Scarfes Bar launches new menu to celebrate 10 years

This April, Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London is launching its new menu ‘10’, in celebration of its 10-year anniversary. 

Absolut expands its drinks range

Absolut expands its product portfolio as the company’s global NPD plans this year include two new product ranges and a new addition to its current flavour vodka range.

SubAstor announces new cocktail menu

São Paulo, Brazil's SubAstor, has announced its new cocktail menu ‘Six Biomes of Brazil’. 

Nobu Bar appoints Sophie Bratt as new bar manager and launches cocktail experience

Nobu Hotel London Portman Square's Nobu Bar has launched a new cocktail experience inspired by Nobu Matsuhisa’s global travels.

Hendrick’s launches new limited release

Hendrick’s Gin has launched a new limited release from its 'Cabinet of Curiosities', Hendrick’s Flora Adora.

Gin shines brightly in travel retail

Gin may have fallen out of favour in the UK, but its prospects are much brighter in travel retail.

Connaught Bar launches new menu to mark its 15th birthday

The Connaught Bar has unveiled a new menu, Synergia, to mark the Mayfair institution’s 15th anniversary.