Stauning launches global cocktail competition

Danish whisky Stauning has launched the ‘Stauning Drinks Kollektive’, a global cocktail competition which aims to shine a light on bartenders from Denmark, Germany, France, the UK, US and Australia.

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.

UK tax freeze brings short-term relief for wine sector

The UK government has announced a freeze on alcohol duty in the Spring Budget which was declared on Wednesday 6 March.

Double Dutch's Female Bartending Scholarship returns for 2024

Double Dutch, producers of mixers and tonics, has launched its Female Bartending Scholarship Programme for the fourth consecutive year, as part of its commitment to foster upcoming female talent in the hospitality industry.

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.

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.

Speciality Brands adds two brands to spirits portfolio

Spirits distributor Speciality Brands is adding Takamaka to its rum portfolio, alongside signing an exclusive partnership with Chichibu Distillery, taking over from Speciality Drinks.

Industry names to lead Schweppes brand ambassador programme

Schweppes has announced the launch of its European-wide brand ambassador programme.

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.

Tito's makes UK changes and supports Equal Measures

Tito’s Handmade Vodka has appointed Spirit Cartel as its new distributor for the UK and signed a sponsorship deal with Equal Measures.

British wine celebrates record 2023 harvest

WineGB has declared a record harvest for the British wine industry which is set to produce an estimated 20-22m bottles.

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.

Renais Gin to launch in the US

Renais Spirits has announced a national distribution agreement in the US for Spring 2024, following its launch in the UK in May this year.

East London Liquor Company bought out of administration

East London Liquor Co has been bought out of administration following “harsh new conditions” on its Time to Pay agreement with HMRC.

Ojo de Dios partners with Nightcap Brands

Ojo de Dios Mezcal has announced a partnership with Nightcap Brands as its official UK importer and sales agent.

Hi-Spirits UK announces name change

Sazerac Company has announced the renaming of subsidiary spirits distributor Hi-Spirits UK, to Sazerac UK.

Moth expands into the US

UK RTD brand Moth (Mix of Total Happiness) is launching in the US this week.

Jura distillery manager to retire

UK single malt whisky Jura has announced the retirement of distillery manager Graham Logan, following three decades of service.

Boutique rum bottler House of Rum launches in UK

The House of Rum, a new boutique rum bottler has announced its launch, specialising in exclusive single-vintage, single-cask, cask-strength rums.

Nc’nean secures funding to grow in North American markets

Nc’nean Distillery Limited has secured a Virgin Money funding package with the backing of UK Government department, UK Export Finance (UKEF), to help the independent distillery grow in North American markets.

Altamura appoints new international head of brand

Altamura Distilleries has introduced Lorenzo Di Cola, formerly of the Experimental Cocktail Club group, to its team as international head of brand across all key global markets, including Italy, the US, UK and India.

Havana Club launches Cocktail Maestros competition

Leading Cuban rum brand, Havana Club is proud to unveil its groundbreaking global bartending competition: Havana Club Cocktail Maestros, which sets the stage for a new era in the cocktail world.

Malibu launches new anti-spiking campaign

Malibu has partnered with anti-spiking charity Stamp Out Spiking to train 2,000 on-trade staff and consumers about dealing with a dangerous spiking situation.

Speciality Brands to distribute Distillerie de Grandmont in the UK

Drinks distributor Speciality Brands has signed an agreement with French spirits producer Distillerie de Grandmont to exclusively distribute the brand’s expressions in the UK from this month.

Speciality Brands to exclusively distribute Chopin Vodka

Drinks distributor Speciality Brands has signed an agreement with Chopin Vodka, to exclusively distribute the Polish brand in the UK from this October.

International Beverage acquires Cardrona Distillery

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

International Beverage to acquire Larsen Cognac business from Anora

International Beverage has entered into an agreement with Anora Group plc to acquire its Larsen Cognac business.

The Lost Explorer Mezcal appoints new UK brand ambassador

The Lost Explorer Mezcal has appointed Alan Uresti Silva, previously of Annabel’s, as UK brand ambassador.

London Cocktail Week adds new initiatives for 2023

London Cocktail Week has unveiled the Bartender Knowledge Exchange programme to help educate both local and international bartenders as part of a series of new initiatives in 2023 aimed at supporting the hospitality industry.

Brown-Forman announces Slovakia distribution business

American drinks group Brown-Forman has announced the launch of its own distribution business in Slovakia, bringing distribution in-house for the first time since the company entered the market.

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.

Puerto de Indias announces UK distribution partner

Spanish gin brand Puerto de Indias has announced its partnership for distribution in the UK with Love Drinks.

Simone Caporale's Sips and Boadas take over the Donovan Bar with Amaro Santoni

Simone Caporale’s Sips, named No.3 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022, and Boadas Bar are heading to the Donovan Bar in Mayfair, London, for a two-night takeover sponsored by Amaro Santoni this September.

Burnt Faith partners with Proof Drinks

Burnt Faith has partnered with drinks specialists, Proof Drinks, to drive interest in British brandy houses across the UK.

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.

Conor McGregor stout brand Forged enters UK market

Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor has announced the launch of his Irish stout brand Forged into the UK market through 350 ASDA stores on August 5.

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.

Joseph Cartron announces global winner of Unexpected Cartron Tour

Spiribam-UK and its fruit liqueur, eaux-de-vie and vermouth company, Joseph Cartron, have announced Daniel Seehuusen of Hotel Skansen, in Sweden as the global winner of its Unexpected Cartron Tour.

Alex Lawrence Milia named MD of Mr Lyan group

Alex Lawrence Milia has been promoted to managing director of Mr Lyan group and is now co-owner of the company’s venues.

House of Suntory partners with 100 UK bars

The House of Suntory is partnering with 100 of the UK’s bars to mark its 100th anniversary, as part of the brand’s ongoing commitment to the on-trade and hospitality sector.

Michael Hajiyianni: Ruby's great import

The cliché entry into bartending is during the university years, where a part time job to support a student loan snowballs into a career. But for some, hospitality is in their blood. Michael Hajiyianni, general manager of veteran Copenhagen bar Ruby, falls into the latter category.

Trivento named leading Argentinian wine brand by value by IWSR

The IWSR has recognised Trivento winery as the world’s top-selling Argentine wine brand.

Ramón Bilbao crowns inaugural Spanish Wine Master UK

Wine and Communications professional Kirsty Woodgate has been named the 2023 Spanish Wine Master UK after the grand final of the competition from the Spanish Wine Academy by Rioja’s Ramón Bilbao.

Jinro launches series of UK activations

Korean soju brand Jinro has launched the first of three activations in Europe planned for 2023 after breaking 100m 9-litre cases.

Chairman’s Reserve Spice Lab reveals 10 UK finalists

Chairman’s Reserve Rum of Saint Lucia has announced the 10 UK finalists of ‘The Chairman’s Spice Lab’, a program designed to showcase the abilities and understanding of the spiced rum category by bartenders around the world.

Celebrity tequila - the long term effects

While they put a focus on the spirit, some experts believe the explosion of brands backed by famous faces does the category and quality expectations no favours.

Outcast Brands joins forces with bbb drinks for UK Distribution Partnership

Outcast Brands, the company behind Blood Monkey Gin and Two Shores Rum, has announced their partnership with bbb drinks for the distribution and brand activation of their premium spirits in the UK market. 

Maison Bruno Paillard appoints Wanderlust Wine as UK distributor

Maison Bruno Paillard, the house specialising in Extra Brut Champagnes since its inception in 1981, has appointed Wanderlust Wine to distribute its portfolio in the UK.

Isle of Man rum Hoolie comes to Harrods

White rum Hoolie, distilled in an old milking shed, will soon be sold in Harrods as the Isle-of-Man-based spirits company continues its London takeover.

Joseph Cartron announces UK winner of its cocktail competition

Spiribam-UK and its fruit liqueur, eaux-de-vie and vermouth company, Joseph Cartron, have announced the UK winner of its Cartron Unexpected Cocktail Competition, Keoghán Taylor of Kiki Lounge.