Kyrö secures UK expansion with Waitrose listing

All-rye Finish distiller, Kyrö Distillery Company has secured a nationwide listing with UK supermarket Waitrose with the brand’s Kyrö Dairy Cream and Kyrö Ginnow available for purchase in-sotre and online.

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.

Amázzoni Gin and Nomad Collection support NGO Vem do Xingu

Owner’s of Amázzoni, Brazil’s first craft gin, have arranged with their UK distributor the Nomad Collection, to donate £2 for every bottle of Amázzoni sold in the UK to NGO Vem do Xingu.

Fred Sirieix named UK ambassador for G’Vine French gin

G’Vine gin, the French gin made with grapes, has announced Fred Sirieix as their first ever UK ambassador.

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.

International Beverage appoints Malcolm Leask to new managing director role

Global drinks business International Beverage Holdings has announced the appointment of vice president of sales, Malcolm Leask, to the new post of managing director.

UK Government freezes alcohol duty in mini-budget

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has announced that planned increases in alcohol duty have been ditched in his mini-budget.

Rampur Distillery launches range of Indian single malt whiskies

Rampur Distillery has announced the launch of Jugalbandi, a series of eight Indian single malt cask strength whiskies, with the first two set to be unveiled at Whisky Live in Paris.

Procera Gin releases 2022 vintage

Kenyan gin distiller Procera has launched the 2022 annual vintage of its ultra-premium Red Dot and Green Dot gin expressions both distilled using fresh Juniperus procera harvested in the nearby Kenyan highlands.

HiteJinro: Soju’s export mission

A spirit historically bound to the South Korean market, soju consumption is rapidly increasing in key global markets.

Cost of living crisis: UK hospitality lifeline

The cost of living crisis is a sobering prospect for hospitality. Of course, the entire drinks industry will be affected, from production to distribution, but hospitality is once again likely to take the biggest hit.

What next for Royal Warrants?

On 8 September 2022 Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in British history, passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle in Scotland aged 96.

Scarfes Bar at The Rosewood bartender to represent UK at elit Martini Masters global final

London’s Arturo Burzio, assistant head bartender at Scares Bar at The Rosewood, has been announced as elit Martini Masters cocktail competition global finalist.

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.

Sheffield’s Bamboo Door wins Chairman’s Reserve UK Mai Tai Challenge

Sheffield-based bar Bamboo Door was crowned the winner of the annual Chairman’s Reserve UK Mai Tai Challenge at a final held at Merchant House in London.

Kranebet Italian Gin Liqueur launches in the UK

Kranebet Italian Gin Liqueur, produced in Italy by Rossi d’Asiago distillers since 1924, has launched in the UK.

Heineken UK takes full ownership of Beavertown Brewery

Heineken UK has announced the purchase of the remaining shares of Beavertown Brewery, having purchased a minority stake in 2018, assuming full ownership of London’s largest brewery.

Edrington appoints new master blender for The Famous Grouse

Spirits company Edrington, has announced the appointment of Craig Johnstone as master blender for The Famous Grouse.

Pernod Ricard sales increase 17% in FY22

Pernod Ricard has released its FY22 Results, showing that sales grew organically by 17% in 2022, equalling €10.7m, with sales growing by double digits across each of its regions and spirit categories.

Alex Harrison: bottling craft

Young Spirits was founded in 2019 as a small batch bottling site for craft whisky and rum producers. In three years, the business has gone from strength to strength, tripling its revenue and growing from two to 42 employees. 

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.

White Peak auctions inaugural whisky for local charities

White Peak Distillery from Derbyshire, UK, is offering the last opportunity to own a bottle of its sell-out inaugural release of Wire Works Whisky via auction site Whisky Auctioneer.

House of Suntory announces Raffaele Di Monaco as UK brand ambassador

Edrington UK has announced the appointment of its latest UK Brand Ambassador for the House of Suntory, Raffaele Di Monaco.

Diablo announces the UK arrival of two new wines

Diablo, created by South American wine company Concha y Toro, has announced the arrival of two new wines to its portfolio.

Marcus Black: Capturing Harrogate’s spirit

Drinks International sits down with Spirit of Harrogate co-founder Marcus Black to talk heritage, sport, and how to create a gin that stands out from the crowd.

St-Rémy announces expansion into new global markets

French Brandy company, St-Rémy, is celebrating the success of its St-Rémy Signature which launched in 2020 and is showing growth in its pioneering markets of Canada, USA and Australia, as it continues to expand into new markets.

Jinro announces first Korean spirit sponsorship of major UK festival

The world’s number one selling spirit brand Jinro soju has announced it will be sponsoring Luno presents All Points East festival this month, the first time a Korean spirit brand has supported a major UK festival, making history for the global drinks market.

The UK drinks market key gin insights

The UK’s on-trade and hospitality outlets are preferring to serve leading brands of gin and tonic as their house products instead of supporting local and small-batch counterparts, as market researcher Shepper finds. 

Johnnie Walker is giving away 270,000 free drinks in the UK

Blended Scotch brand Johnnie Walker has announced a partnership with UK nightlife discovery app, DUSK, to give away 270,000 Johnnie Walker and lemonades at participating venues across the country.

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.

Chairman’s Reserve announces four finalists in its UK Mai Tai Challenge

Spiribam UK and its St Lucian rum brand Chairman’s Reserve have announced the four finalists in its nationwide Mai Tai Challenge.

The Drinks Trust launches bartending programme for UK's north-west

From September this year The Drinks Trust’s Develop programme will offer a bartending certificate provided by Mixology School and in partnership with United Kingdom Bartenders’ Guild.

Distell International launches new Amarula African Gin

Distell International’s Amarula African Gin is set to debut in Europe next month, starting with the UK, along with its Amarula Cream Liqueur, which has entered the European market for the first time.

Glenmorangie unveils packaging redesign

Glenmorangie Highland single malt whisky has revealed its new packaging, set to be rolled out from August this year in the UK, transforming all parts of the original design. 

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.

Beckie Sullivan appointed as UK brand ambassador for Courvoisier

Edrington UK has announced its appointment of Beckie Sullivan as UK national brand ambassador for Courvoisier.

Spier Wine Farm joins Freixenet Copestick’s portfolio

Spier Wine Farm, one of South Africa’s oldest wineries, has joined the Freixenet Copestick portfolio from this month.

WhistlePig announces launch of PiggyBack 100% Rye

Vermont-based rye whiskey distillery WhistlePig has announced the launch of the six years aged, 100% rye PiggyBack, created by late master distiller Dave Pickerell to showcase rye’s mixability.

Callooh Callaway announces 20-day bar takeover

This summer, bar brand Callooh Callay will be taking over 20 bars across 20 consecutive days in July, the first nationwide bar takeover rally in the UK.

Building Whiskey Bridges

Trade disputes resulting in crippling tariffs have been lifted after four years, but will America and its export countries find a permanent peace?

Old Mout launches limited edition cider glasses for WWF campaign

Old Mout is launching its biggest campaign yet to spread awareness of its partnership with WWF by introducing limited edition cider glasses.

Código 1530 announces two mezcal releases

Independent tequila brand, Código1530, has announced its entry into the mezcal category with the launch of two mezcal expressions.

Paul Symington awarded in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List

Paul Symington has been awarded a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Diageo announces partnership with the UK’s first LGBTQ+ museum

Diageo has announced a two-year partnership with Queer Britain in London, the UK’s first national LGBTQ+ museum.

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.

Fountain hard seltzer announces partnership with UK’s ASM Global venues

Hard seltzer Fountain, has announced a partnership that will see the brand launch bars at some of the UK’s largest venues, including OVO Arena Wembley and AO Arena in Manchester.

Graham’s Port launches global bartending competition

Graham’s Port has launched its first-ever bartending competition, in which seven bartenders from around the world will convene in Porto to compete for a €1000 cash prize and six months’ supply of Blend N º5 and Blend N º12.

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.

Keith Motsi: Heart and Seoul

Keith Motsi has carved a truly unique path through the hospitality industry. Having been born in Zimbabwe and raised in Leeds, UK, he now finds himself at the reins of one of Asia’s top luxury hotel bars.