Maxxium UK to become Edrington-Beam Suntory UK Distribution

Maxxium UK has announced that it is to change its name to Edrington-Beam Suntory UK Distribution Limited, from April 1.

Subramaniam to lead Bacardi in Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa

Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held spirits company, has announced the internal promotion of Vijay S. Subramaniam to managing director - Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa (AMEA).

End the Scotch ‘Supertax’ of nearly 80%

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is calling on politicians to give the scotch whisky industry the support it needs to ensure it remains a ‘great British success story’.

Brexit can boost spirits exports says WSTA chief

WSTA chief executive officer Miles Beale believes the UK can use Brexit to boost spirit export numbers after 45 new distilleries emerged in 2016.

Britvic points to healthy lifestyles for bigger sales

Britvic believes that consumers choosing ‘healthier living and moderate drinking’ is the reason for the increase in sales for 2016.

WSET Week USA set for May launch

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust will host the first WSET Week USA from May 1-7, 2017.

IBWSS comes to London in 2018

The International Bulk Wine and Spirits Show will return to London in February 2018 for trade professionals to source private and commercial suppliers.

Future growth lies with the Americas and Asia Pacific

Forecasts for future growth in wine and spirits consumption to 2020 show the Americas and Asia Pacific are the countries to concentrate on, according to recent IWSR research.

DISCUS calls on Trump to aid exports

The Distilled Spirits Council has said it looks forward to working with the Trump administration to expand access for US agricultural exports, including distilled spirits, in foreign markets.  

Jinro dominates Millionaires' Club list again

Soju brand Jinro has been named the top-selling spirit in the world in the Millionaires’ Club 2016, after selling 73.8m 9-litre last year.

Helms is Brown-Forman's GTR marketing director

Brown-Forman has announced that Eric Helms has become marketing director for its Global Travel Retail division.

Altia appoints media man to its board

Altia, the leading Nordic and Baltic wine and spirits company, has appointed Kai Telanne to its board of directors.

Balcones opens new distillery

Waco craft whisky distiller Balcones has a new distillery site, in what was formerly the old four-story Texas Fireproof Storage Building.

The New Standard

Standard spirits sales are growing but small budgets mean its often up to the bottle to do the talking. Hamish Smith reports.

The Educator

The Wine and Spirits Education Trust’s Ian Harris is a man on a mission. Disciple Christian Davis catches up with the missionary

Think Gin 2016

Tullamore DEW opens its Ultimate Distillery Experience

Tullamore DEW, the Irish whiskey owned by William Grant & Sons, has open the doors of its distillery to the public with the launch of its Ultimate Distillery Experience.

The SWA opens London office

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) opens its London office today (December 3).

Marie Brizard reports "contrasting" Q3

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits has recorded a third quarter of contrasts, with improvements in France but penalisation in the US and Poland. 

Brown-Forman's new whiskey to rival top Irish brands

Brown-Forman yesterday welcomed guests to the site of its new $50m Irish whisky operation, Slane Distillery, which it hopes could create a brand to challenge the top brands of the category.

Gautier Cognac’s UK distribution with Catalyst

Catalyst Brands has signed a distribution agreement with Gautier Cognac to distribute its VS, VSOP and XO Cognacs exclusively throughout the UK.

Diageo results, year ended June 30

The world’s largest premium drinks company has announced a net sales increase of 5% for the year ended June 30.

Suntory sells Louis Royer cognac

Suntory Holdings has announced the sale of cognac group Louis Royer to the family group Terroirs Distillers, a privately-held fine spirits company based in France.

Beefeater starts search for MIXLDN 2015

Leading gin brand Beefeater is calling on the world’s top bartenders to enter this year’s Beefeater MIXLDN Global Bartender Cocktail Competition.

Sparkling wine, spirits and beer drive UK market growth

The UK alcohol market has returned to growth following years of continuous decline, according to the latest WSTA market report. 

New Beefeater limited edition

Beefeater London Sounds is the name of the gin brand's latest limited edition.

WSTA celebrates World Gin Day

The UK’s Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) says it will be celebrating the seventh annual World Gin Day tomorrow by highlighting the success of the UK’s growing gin industry.

Brown-Forman to build $50m Irish whiskey distillery

The Brown-Forman Corporation has announced that it has purchased all shares of Slane Castle Irish Whiskey Limited and is to build a new $50 million distillery there.

Ricard sets out new Pernod era

Alexandre Ricard set his stall out yesterday (June 2) as Pernod Ricard celebrated 40 years of the two anise brands merging.

U’Luvka appoints Zajaczkowski

U’Luvka, the premium Polish vodka brand, has appointed Robert Zajaczkowski as its global brand manager.

Asia at turning point says cognac chief

Asia, and specifically China, is heading back to growth following the Chinese government's clamp down nearly two years ago on extravagant entertaining, excessive drinking and gifting.

SPI appoints Piana as Stoli USA CEO

The SPI Group has announced the appointment of Patrick Piana as Stoli Group USA's new CEO, effective August 2015.

Irish whiskey to double exports by 2020

Irish minister for agriculture, food and marine Simon Coveney will launch the Irish Whiskey Association’s ‘Vision for Irish Whiskey’ at an event this evening (May 12) in the Old Jameson Distillery, in Dublin.

Beam Suntory simplifies its regional structure

Beam Suntory has announced that it will simplify its regional structure by merging its four operating regions into three.

The WSET wins Queen’s Award

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has been awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2015 in international trade.

Belvédère announces new executive committee

Belvédère SA, the wine and spirits company in Europe and the US, has announced has announced the composition of its executive committee, headed by CEO Jean-Noël Reynaud.

Global Spirits appoints Criscione to md Americas

Global Spirits, a privately held international manufacturer and marketer of wines and spirits, intends to expand its global presence by establishing an Americas Business Unit which will be based out of the company’s New York office.

Roskrow shortlisted for Fortnum & Mason award

Drinks International’s regular spirits writer Dominic Roskrow has been short-listed for a coveted Fortnum & Mason Food and Drinks Award for work carried out for Drinks International.

Altia board goes international

Economist Sanna Suvanto-Harsaae becomes the new chairman of Altia’s board. Other new members of the board are: Kim Henriksson and Kasper Madsen who bring expertise on the Nordic market.

Hendrick’s Botanical Garden at Mr Fogg’s

Cocktail bar, Mr Fogg’s in London’s Mayfair said to be the home of the eccentric British adventurer, Phileas J. Fogg is the site of Hendrick’s gin brand’s Botanical Garden.

Bacardi appoints VP of fashion

Akiko Maeda has been appointed Bacardi's VP of fashion, responsible for developing partnerships that further incorporate the group's portfolio of spirits brands into the fashion world.

Scotch whisky exports down

Scotch whisky exports declined 7% to £3.95 billion in 2014, according to figures from the UK government’s HM Revenue and Customs published today (1 April).

Old Pulteney to help seafarers

Old Pulteney has announced a partnership to raise funds for the maritime charity, The Mission to Seafarers.

Alcohol price increases have slowed

The WSTA says new research shows that price increases in the off trade have slowed since the Government scrapped the alcohol duty escalator, cut beer duty and froze duty on spirits in 2014.

Farrer is md of Brown-Forman’s global travel retail

Brown-Forman has announced that Marshall Farrer, described as a “veteran employee” with various domestic, international, and global roles in sales and marketing, is its global travel retail team’s new managing director.

Adnams reports £66m sales and £3.8m operating profit

The Suffolk brewer and distiller and retailer has reported sales of £66 million and a £3.8m operating profit, in its report and accounts for the 12 months to December 31, 2014.

Edrington launches specialist travel retail unit

Edrington, owners of brands such as The Macallan, Famous Grouse and Snow Leopard, has announced the launch of Edrington European Travel Retail.

The Distillers’ City Debate 2015

Just how innovative is the whisk(e)y industry? is the subject of this year’s Distillers;’ City Debate on May 14.

Campari full year results

Gruppo Campari has published its full year results for 2014 which it says is in line with its expectations.

Diageo commits $400m to Mexico

Diageo has pledged to make capital investment to expand local production facilities across distilling, bottling and water treatment as well as increasing its agave farming capacity in Mexico, following the completion of its acquisition of Tequila Don Julio last week.