Blavod gets TTB approval

Distil has announced that its Blavod Black vodka has been approved for sale in the US by the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).

Scotch contributes £5bn on the UK

The scotch whisky industry, adds almost £5 billion in value every year to the UK economy, according to a report commissioned by the Scotch Whisky Association.

Diageo appoints e-commerce manager

Diageo has appointed a digital and e-commerce manager for Europe – a new role created to unify the company’s digital practices and develop a comprehensive digital presence.

Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell promotes son Eddie

Wild Turkey master distiller Jimmy Russell has announced that he has promoted his son, Eddie, to share his responsibilities.

Bacardi appoints industry veteran Perego

Bacardi has announced an internal appointment of a new regional president for Europe.

Pennell goes to Edrington

Maxxium UK’s managing director Huw Pennell is leaving to take up a new job at Edrington, one of Maxxium’s shareholders.

Prowein: space the final frontier

The move to new halls will allow fresh ideas and innovation in the wine sector, according to the Prowein organisers.

New second generation Vinexpo

The 2015 Vinexpo is a turning point. It is the second generation, so says the new CEO, Guillaume Deglise.

Bacardi launches Aultmore expressions

Bacardí has unveiled a new range of proprietary bottlings from its John Dewar & Sons’ Aultmore distillery. 

Johnnie Walker backs drink/drive campaign

Johnnie Walker is today (Dec 4) staging a driving spectacular in Edinburgh with some Formula 1 stars to encourage people to never drink and drive.

New Macallan distillery started

Edrington has marked the official start of works on its £100 million distillery and visitor centre for its The Macallan single malt scotch whisky brand.

SWA makes Pernod's Pringuet its new chairman

The Scotch Whisky Association has appointed Pierre Pringuet, CEO of Pernod Ricard, as its new chairman.

Hayman releases limited edition Family Reserve gin

Gin distiller Hayman has launched a small batch gin called Family Reserve, which is rested for three weeks in aged scotch whisky barrels.

Antica Sambuca to be distributed by Synergy in Russia

Rossi D’Asiago has announced that its flagship sambuca Antica, the second best selling brand in the category worldwide, will be distributed in Russia by the Synergy Group.

Armagnac Academies’ success in China

The first Armagnac Academy in China took place on Thursday October 30 in Beijing at the Crown Plaza hotel in the Wangfujing district.

Asia to remain key for long-term growth

Asia remains the key region for the long-term development of the global alcohol market, according to the IWSR’s latest report.

Spirits France buys majority stake in Janneau

Spirit France, leading producer of Calvados with the brands Père Magloire, Boulard and Lecompte, has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Armagnac brand: Janneau.

New limited edition Martell

Martell, which claims to be the oldest of the great cognac houses, is celebrating its 300th anniversary with the release of a new limited edition expression, Martell Premier Voyage.

WSTA Spirits Committee elects new chairman

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s Spirits Committee has elected Finn O’Driscoll, managing director of SHS Drinks, as its new chairman. He replaces Chris Searle.

Irish Whiskey Academy opens to the general public

Irish Distillers is opening the doors to its Irish Whiskey Academy to the general public with in-depth courses available to spirits enthusiasts from December this year.

Explorers Club and Diageo settle

The Explorers Club has announced that it has come to a settlement with Diageo over the use of its name in regard to the global number one scotch whisky brand, Johnnie Walker.

Scotch whisky exports decline in first half of 2014

Exports of scotch in the first half of the year were £1.77 billion, down 11% from £1.99bn in the same period of 2013, according to the Scotch Whisky Association.

Tullamore distillery opens for business

William Grant & Sons' new €37 million distillery in the small Irish town of Tullamore, officially opened on September 17.

Denis O’Flynn is next WSTA chairman

Pernod Ricard UK managing director, Denis O’Flynn has been elected as the next chairman of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), succeeding Nick Hyde in January 2015.

Pernod hit by China and currency exchange rates

Pernod Ricard CEO Pierre Pringuet remains optimistic about China despite 23% decline in sales in its full year results.

New Johnnie Walker houses at Mumbai and Taipei

Diageo Global Travel has announced the opening of two Johnnie Walker House retail showcase stores in travel retail – one in Mumbai, India and another in Taipei, Taiwan.

Berrys to distribute Karlsson’s Gold

Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits is to distribute Karlsson’s Gold vodka worldwide, except in the US.


Wray & Nephew take on Averna in UK

UK distribution of Averna, the second best-selling bitter in Italy, has gone to J. Wray and Nephew UK.

APTRA rolls out responsible training at Singapore Changi

The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association has embarked on a new Responsible Retail Training Programme (RRTP) for DFS staff in stores at Singapore Changi airport.

Kyndal to bottle, distribute and market Cutty Sark in India

Edrington and the Kyndal Group have announced a 50:50 joint venture to bottle, distribute and market Cutty Sark scotch whisky in India.

Stock Spirits reports volumes and operating profits down

Stock Spirits Group PLC, the Central and Eastern European branded spirits producer, has announced its six monthly results for the period ended June 30, 2014.

Now Bacardi appoints CFO

Bacardi Limited has announced the immediate appointment of Kevin F. McNamara as Bacardi Limited senior vice president and chief financial officer (CFO), responsible for global financial operations.

Beam Suntory appoints new CFO

Beam Suntory has announced the appointment of Mauricio Restrepo as the company’s chief financial officer.

Tullamore’s spirits safe is installed

William Grant & Sons has reported the installation of the custom-made spirit safe at what will become the new distillery for Tullamore Dew, its Irish whiskey brand.

Air France-KLM CEO to speak at TFWA Cannes

The Tax Free World Association has announced Air France-KLM CEO Alexandre de Juniac will speak at the opening conference of its Cannes exhibition in October.

Pub to host Sloe Gin World Championships

The George pub in Frant, East Sussex in southern England is to host the Sloe Gin World Championships on Wednesday December 10 from 1.00pm.

Wm Grant's Abrook to advocate whisky innovation

William Grant & Sons has appointed Kevin Abrook, currently global marketing manager innovation for whisky as its first ever global whisky specialist, innovation.

Diageo GTME announces two appointments

Diageo Global Travel and Middle East (GTME) managing director Doug Bagley, has announced two senior appointments to his Singapore-based team.

Joly becomes Diageo’s World Class bartender

Charles Joly of The Aviary in Chicago is Diageo’s World Class Bartender of the Year.

WSET launches second phase of Chinese pilot programme

The Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) has announced that the first half of 2014 saw the WSET Level 3 award in wines and spirits being run for the first time in Chinese.

Three rum producers join WIRSPA

The West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association (WIRSPA) has approved the incorporation of Hampden Estate Gold, Monymusk Plantation Special Reserve and Westerhall Vintage into its Authentic Caribbean Rum (ACR) marquee.

Rémy Cointreau promotes Sarantopoulos

Rémy Cointreau has announced the promotion of former LVMH boss Panos Sarantopoulos as CEO of its liqueurs and spirits division.

Maxxium UK launches No 3 gin bartender competition

Ambitious UK bartenders are being invited to participate in a competition to create a fresh take on Jerry Thomas’ classic ‘Gin Cocktail’.

Gonzalez Byass unveils 'new whisky category'

Gonzalez Byass, the major sherry producer, has unveiled a new whisky which, it claims, is a first and could represent the beginning of a new spirits category.

Bacardi appoints new regional presidents

Bacardi Limited has announced the internal appointments of two new regional presidents.

Glenfiddich 26-year-old launches

William Grant & Sons has unveiled a new Glenfiddich expression.

Vickie Sheriff is Diageo's new global comms chief

Diageo has announced the appointment of Vickie Sheriff as global communications director. Sheriff will report to Charlotte Lambkin, global corporate relations director, and be responsible for external communications and employee engagement. She starts on September 1.

Beam Suntory to distribute Suntory brands

Beam Suntory has announced that it will begin distribution of the Suntory Japanese and scotch whiskies and Midori liqueur in the US and Germany beginning July 1.

New Rémy Martin cellar master

Baptiste Loiseau, Rémy Martin’s new cellarmaster, was in London yesterday (June 11) as part of the farewell celebrations for the retiring Pierrette Trichet.

New Rémy Martin cellar master

Baptiste Loiseau, Rémy Martin’s new cellarmaster, was in London yesterday (June 11) as part of the farewell celebrations for the retiring Pierrette Trichet.