Stock Spirits Group names Steven Libermann as chief executive

Stock Spirits Group has appointed Steven Libermann as its chief executive officer, effective 1 December 2025.

Norway’s Felice Capasso wins Diageo World Class 2025

Norwegian bartender, Felice Capasso, has won the title of World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2025.

Franklin & Sons: Leading innovation in flavour

Soft drinks and mixers play a crucial role in both the on-trade and off-trade, driving both revenue and inclusivity for today’s consumers. 

The Yamazaki 18 wins Supreme Champion at International Spirits Challenge 2025

In the 30th edition of the International Spirits Challenge, Suntory Spirits has won the 2025 Supreme Champion award with The Yamazaki 18.

South Africa lowers minimum abv level requirement for spirits

South Africa has lowered the minimum alcohol by volume (abv) level requirement for spirits, aligning with the global norm.

Iichiko shochu lands in the UK

Japanese shochu brand Iichiko has signed an exclusive partnership with premium spirits distributor Speciality Brands as of 1 September.

Trade bodies react to US-EU spirit tariffs update

Distilled Spirits Council CEO Chris Swonger has urged the Trump administration to push for zero-for-zero tariffs following the release of a joint trade statement between the US and EU.

Diageo India launches craft spirits hub in Goa

Diageo India has broken ground on The Good Craft Co. Flavour Market, its destination dedicated to Indian craft spirits.

DI meets Illva Saronno CEO Marco Ferrari

Angel Ambrose caught up with Illva Saronno CEO Marco Ferrari as Disaronno turns 500 years old.

Abhishek Modi’s ambitious plans for Indian spirits

Modi Illva is capitalising on India’s global appeal by branching out into premium spirits for export. Shay Waterworth finds out more from the man at the helm.

Canada sees US spirits sales drop

Canada has seen the sales of American spirits fall by 66% after stores began pulling US products in response to tariffs.

TAKE tequila - refreshing your menu this summer

If there's one spirit poised to dominate UK bars this summer, it's tequila. Recent CGA data revealed that while overall spirits sales have declined, tequila's value in the on-trade rose by 3.2% in 2024, reaching £276 million. 

Diageo India buys majority stake in Nao Spirits

Diageo India, also known as United Spirits Limited, has announced the purchase of a majority controlling stake in Goa-based gin producer Nao Spirits for INR 130 crores (US$15.2m). 

WSET launches refreshed Level 3 Award in Spirits qualification

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has launched an updated version of its Level 3 Award in Spirits qualification, in response to the growing demand for spirits education.

ISC at 30: Whisky's oldest tasting competition

As the International Spirits Challenge hits a milestone, Oli Dodd asks some of the most respected whisky judges for their thoughts on how the competition has evolved and why it is so important.

Women Leading Rum evolves to include spirits

Women Leading Rum has announced the expansion of its organisation to now include those involved in spirits, becoming Women Leading Rum & Spirits.

UK GI spirits see licensing fee reduction

From July, spirits protected by geographic indicator (GI) status will see current fees associated with the Spirit Drinks Verification (SDV) scheme replaced by a lower flat rate.

Saga Spirits signs distribution agreement with Southern Glazer’s

Saga Spirits, a new whiskey company from Wes Henderson, co-founder of Angel’s Envy, has entered into a distribution agreement with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits for its portfolio of whiskey products.

Stock Spirits acquires The Drinks Company

Stock Spirits Group has announced its acquisition of The Drinks Company, a UK-based independent spirits importer and distributor.

Former Bacardi-Martini boss launches French distributor

IQ Spirits, a new distributor dedicated to premium independent spirits in France, has announced its launch.

JSMLA to register GI for Japanese whisky

The Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association (JSLMA) is planning to register Japanese whisky for Geographic Indication (GI) status.

WSET partners with Equal Measures to increase diversity in spirits

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has been named the new education partner for Equal Measures, the UK-based non-profit organisation dedicated to delivering intersectional diversity in the drinks and hospitality industries.

Aigin: The gin using AI to create recipe

Spanish spirits producer Beveland has launched Aigin, a gin which used artificial intelligence in the creation of its recipe.

Anora appoints Kirsi Puntila CEO

Kirsi Puntila has been appointed the new CEO of Anora Group effective immediately.

Suntory invests ¥6.5bn in Osaka Plant

Suntory Spirits, manager of Suntory Group’s alcoholic beverage business in Japan, has announced a total investment of ¥6.5 billion in the Suntory Osaka Plant.

Ben Branson: Why non-alcoholic pricing is right

The pricing structure of non-alcoholic spirits has a high level of elasticity - there’s already a broad spectrum of price points which consumers are trying to navigate.

US alcohol sales decrease as non-alc thrives

Alcohol sales across the US are shrinking, according to NielsenIQ, with off-premise beer, wine and spirits (excluding RTDs) all losing ground.

United Spirits to close Hyderabad facility

Diageo’s Indian arm, United Spirits Limited (USL) has announced it will close its manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, Telangana.

International Beverage invests in China with Asiaeuro acquisition

Premium spirits business International Beverage, the international arm of Thai Beverage Public Limited Company (ThaiBev) has acquired Asiaeuro International Beverage (AIB).

Ben Branson: How to brand non-alc spirits

There are many different elements to consider when launching a non-alcoholic spirits brand. Aside from creating the liquid, the bottle design and communication are also crucial touchpoints.

American single malt whiskey gains official category recognition

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has issued its final rule establishing a new American single malt whiskey category.

Anora establishes Lithuanian arm

Anora has expanded its footprint in the Baltics by establishing Anora Lithuania, established on 13 November, with commercial operations set to commence in 2025.

Anora sells schnapps brand Snälleröds

Anora has completed the sale of its Swedish schnapps brand Snälleröds to Malmö-based beverage company Saturnus AB.

Michael Vachon to leave Maverick Drinks

Michael Vachon is to leave Maverick Drinks – the craft spirits distributor he co-founded in 2013 - at the end of this year.

Shaping the future of liquid culture, one sip at a time

BCB Brooklyn 2025 is set to be the largest gathering of spirits professionals in America, taking place from June 10-11, 2025, at Industry City, Brooklyn, NY. 

Ben Branson on the future of non-alc spirits

In his inaugural column for Drinks International, Branson takes a wider look at the overall non-alcoholic spirits sector to identify which brands will thrive and which won’t survive.

Trump return fears for global premium spirits

News of Donald Trump’s re-election as US president earlier this week has sparked fear over the possibility of further tariffs being implemented on the spirits industry.

New Scottish spirits brand launches

Living Souls, a new Scottish spirits brand specialising in small batch and single cask releases, has announced its launch.

Leo Evers: De Kuyper's new CEO sets out big ambitions

Earlier this year hundreds of global industry figures gathered in Schiedam to bid farewell to De Kuyper Royal Distillers’ Mark de Witte, who retired after nine years as chief executive at the company. 

DISCUS warns of renewed spirits tariffs

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has sounded an alarm over the potential return and doubling of the EU’s retaliatory tariff on American whiskey in a new report.

Diageo plans Talisker distillery demolition and rebuild

Diageo has proposed a redevelopment of the Talisker distillery, which will see the previous facilities demolished if plans are approved.

The Yamazaki 12 wins Supreme Champion at International Spirits Challenge 2024

Suntory Spirits has won the International Spirits Challenge 2024 Supreme Champion award with The Yamazaki 12.

Campari buys stake in Bunnahabhain owner CVH Spirits

Campari Group has acquired a minority stake in the owner of single malt whisky brand Bunnahabhain.

Saga Spirits Group invests $92m in new Kentucky distillery

US-based Bourbon distiller, Saga Spirits Group, has reportedly announced plans to develop a $92.5 million distillery and tourism centre on 150 acres in Kentucky.

Mangrove Global and Waitrose expand partnership

Spirits distributor Mangrove Global is bringing a selection of international brands from its independent spirits portfolio to UK customers nationwide, through an extended partnership with supermarket chain Waitrose. 

Cordusio achieves B Corp status

Launched in 2023 in Milan, red berry aperitif Cordusio has achieved B Corp status for its social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Zamora Company sets record sales in 2023

Zamora Company has announced record turnover for 2023 with €268 million and a 21.5% increase in sales since 2021.

New World agave: Mexico's noisy neighbours

In what looks like a mirror movement of wine some 50 years ago, agave spirits are finding their feet in unlikely quarters, finds Shay Waterworth.

Edrington sees full year sales rise 11%

Scottish spirits company Edrington saw its core revenue rise 11% for the year to 31 March 2024, driven by The Macallan which saw double-digit growth.

The Millionaires' Club 2024 launches

The Millionaires’ Club 2024 has revealed that 44% of the world’s major spirits producers showed volume declines in 2023 as global recession and inflation takes effect.