The state of champagne in the US

Despite tariff wars and rising prices, champagne remains important to US consumers, but producers are aware that they need to adapt to the changing market.

Age statement whiskey and the tariffs dilema

Age statement American whiskeys have finally caught up on demand, but is the timing unfortunate? Shay Waterworth find out.

Sazerac renames Lough Gill Distillery

Global spirits company Sazerac has announced the renaming of its recently-acquired Irish whiskey distillery to Hawk’s Rock Distillery.

EU to reinstate bourbon whiskey tariff

The European Union has announced retaliatory tariffs on €26bn (£22bn) worth of US goods, including bourbon whiskey, as “countermeasures” to Washington’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. 

How Trump tariffs are changing Irish whiskey landscape

As president Trump wields his warnings of high tariff s on imports, Irish whiskey’s smaller producers are reassessing their position with the US. Shay Waterworth reports.

Velvet Cap Irish whiskey acquired by RoCo Brands

RoCo Brands, a premium spirits brands accelerator has acquired Irish whiskey brand Velvet Cap from Blackwater Distillery.

Brands Report 2025: American whiskey

Michter’s has been a bartender favourite and a stalwart at the top of our trending list since making its debut in 2016. 

Limestone Branch Distillery increases European exports

Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery will increase UK and Europe exports by 22%, ahead of the official recognition of the American single malt whiskey category.

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.

Bardstown partners with Brindiamo on barrel leasing programme

American whiskey distiller, Bardstown Bourbon Company, and Brindiamo, a leader in sourcing bulk whiskey, will launch an exclusive barrel leasing programme.

Waterford enters administration

Irish whiskey brand Waterford entered administration earlier this week after failing to raise fresh funding.

Michter's retains top spot in Most Admired Whiskies 2024

Michter’s has retained its title as The World’s Most Admired Whiskey brand in the fourth edition of the annual top 50 list released by Drinks International.

Jackson Family Wines enters bourbon sector

US wine company Jackson Family Wines has entered the American whiskey category with the launch of its Stonestreet Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

American whiskey could face 50% EU tariffs from January

Distillers are calling for the permanent removal of EU imposed “debilitating tariffs” on American whiskey, which are scheduled to be reimposed and doubled to 50% on 1 January 2024.

Buffalo Trace Distillery announces London location

Buffalo Trace Distillery, distiller of brands including Buffalo Trace Bourbon and Sazerac Rye, has announced the forthcoming opening of Buffalo Trace Distillery London, an American whiskey experience in Covent Garden.

Sazerac Company named American Whiskey producer of the year

For the fourth year in a row, Buffalo Trace owner, Sazerac Company, has been named American Whiskey Producer of the Year by Drinks International’s International Spirits Challenge (ISC).

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.

Pernod Ricard buys majority stake in Skrewball whiskey

Pernod Ricard USA has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in peanut butter-flavored American whiskey brand Skrewball.

US spirits exports reach $2.06bn

A new report by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has revealed that total US spirits exports reached a record $2.06bn in 2022, buoyed by the temporary halt to retaliatory tariffs, with American whiskey exports to the UK remaining lower than pre-tariff levels.

Bushmills releases 33-year-old port cask travel retail exclusive

Bushmills Irish Whiskey has unveiled the tenth and final release from its current Causeway Collection, a 33 Year Old Port Cask, to be sold exclusively in World Duty-Free’s stores at Heathrow Airport.

Shortbarrel Bourbon acquires Atlanta’s Old Fourth Distillery

Atlanta-based Shortbarrel has announced the acquisition of the Old Fourth Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in Atlanta, US.

Fercullen Irish Whiskey introduced to the US

Fercullen Irish Whiskey from the Powerscourt Estate will now be available across the US as a result of a new distribution partnership with Zamora Company USA.

Brands Report 2023: World Whiskies

Japanese brands take the big plaudits, with Nikka toppling Suntory a year after the reverse happened.

Brands Report 2023: Irish Whiskey

The revival of this category has been much talked about, but the leader is ahead by quite some margin.

Brands Report 2023: American Whiskey

There’s a return to the top spot after a three-year hiatus, but the brands remain largely unchanged from last year.

Campari Group acquires a stake in Howler Head whiskey

Campari Group has acquired an initial 15% interest in Howler Head Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, after the signing and closing of an agreement with Catalyst Spirits.

Jack Daniels launches two new whiskey expressions

The Jack Daniel Distillery has introduced two additions to its core range, Jack Daniel’s Bonded and Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash.

Sazerac Company acquires Lough Gill Distillery

Hazelwood Demesne Limited, owner of the Lough Gill Distillery in Sligo, has announced its acquisition by the Sazerac Company to develop the historical site.

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?

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.

The Irishman Whiskey announces bottle redesign with the release of new range of single malts

Walsh Whiskey has announced the release of new additions to The Irishman’s range of Irish single malt whiskey, featuring a new bottle design.

Pernod Ricard UK expands its portfolio with new super-premium Kentucky whiskies

Pernod Ricard UK has expanded its American whiskey portfolio with Rabbit Hole making the UK the first European market to launch the brand.

Brands Report 2022: Irish whiskey

If you had to bet your house on one brand topping a list, it would probably be Jameson in the Irish whiskey category.

Brands Report 2022: American whiskey

Diageo’s Bulleit just about retained its position as the bestselling American whiskey in the World’s Best Bars.

Alex Thomas named Bushmills master blender

Bushmills has appointed Alex Thomas as master blender at The Old Bushmills Distillery working across the entire portfolio and product development.

WSTA calls for immediate end to US whiskey tariff

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has called for the UK government to swiftly remove tariffs on US whiskies.

Diageo becomes first spirits sponsor of the NFL

Diageo has become the first ever official spirits sponsor of the NFL.

European Union suspends tariffs on American whiskey

The European Union has announced that it will temporarily suspend its tariff increase on American whiskey in an effort to reboot transatlantic relations.

Dr Jack Ó’Sé: Irish whiskey's secret gem

“There aren’t many 70 year olds that get PhDs,” says Dr Jack Ó’Sé, one of the most understated members of the Irish whiskey industry.

Buffalo Trace launches second line of Kosher whiskeys

Buffalo Trace has released its annual supply of Kosher whiskey which is set to arrive at retail in May this year.

BR Distilling gains Texas distribution deal

BR Distilling Company in Memphis, US, has gained distribution across Texas as part of its rapid domestic expansion.

Midleton Very Rare 2021 unveiled

Kevin O’Gorman has unveiled his first Midleton Very Rare expression since taking over as master distiller at Irish Distillers.

Daddy Rack whiskey gets UK distribution deal

Daddy Rack, an original Tennessee straight small batch whiskey, has launched in Scotland with plans for a wider UK roll out in March.

Limited-edition Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye released in the UK

Michter’s has released its US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye 2020 in the UK.

Walsh Whiskey expands into eight countries in Eastern Europe

Walsh Whiskey has appointed six new distributors in Eastern Europe in a bid to capitalise upon strong growth in the region.

Irish whiskey trade group names new chairman

Tullamore DEW brand ambassador John Quinn has been named the new chairman of trade group Drinks Ireland | Irish Whiskey Association.

Jack Daniel's appoints Chris Fletcher as master distiller

Jack Daniel’s has announced that Chris Fletcher will take over from the outgoing Jeff Arnett as master distiller of the Tennessee whiskey brand.

US spirits industry reiterates pleas for tariff dispute de-escalation

The US government has announced that the existing 25% tariffs will remain on single malt Scotch for the foreseeable future.

American whiskey exports to EU decrease 33% following retaliatory tariff

American whiskey exports to EU have decreased by a third since the bloc imposed a 25% retaliatory tariff in June 2018.

Budweiser and Beam come together

AB InBev and Beam Suntory have announced a marketing collaboration between their Budweiser and Jim Beam brands.