Illva Saronno Holding acquires Engine gin

Illva Saronno Holding has announced the acquisition of Engine gin to “strengthen its presence in the gin world”.

No. 3 Gin opens Unrivalled Classics competition entries

No.3 London Dry Gin has opened entries for its newly renamed 2024 global cocktail competition, Unrivalled Classics. 

Renais Gin to launch in the US

Renais Spirits has announced a national distribution agreement in the US for Spring 2024, following its launch in the UK in May this year.

Puerto de Indias announces UK distribution partner

Spanish gin brand Puerto de Indias has announced its partnership for distribution in the UK with Love Drinks.

Brockmans releases new Orange Kiss gin

Brockmans Gin has launched its Orange Kiss edition, featuring the flavours of Triple sec and Valencia orange, crafted with traditional gin botanicals. 

Brad Pitt introduces French Riviera inspired gin

Teaming up with former Tanqueray master distiller Tom Nichol, Hollywood star Brad Pitt has launched The Gardener Gin, set to make its debut at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival on 16 to 27 May.

Hayman’s unveils ‘The Original Gin’ advertising campaign

London gin distiller, Hayman’s, has launched its first out of home (OOH) advertising campaign ‘The Original Gin’, to begin in London, rolled out internationally over the next few months.

La Martiniquaise-Bardinet acquires Generous Gin

La Martiniquaise has announced the acquisition of French spirit Generous Gin, to add to the group’s premium offer and its ‘Craft From France’ portfolio.

Alcohol duty increase a “historic blow to the Scotch whisky industry”

When UK chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt delivered his 2023 budget in the House of Commons, how you received it might’ve depended on your preferred tipple.

Atlas launches new ‘Simple Pleasures’ drinking menu

Singapore’s Atlas bar has launched its 'Simple Pleasures' drinking menu, designed and developed by head bartender Lidiyanah' Yana' K and the Atlas team.

Hendrick’s launches new limited release

Hendrick’s Gin has launched a new limited release from its 'Cabinet of Curiosities', Hendrick’s Flora Adora.

Gin shines brightly in travel retail

Gin may have fallen out of favour in the UK, but its prospects are much brighter in travel retail.

NAO Spirits announces The Jay Dhawan Scholarship

In memory of its late distiller, Nao Spirits and Beverages, the craft gin distillers form India, have announced the Jay Dhawan Scholarship in association with the Gin Guild. 

Blood Monkey Irish Gin launches in Canada

Outcast Brands, the creators of Blood Monkey Irish Gin, have announced that its flagship gin is now available in Canada through the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO).

The Drinks Trust announces Guy Lawrence as chair

The Drinks Trust has appointed Guy Lawrence, CEO of Brockman’s Gin, as the new chair of the charity following Troy Christensen’s two-year tenure.

Brands Report 2023: Gin

The top spirit features in many classic cocktails, so it’s no surprise bartenders choose their pours carefully.

Isle of Harris distillery secures £10 million funding

Scotland’s Isle of Harris Distillery has announced plans for a North American and European expansion following a £10 million funding package from HSBC UK.

Desmond Payne becomes Beefeater master distiller emeritus

Beefeater has announced that Desmond Payne MBE will be the brand’s first-ever master distiller emeritus in January 2023.

Beefeater relaunches ultra-premium Crown Jewel gin

London dry gin producer Beefeater has announced the launch of Crown Jewel, the ultra-premium pinnacle of the brand’s gin portfolio that first appeared as a limited-edition release nearly two decades ago.

Brockmans gin expands its brand management and marketing teams

English gin, Brockmans, has expanded its brand management and marketing teams with drinks specialists, Eric Sampers and Helen Buchanan. 

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.

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.

Brown-Forman confirms purchase of Gin Mare

Jack Daniel’s owner Brown-Forman has confirmed the purchase of gin brand Gin Mare from Spanish premium drinks company, Vantguard.

Ukiyo Japanese Spirits launches in New Zealand

Japanese spirits brand Ukiyo has launched its Blossom Gin, Yuzu Gin, and Rice Vodka in New Zealand after agreeing a distribution deal.

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.

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. 

Elephant Gin launches wildlife protection foundation

Gin-brand Elephant Gin has announced the launch of the Elephant Gin Foundation, an independent non-profit dedicated to protecting African wildlife.

France’s Citadelle gin comes to London’s OXO Tower this summer

Citadelle gin has come to London’s OXO Tower this summer, for its Summer Terrace, serving Citadelle gin cocktails inspired by southwest France.

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.

Scapegrace to develop New Zealand’s largest-ever distillery

Craft spirit producer Scapegrace Distilling Company has announced plans to develop New Zealand’s largest-ever distillery project in the Central Otago region.

Rooster Rojo Tequila moves into movies

Rooster Rojo Tequila, the premium spirits brand owned by the fast-growing global beverage powerhouse, Amber Beverage Group, has announced the next stage in the development of its ‘SIP DON’T SLAM’ advertising campaign, which was first rolled out earlier this year. 

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.

Kenya’s Procera Gin announces partnership with Axiom Brands

Kenyan ultra-premium spirits producer, Procera Gin has announced a partnership with Axiom Brands to accelerate growth in the UK on- and off-trade.

Diageo India invests in premium gin producer Nao Spirits

United Spirits Limited (Diageo India) has announced an investment of INR 31.5 crores (US$ 4.1m) to acquire a strategic minority stake in Nao Spirits.

Hendrick’s launches limited-edition Neptunia gin

Hendrick’s have launched Neptunia, a limited-edition gin using Scottish coastal botanicals and the latest release from master distiller Lesley Gracie’s Cabinet of Curiosities collection.

The rise of quality RTDs

Last year’s launch of Panther M*lk, a vegan oat milk RTD made with gin, rum, brandy and overproof spiced rum, shows just how quickly the pre-mixed cocktail industry has evolved since the days of mediocre Gin & Tonics.

Adnams launches high-strength gin designed for low alcohol serves

Suffolk-based distillery Adnams has launched a high-strength gin distilled with ten times the botanicals to give the flavour of a full serve in a 2.5ml measure.

Brands Report 2022: Gin

Topping gin for seven of the last nine years, Tanqueray is once again king gin. The Diageo brand, famed for its juniper forward Tanqueray London Dry and Tanqueray No. Ten gins, was the house choice in 25% of the world’s best bars.

Illva Saronno launches Engine gin in the UK

Italian spirits company, Illva Saronno has launched the craft organic gin brand, Engine in the UK.

Maison Ferrand builds new distillery for Citadelle Gin

French spirits producer, Maison Ferrand, has built a new distillery at the Château de Bonbonnet to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its Citadelle Gin brand.

Fok Hing Gin warned over offensive branding

Fok Hing Gin has fallen foul of the industry-funded UK drinks industry watchdog for using offensive language.

UK gin producers lobby for tax break

UK gin producers have called upon Chancellor Rishi Sunak to freeze duty on spirits after revealing that exports have plummeted 35% as a result of the pandemic.

Holyrood Distillery launches new gin created with ‘whisky in mind’

Edinburgh’s Holyrood Distillery has created a new stripped-back gin, Height of Arrows.

Kirker Greer Spirits launches Japanese brand Ukiyo

Kirker Greer Spirits has launched a new Japanese spirits brand called Ukiyo which features two gins and a rice vodka coming soon.

Distil invests in Ardgowan Distillery

Distil, owner of premium drinks brands including RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Trøve Botanical Spirit, has announced a £5m investment into the new Ardgowan Distillery in Inverkip, Scotland.

Hayman's collaborates with Singapore Airlines

Hayman’s Distillery has created a special gin to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Singapore Airlines flight to London.

Refreshing summer cocktail inspiration from the world's best gin, No.3

Looking to add a splash of excitement to classic cocktails this summer? No.3 Gin’s refreshing balance of juniper, citrus and spice makes it the perfect addition to this season’s drinking occasions. 

Cazcabel tequila builds on brand success with ambitious growth plans and a new distillery

On the back of exponential international growth through 2020, Cazcabel Tequila is announcing exciting plans to build a new distillery in Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco. 

Master of Malt predicts future drinking trends

Online retailer Master of Malt has unveiled three key trends that could define the spirits industry during the next year.