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Jeff Arnett wanted to build cars but his life took another path. Hamish Smith talks to the man behind Jack Daniel’s
Sake is an ancient drink in Japan that is finding fortune across other markets. Jaq Bayles looks at its appeal
Understanding and appreciating the US market
Guestwriter Steve Raye of Brand Action Team tells us his practical advice for exporters looking for a US importer.
Can Scottish single malt meet the commercial demands of the marketing men but still be true to its traditions? Dominic Roskrow asks Islay’s whisky makers what they think
Dark aged rums are seen as the serious members of the party spirit family. But they’re also the ones spearheading innovation. Christian Davis reports
Guest writer David Atkinson of marketing agency, Space, tells us why there is a gap emerging between consumers and spirits brands and how new routes to market must be found.
Spain is experiencing a great gin renaissance and is a must-embrace market for premium producers, reports Holly Motion
What does it take to make and maintain a great cocktail list? Christian Davis asks around
Spirits writer Dave Broom has a long pedigree. Hamish Smith caught up with him at the Havana Club Grand Prix 2014
A variety of elements are combining to make African countries exciting prospects for whisky producers. Hamish Smith investigates
As Patience Gould discovers, liqueurs are often the perfect foil to mainstream spirits – particularly when it comes to the mixing circuit
Agave shortage: the hidden costs
Agave shortage doesn't just mean higher priced tequila. DI's guest writer Dale Sklar, tells us how the black market for agave is back and how the 'Coyotes' are once again prospering.
Near-lost Venetian lagoon vines ready for fifth harvest
After a high-tide in 1966 that lay waste to Venetian vines, the indigenous Dorona grape was hanging by a thread.
Françoise Renié wants everyone to join the Havana Club – and his approach via Cuban culture is certainly paying off. Hamish Smith met up with the marketer in Cuba
It is common practice for brands to offer incentives to bars in return for a listing and this works in everyone’s favour – but does it mean smaller players miss out? Hamish Smith investigates
High flyers - single malts in travel retail
Single malt is growing in travel retail with increased premiumisation and demand for exclusivity. It tells us a lot about the category’s burgeoning fortunes around the globe. Joe Bates reports
Armagnac is claimed to be the oldest brandy in France, and in the past was consumed for its therapeutic benefits. Christian Davis gets a prescription
The winemakers of Rioja are doing exceptional things in their attempts at diversification. Hamish Smith reports
Joy Spence recieves Outstanding Contribution award
Wray & Nephew master blender, Joy Spence, recieved the Outstanding Contribution award at the ISC 2014. Hamish Smith got her reaction.
Jamie Goode investigates the possibilities for reduced alcohol wine
The purveyors of fine absinthe are being vindicated and the category is slowly but surely earning proper respect. Dominic Roskrow looks at a category on the comeback trail
Bitters: Wind back in its sales
These versatile brews are growing in popularity at a rate of knots as they become a vital part of the bar call. Patience Gould investigates
Lugana wines: Worth their Salt
The wines of Lugana around Italy’s Verona are well known in Europe, but now producers are on a mission to take them to the rest of the world. Jaq Bayles reports
Long seen as the dependable but unexciting workhorse of the wine world, Chile is starting to show new colours. Jamie Goode reports
Despite the current downturn in China, Cognac houses big and small remain convinced Asia will continue to deliver growth over the long term, writes Joe Bates
The South American grape brandy is garnering a new legion of fans worldwide on the back of a slew of restaurant openings. Hamish Smith reports on the trend
The rum report: Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and St Lucia
Hamish Smith explores some of the lesser-known rum-producing areas
Jamaican rum is a reference point of the rum taste spectrum. Hamish Smith looks into its past, present and future
Mezcal is making its way into the drinking repertoires of new fans worldwide. But it’s not all plain sailing for the agave spirit. Hamish Smith reports
In the week that Pernod Ricard UK announced Campo Viejo Tempranillo has become the UK’s no.1 red wine by value, Hamish Smith travelled to Rioja to speak to Christian Barré, chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard Winemakers Spain.
Scotch faces new challenges as some ‘emerging’ markets look to actually have emerged and even entered decline. Hamish Smith reports
Mixability is helping the Spanish-style spirit to a renaissance. Lucy Britner explores the background
North America has fallen for Canadian whisky. Hamish Smith charts the courtship rituals of the major players with eyes on the category
Visitor centres, craft distilleries – gin is upping its game globally. Lucy Britner watches the spirit get down to business
Germany is a small, mature wine producer and is also one of the largest importers of wine in the world. Christian Davis reports
Hamish Smith was a judge at the China Master Bartender Competition that took place last week at Hotelex Shanghai’s That’s Spirits exhibition
Some new faces have appeared on the Jalisco horizon but is Tequila Town big enough for all of them? Hamish Smith takes a wander over yonder
From their traditional role in the cocktail firmament, liqueurs are now being used to make spirits more accessible to the younger generation, says Patience Gould
Vermouth is an aromatised, fortified wine and some would claim it was the ‘first wine’. Yet to many, especially consumers, it is an unknown quantity. Christian Davis investigates
In our new series, Cihan Anadologlu, head bartender at Schumann’s Bar (number 23 in the World’s 50 Best Bars), gives the lowdown on the Munich scene
Lucy Britner finds top-end vodkas are flavour of the month – even if some flavours are floundering
Global bar consultant and World's 50 Best Bars Academy member Angus Winchester shares his top 10 hotel bars in the world.
In our new series, Thanos Prunarus, owner of Baba au Rum, answers some key questions about the Athens bar scene.
Despite reports of its demise, cork is still very much alive and kicking as the wine closure of choice. Jamie Goode assesses its fortunes – and checks out the competition
From soldier to distiller by way of being a lawyer – the creator of Bulleit bourbon has a chequered history. He shares his stories with Hamish Smith
Australian wine: Fighting spirit
The Australian wine industry has had its ups and downs but the sector remains defiant and dynamic. Christian Davis reports
Packaging design expert Kevin Shaw reveals some sobering facts about the environmental impact of wine bottles
Lucy Britner looks at how the Mary Poppins effect continues to influence cocktail syrups
Spandau Ballet front-man Tony Hadley is among the ranks of musicians to have launched an ale. He shares his love of beer with Hamish Smith
Sparkling wine: A world turned upside down
The face of sparkling wine could change as global warming takes hold. Hamish Smith investigates
