After months of negotiations, the UK and EU have agreed on a new post-Brexit trade deal, with talks still continuing on a youth mobility scheme.

Maverick Drinks has announced the introduction of Bols Blue 1575 to its portfolio, as the liqueur launches in the UK for the on and off trade from this month. 

Jack Daniel’s owner Brown‑Forman has announced the start of its own distribution business in Italy to bring its portfolio directly to Italian consumers for the first time. 

French gin brand Gibson’s has introduced its first gin and tonic in a can, created with Gibson’s London Dry Gin and tonic water.

The UK and India have agreed a new trade deal which will see tariffs on gin and Scotch whisky fall to 40%.

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

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.

Johnson Brothers has entered into the Texas market with the acquisition of Maverick Beverage Company, a leading distributor of fine wine and spirits.

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.

Independent Scottish distiller Eden Mill has completed commissioning of its new distillery, with both gin and single malt whisky now being produced on-site.

Monarq Group and Familia Torres, the Spanish wine and spirits producer, have announced a new regional distribution agreement for Torres Brandy and El Gobernador Pisco.

Diageo has exchanged majority ownership of the brand rights for Cîroc vodka in North America, for majority ownership of tequila brand Lobos 1707.

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

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

The Boatyard Distillery has announced a new partnership with Banfi Vintners to become the exclusive sales agent in the US for its Boatyard Double Gin. 

Campari Group will sell its production facility in Australia to local canning and bottling business Garage Beverage Manufacturing.

A Diageo India chief believes that the company has ambitions to "build a portfolio" of craft spirits in India.

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.

At the country's first Bar Summit, Diageo India asserted that the tequila category's growth has shown no indication of slowing despite the country's high tariffs on imported beverage alcohol.

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.

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

Korean beverage producer, HiteJinro, has announced the development of a new production facility in Vietnam.

Belfast-based Drinksology Kirker Greer Group (DKG), has appointed Gordon Buchanan as its new regional director for Europe, EMEA and Global Travel Retail (GTR).

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

Brown-Forman has announced that Campbell P. Brown will step down as chair of its board of directors in July.