Aldi loses Court of Appeal battle against M&S

The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by German supermarket chain Aldi over a ruling made last year which stated the discounter copied Marks and Spencer’s festive gin bottle design.

Kirker Greer Spirits expands presence in Singapore

Kirker Greer Spirits has announced its expansion into the Singaporean market from early spring, partnering with distributor The First Pour.

Whitebox Cocktails partners with Artisan Spirits

Ready-to-serve cocktail brand Whitebox Cocktails has partnered with brand-building agency, Artisan Spirits, to expand its international distribution.

Speciality Brands adds two brands to spirits portfolio

Spirits distributor Speciality Brands is adding Takamaka to its rum portfolio, alongside signing an exclusive partnership with Chichibu Distillery, taking over from Speciality Drinks.

Spirit of Craft Awards launch in Asia

FoodNews Creative Marketing Agency is launching the first edition of the Spirit of Craft Awards (SOCraft Awards).

The Drinks Trust annual industry survey now open

The Drinks Trust has launched its annual industry survey aimed at achieving a better understanding of the wider drinks industry and hospitality community.

Paragon to exclusively distribute Zamora brands in the UK

Drinks importer and distributor, Paragon Brands, has announced its new role as the exclusive distributor of Zamora Company spirits and liqueurs in the UK.

Brands Report 2024: Non-alcoholic spirits

Low and no continues to gain traction, with new players constantly appearing, although the mainstays are as last year.

Holyrood Distillery secures funding package with fintech Ferovinum

Edinburgh’s Holyrood Distillery has secured a new funding package with specialist wine and spirits fintech Ferovinum, to support its domestic and international growth plans in 2024 and beyond.

Former Patrón executives launch spirits venture

The founder of Patrón Tequila, John Paul DeJoria, has reunited with the brand’s former leadership team and a former executive of Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits to launch a new Texas-based spirits company.

Diageo settles lawsuits with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

Drinks giant Diageo and rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs have released a statement resolving all legal disputes between them.

Pernod Ricard agrees to sell Becherovka to Maspex

Pernod Ricard has signed an agreement to sell Czech herbal liqueur Becherovka to Poland’s Maspex Group for an undisclosed sum.

Korea’s soju prices set to fall

Korean liquor giants, including Hite Jinro and Lotte Chilsung Beverage, are set to reduce the wholesale prices of their soju brands beginning next year.

Spirit of Gallo brings soju brands to the US

Spirit of Gallo has announced it will distribute Korean soju brands Soonhari, Chum Churum and Saero in the US from January 2024, in partnership with Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co.

Ojo de Dios partners with Nightcap Brands

Ojo de Dios Mezcal has announced a partnership with Nightcap Brands as its official UK importer and sales agent.

Flavoured alcohol market to reach $1.8tn globally by 2032

A recent report by Allied Market Research has revealed that the global flavoured alcohol market is anticipated to generate $1.8 trillion by 2032, up from a $1.2 trillion market size in 2022.

Jump Ship Brewing begins legal proceedings against Brewdog

Scottish non-alcoholic brewery, Jump Ship Brewing, has begun legal proceedings against brewery and pub chain, Brewdog, in an attempt to protect the name of one of its beers.

Moth expands into the US

UK RTD brand Moth (Mix of Total Happiness) is launching in the US this week.

DJ David Guetta partners with Lyre’s non-alc

Drinks International can exclusively reveal that non-alcoholic spirits brand, Lyre’s, has appointed DJ David Guetta as global brand ambassador.

BrewDog launches first rum cask sale with Whisky Hammer

BrewDog Distilling Co has released its first ever rum casks for sale as part of an annual online auction with specialist spirits auctioneer, Whisky Hammer. 

Mr Lyan partners with Whitebox Cocktails

Bartender Ryan ‘Mr Lyan’ Chetiyawardana is joining forces with Whitebox Cocktails, the ready-to-pour cocktail brand founded by bartenders, to release three of his most known serves in a canned format.

Lewis Hamilton and Iván Saldaña team up to unveil new agave non-alc

Formula One champion and entrepreneur Lewis Hamilton, alongside agave expert and Casa Lumbre co-founder and master distiller Iván Saldaña, have unveiled Almave, the inaugural distilled non-alcoholic blue agave spirit.

RTD forecast growth slows

IWSR Drinks Market Analysis has released its RTDs Strategic Study 2023, which revealed the RTD category is expected to grow by 12% in volume between 2022 and 2027, achieving $40bn by 2027 across 10 key markets.

Diageo announces regenerative agriculture programmes across Scotch and tequila

Don Julio producer Diageo, has announced two regenerative agriculture programmes across its tequila and Scotch brands in Mexico and Scotland.

Outcast Brands expands into seven new markets

Outcast Brands, the Dublin-based spirits company has announced the expansion of its global presence with the introduction of its Blood Monkey gins and Two Shores rums into seven new international markets.

Bacardi completes purchase of Ilegal Mezcal

Bacardi Limited has announced the completion of its acquisition of super-premium artisanal mezcal brand, Ilegal Mezcal.

House of Suntory launches limited-edition centenary bottlings

House of Suntory has announced the launch of limited-edition Yamazaki and Hakushu expressions in celebration of its 100th anniversary.

Lion completes takeover of Four Pillars

Sydney-based brewing group, Lion, has completed its takeover of Australian spirits producer Four Pillars for an undisclosed sum. 

High Point changes name to Wavelength

High Point, the fermented non-alcoholic aperitif and digestif brand, has changed its name to Wavelength and unveiled a new logo. 

London Essence, Avallen and ecoSpirits create low waste serve

Mixer brand The London Essence, Calvados brand Avallen and low carbon, low waste spirits distribution technology ecoSpirits, have joined together to create ‘The Sustainable Spritz’, a low waste serve that eliminates single use glass.

Jinro tops The Millionaires’ Club with over 100 million cases sold

Korean Soju brand Jinro has once again topped the list of Drinks International’s The Millionaires’ Club having sold more than 100m 9-litre cases in 2022.

Edrington UK introduces The Stillhouse Podcast

Edrington UK, supplier of whisky and cognac, has launched a podcast series, The Stillhouse Podcast, hosted by UK spirits expert, Becky Paskin.

Russian police raid counterfeit Johnnie Walker factory

Russian police have uncovered a factory producing counterfeit alcohol, including fake Johnnie Walker Black Label and other brands.

The Boatyard Distillery launches sustainable initiatives to celebrate Earth Day

The Boatyard Distillery is introducing a series of initiatives, beginning 17 April, to celebrate Earth Day, held each year on 22 April.

Everleaf achieves B-Corp Certification

Everleaf non-alcoholic aperitif has become B-Corp certified, marking a major milestone in the brand's sustainability journey, which has been key to the business since its launch in 2019.

Pernod Ricard reports double-digit growth in H1 results

Havana Club owner, Pernod Ricard, has reported 19% organic sales growth in the first half of fiscal 2023, with all spirits segments seeing double-digit growth.

The Boatyard Distillery gains B-Corp certification

Irish spirits maker, The Boatyard Distillery, has announced it has earned B-Corporation certification.

California bill increases consumer access to spirits RTDs

California, US has introduced a bill to allow spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages to be sold under the same licence as beer and wine.

Crossip breaks into new markets

Non-alcoholic spirits brand, Crossip, has expanded into new markets across Europe, GCC and North America, alongside key local distribution partners.

Empirical launches two new spirits

Flavour company Empirical has announced the UK launch of its two latest spirits, SOKA (43% abv) and Symphony 6 (40% abv).

Dubai drops 30% alcohol tax in bid to boost tourism

Dubai has scrapped its 30% tax on alcohol sales for the rest of the year in an apparent bid to boost tourism, while also stopping the charge on personal alcohol licences, something residents who wish to drink at home are required to have.

Buffalo Trace Distillery launches Old Fashioned Trolley

This month, Buffalo Trace Distillery will launch The Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned Trolley, in partnership with JW Marriott Grosvenor House London.

The Spirit of Manchester Distillery introduces Founder's Club

The Spirit of Manchester Distillery has launched its first ever members’ club to give experimental drinkers and whisky enthusiasts the chance to follow the journey of the City’s first single malt English whisky, One Point Six, from cask to glass.

Iichiko shochu changes US distributor

Iichiko shochu has signed an importer agreement with Shaw-Ross International Importers to expand its availability across the US.

Diageo sells Archers brand to De Kuyper Royal Distillers

Diageo has announced the sale of Archers, the Peach Schnapps brand, to De Kuyper Royal Distillers. 

Pernod Ricard sales increase 17% in FY22

Pernod Ricard has released its FY22 Results, showing that sales grew organically by 17% in 2022, equalling €10.7m, with sales growing by double digits across each of its regions and spirit categories.

House of Suntory announces Raffaele Di Monaco as UK brand ambassador

Edrington UK has announced the appointment of its latest UK Brand Ambassador for the House of Suntory, Raffaele Di Monaco.

Avallen publishes Bee More Report

Avallen Spirits, certified B Corp, have published their second Bee More Report, the company’s annual self-publication of their environmental impact for the year running 1 May to 31 April. 

Brands Report 2022: Non-alcoholic spirits

The non-alcoholic spirits category debuted in last year’s report, but the sector has quickly taken root and now no drinks group’s portfolio is complete without one.

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.