Diageo hopes Millennials can turn Smirnoff’s fortunes around

Diageo is hoping to “re-imagine” Smirnoff as a true challenger rather than a tired leader by appealing to Millennials. 

House of Cocktails premixes launch

Global Brands has launched House of Cocktails, a new range of premixed cocktails available to the UK off trade.

Last call for 22nd annual Cocktail Challenge

Drinks International is still accepting entries to its new-look Cocktail Challenge.

Turkey investigates Diageo’s Mey Icki

Diageo’s Turkish operation Mey Icki is under investigation by Turkey’s antitrust authority, according to reports.

Analyst's view: The Global Spirits Market

After the release of The Millionaires' Club 2015, contributor and Euromonitor International's senior drinks analyst Jeremy Cunnington gives us his take on the spirits market's performance in 2014.

Jameson bitters launches

Pernod Ricard unveiled Jameson Wild Sloe Berry Bitters at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans last week.

The Millionaires' Club 2015 launches online

The Millionaires' Club, Drinks International's report on the largest selling spirits brands, is now available to download.

Crème de Casis takes ISC Supreme Champion award

Lejay Noir de Bourgogne was named Supreme Champion at the 20th International Spirits Challenge ceremony yesterday.

Bacardi buys Leblon

Bacardi has completed the acquisition of Leblon cachaça, having owned a share of the brand for several years.

William Grant is Rugby World Cup’s official spirits and champagne provider

William Grant & Sons has announced that it is the official spirits & champagne tournament provider to the Rugby World Cup 2015 which starts in September.

Martin Riley goes Nude

Martin Riley, Pernod Ricard’s former chief marketing officer, has joined brand marketing agency, Nude Brand Creation.

Jinro maintains spirits industry dominance

Jinro soju has retained its position as the number one selling spirit brand in the world, ahead of Emperador brandy, according to Drinks International’s Millionaires’ Club 2015.

Middle aged drinkers are going to have drink problems

Approximately 3.4 million middle aged people who drink regularly are going to have health problems, according to an alcohol education charity.

DI's Roskrow wins Drinks Writer of the Year

Dominic Roskrow has won Drinks Writer of the Year at the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drinks Awards 2015 for articles published in Drinks International magazine.

Last call for Millionaires' Club 2015 entry

It is the last call for entry to The Millionaires' Club 2015, the annual supplement from Drinks International that lists the best selling spirits in the world.

Distell makes key appointments

Distell has made two top management changes to accommodate expansion in global travel retail and Taiwan.

Roskrow shortlisted for Fortnum & Mason award

Drinks International’s regular spirits writer Dominic Roskrow has been short-listed for a coveted Fortnum & Mason Food and Drinks Award for work carried out for Drinks International.

Bacardi launches green tea spirit

Bacardi has launched a spirit distilled entirely from green tea leaves for the Asian market. 

Diageo to provide nutrition and alcohol content on bottles

Diageo has become the first multi-national alcohol company to provide consumers with nutrition and alcohol content information per typical serve.

Jägermeister reports “significant decrease” in US sales

Mast-Jägermeister has reported a 5.6% decline in annual sales volumes due to “challenging trading conditions” in the US market. 

Suntory Holdings announces sales rise

Suntory Holdings has announced 2014 yielded sales of 2.5 trillion yen, up 20% year on year, and operating income of 165 billion yen, up 30%.

Pernod growth thwarted by ailing China

Pernod Ricard has reported sales and profit growth of +1% for H1 2014/2015, after declines in China and the US halted overall advances.

Aske and Stephenson enter pre-mixed fray

Bartending duo Thomas Aske and Tristan Stephenson launched a range of pre-mixed drinks yesterday at their London bar, Worship Street Whistling Shop.

Diageo appoints e-commerce manager

Diageo has appointed a digital and e-commerce manager for Europe – a new role created to unify the company’s digital practices and develop a comprehensive digital presence.

Changes at Distil

Distil plc, owner of brands including Blavod Black vodka, Blackwoods gin and vodka, and RedLeg rum, has announced the appointment of Shaun Claydon, as finance director with immediate effect.

Bacardi appoints industry veteran Perego

Bacardi has announced an internal appointment of a new regional president for Europe.

Diageo volumes down in all regions but Africa

Diageo has reported negative trading for the first half of its 2014/2015 financial year, thanks to volume declines in all of its regions except Africa.

Diageo future more hopeful than H1 performance

Data research company Euromonitor International has said Diageo’s upcoming six months results may not reflect the company’s long-term growth prospects.

Cotswolds Distillery to enter US market

The Cotswolds Distillery has announced it will launch its flagship Dry Gin in the US after securing a deal with MHW ltd. 

The World's 50 Best Bars Brands Report 2015: Cocktails

Here we look at the brands used by the World's 50 Best Bars in cocktails.

Brands Report 2015: Best Sellers

In the best selling ranks, muscle matters. 

World's 50 Best Bars Brands Report 2015

Welcome to the World's 50 Best Bars Brands Report 2015, a spin-off survey that tells us what brands sell best in the best bars in the world.

IWSR to partner INSEEC

The International Wine and Spirit Research (IWSR) has announced a partnership with the INSEEC Wine & Spirits Institute.

Diageo and Sean Combs expands DeLeón portfolio

Diageo and Sean 'Diddy' Combs have unveiled an expanded DeLeón Tequila portfolio.

Asia to remain key for long-term growth

Asia remains the key region for the long-term development of the global alcohol market, according to the IWSR’s latest report.

The Avalon Group launches three spirits

The Avalon Group has released three spirits on the eve of TFWA Cannes. 

WSTA Spirits Committee elects new chairman

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s Spirits Committee has elected Finn O’Driscoll, managing director of SHS Drinks, as its new chairman. He replaces Chris Searle.

Havana Club launches Essence of Cuba

First unveiled to Drinks International in Cuba earlier this year, Havana Club has unveiled a new set of bitters, Essence of Cuba.

Berrys unveils Exceptional Casks Collection

Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits has announced the inaugural release from the Exceptional Casks Collection. 

Cointreau unveils Cointreau Noir in the UK

Cointreau has announced plans to unveil Cointreau Noir to the UK at London Cocktail Week.

Disaronno partners with Versace for new bottle

Disaronno has unveiled a new bottle, designed by luxury fashion house, Versace.

Belvedere promotes drinking ‘better’ during London Cocktail Week

Belvedere Vodka is opening a three-day ‘Drink, Eat, Live’ pop-up during London Cocktail Week. 

Ferrari moves to Montenegro

Marco Ferrari has been appointed CEO of the Montenegro Group, an Italian spirits and food manufacturer.

Cognac falls 6.7% in volume and 10.2% in value

The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) has announced shipments of cognac have fallen by 6.7% in volume and 10.2% in value from August 2013 - July 2014.

Distill Ventures doubles intake for accelerator programme

Distill Ventures - set up with investment from Diageo – will give up to 10 new and growing spirits brands the opportunity to take part in its Seed Programme 2015.  

Distell buys 26% of Kenyan spirits company

Distell Group has agreed a deal to acquire a 26% stake in KWA Holding East Africa Limited (KHEAL), a leading spirits manufacturer, bottler and distributor in Kenya.

International Spirits Challenge: the results

Crème de Cassis de Dijon was named Supreme Champion at the International Spirits Challenge awards ceremony last night at the Honorable Artillery Company in London.

William Grant & Sons UK unveils Three Barrels Honey

William Grant & Sons UK, formerly First Drinks, unveiled Three Barrels Honey at its 2014 Market Report last night.

The 86 Company launches four spirits in the UK

The 86 Company has launched a portfolio of four bartender-focused spirits in the UK. 

Polugar range unveiled at Imbibe Live

Emporia Brands unveiled a Polugar range at Imbibe Live yesterday, the first time the product has been available in the UK for more than 120 years.