The Lost Explorer Mezcal has appointed Alan Uresti Silva, previously of Annabel’s, as UK brand ambassador.

Maison Courvoisier has announced the return of British Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori as its ‘ambassador of joy’, a role created exclusively for the artisit and designer. 

Desolas Mezcal has announced a new distribution partnership with Renaissance Wine Merchants to expand its footprint into Canada.

Maison Courvoisier has announced the launch of a second edition Courvoisier Mizunara, following the success of its inaugural edition.

Guillaume Thomas, veteran Pernod Ricard executive, will launch Martingale Cognac this autumn.

Sales of China’s national spirit were slower in the first six months of 2023 compared to the same period last year according to a poll conducted by China Alcoholic Drinks Association.

In celebration of its bicentennial year, Graham’s Port has launched a limited rare collection of ports in a specially designed piece of furniture. 

A decade after the release of Rare Cask 42.6, Louis XIII has introduced its Rare Cask 42.1, the first edition to be presented as a ritual set.

Speciality Brands has announced that it will become the exclusive UK distributor of French Cognac house, Camus.

Spiribam, the division that oversees the spirits activities of the GBH family group, has signed a distribution partnership with Cognac Hardy in the US.

Family-owned Calvados producer Christian Drouin has launched the sixth instalment of its Expérimental range, Caroni Angels.

Stephanie Illgner, former global marketing director of Carlsberg, has joined ISH, a non-alcoholic brand established in 2018 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Swedish schnapps brand Flävar reaches 100k bottles sold since launching in the UK on-trade in May this year, with plans to grow its European presence in 2023.

Toku Saké, a new super premium saké, has announced the release of Junmai Daiginjo, its debut liquid. 

Dolce-amaro aperitivo, Amaro Santoni, has announced it will be partnering with British distributor The Liana Collection this year, as they continue their expansion within the UK. 

The world’s number one selling spirit brand Jinro soju has announced it will be sponsoring Luno presents All Points East festival this month, the first time a Korean spirit brand has supported a major UK festival, making history for the global drinks market.

Shochu can now be sold under its own category name in the state of New York, US, after amendments to the Beverage Control Act allowing Japanese Shochu (24% ABV or under) to be sold under a beer and wine license.

Edrington UK has announced its appointment of Beckie Sullivan as UK national brand ambassador for Courvoisier.

A group of Ukrainian spirits industry professionals have launched a fundraiser calling on bartenders around the world to create a cocktail dedicated to Ukraine.

Panther M*lk, the world’s first ready to drink alcohol cocktail made from oat milk, spirits and liqueurs, has launched in the UK in two flavours.

Listening to the demands of bartenders, premium mixer brands have become increasingly experimental with their flavour combinations. To reflect this greater variety, the tonic water table of previous reports has been broadened to encompass all mixer brands.

Perhaps one of the smaller categories of the Brands Report, sherry is significant nonetheless. More than three-quarters of venues we polled stock sherry behind their bar. And most of those that do have two brands, while more than half will have three or more.

Cocktail Bitters are evocative of the Golden Age of cocktails – of brown and stirred-down drinks, braces, waistcoats and fine moustaches which went on to make an implausible comeback in the early 21st century.

Bacardi has announced the launch of a new non-alcoholic spirit brand created, in collaboration with Amsterdam-based bartenders, with cocktails in mind. 

Axia spirit, the world’s first extra-dry Mastiha spirit, has been released in the UK following launches in Greece and the US.