The Yamazaki 18 wins Supreme Champion at International Spirits Challenge 2025
In the 30th edition of the International Spirits Challenge, Suntory Spirits has won the 2025 Supreme Champion award with The Yamazaki 18.
Exclusive: Bar De Vie opens in Paris
Bar De Vie has opened in Paris on the same site as fine dining restaurant Comptoir De Vie and retail space Cave De Vie.
Enotria & Coe rebrands as Enotria
Enotria & Coe has rebranded as Enotria, as it returns to its roots as a premium wine and spirits specialist.
Drinks United launches survey to build a more inclusive UK drinks industry
Drinks United, the partnership between the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), and The Drinks Trust, has announced the launch of an industry-wide survey.
Diageo announces new appointment to board of directors
Diageo has appointed John Rishton to its board of directors, effective 1 November 2025.
Bar Leone to open second site in Shanghai
Hong Kong cocktail bar Bar Leone has announced plans to open a second venue in Shanghai, China this Autumn, Drinks International can exclusively reveal.
The Rosewood Foundation launches programme to support women in hospitality
Rosewood Hotel Group and Rosewood Foundation have announced Rise to the Table, a new annual programme designed to empower the next generation of female hospitality leaders.
Lion appoints new chief executive and creates Lion ANZ business
Lion has announced the appointment of Anubha Sahasrabuddhe as chief executive officer and the creation of Lion ANZ business.
Altamura and Hilton announce Culinary Cocktail Competition
Altamura Distilleries Vodka has launched a new culinary cocktail competition in collaboration with Hilton.
Brown‑Forman chief financial officer to step down
Brown‑Forman has announced that Leanne Cunningham, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will retire next year after more than 30 years with the company.
Trade bodies react to US-EU spirit tariffs update
Distilled Spirits Council CEO Chris Swonger has urged the Trump administration to push for zero-for-zero tariffs following the release of a joint trade statement between the US and EU.
The percentage of US adults who say they drink alcohol has fallen to its lowest since polling began in 1939.
UK government to overhaul high street hospitality red tape
The UK government is introducing new rules to fast-track licensing for venues and protect them from noise complaints.
WSET veteran Gareth Lawrence passes
Long-serving member of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Gareth Lawrence has passed away following a long period of poor health.
Global hospitality community platform launches
A new purpose-built digital networking platform designed specifically for hospitality professionals has launched.
Bar Leone named Asia’s best bar for second year running
Bar Leone from Hong Kong has been named the best bar in Asia for the second year in a row, at the tenth edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bars in a live ceremony held in Macau.
Diageo completes sale of majority stake in Seychelles Breweries
Diageo has completed the sale of its 54.4% shareholding in Seychelles Breweries to Phoenix Beverages Limited, a subsidiary of Mauritius-based IBL Group.
Nightjar Shoreditch celebrates 15th anniversary
East London speakeasy Nightjar Shoreditch is celebrating its 15th anniversary by partnering with Woodford Reserve for a Europe-wide tour of seminars, workshops, and bar takeovers.
Asia's 50 Best Bars 51-100 launches for 2025
Asia’s 50 Best Bars has announced the extended 51-100 list for the fifth year running.
Iain McPherson named industry's most influential in Bar World 100 2025
Edinburgh’s Iain McPherson has been voted the most influential figure in the global bar industry, according to Drinks International’s Bar World 100 in association with Perrier.
Franklin & Sons expands US distribution
UK-based tonic, mixer and soft drinks brand, Franklin & Sons, has expanded its distribution across the US through a partnership with Empire Distributors.
Spiritseurope names new director general
Spiritseurope has appointment Mark Titterington as its new director general, effective 1 September 2025.
The Whisky Exchange names Natalie Tennent new managing director
The Whisky Exchange has appointed Natalie Tennent as its new managing director which will be effective from 7 July 2025.
Trump tariffs blocked by US trade court
The drinks industry has been left in suspense after a trade court in the US blocked Donald Trump from imposing global import tariffs.
Montana: Inside Antinori x Caporale's new bar
As far as bar collaborations go, it doesn’t get much bigger than this. The founders of number two and number three in The World’s 50 Best Bars, Lorenzo Antinori and Simone Caporale, have joined forces to launch Montana in Hong Kong.
Speciality Brands moves into sake with Kanpai
Spirits distributor Speciality Brands has announced the addition of Kanpai, the London Craft Sake Brewery, to its portfolio.
Handshake Speakeasy named North America’s best bar for second year running
Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy took the top spot for the second year running in the live awards ceremony of North America’s 50 Best Bars, held at JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, Canada, last night.
The Cocktail Report 2025 launches
Drinks International has launched The Cocktail Report 2025, the third standalone edition of the annual cocktail roundup.
Antinori and Caporale to open new bar Montana in Hong Kong
Lorenzo Antinori and Simone Caporale have announced the opening of a new bar in Hong Kong called Montana, Drinks International can exclusively reveal.
Trump unveils plans for reciprocal global tariffs
In what has been dubbed ‘Liberation Day’, US president Donald Trump has announced steep reciprocal tariffs.
ItalSpirits departs from Roma Bar Show
ItalSpirits, the independent Italian spirits company founded by Giuseppe Gallo, has announced that it will not take part in the organisation of the upcoming 2025 edition of Roma Bar Show.
Majestic to acquire Enotria & Coe
UK-based specialist wine retailer, Majestic, has entered into a formal agreement to acquire wine and spirit supplier, Enotria & Coe.
Lucas Bols chief executive to step down
The Lucas Bols Company has announced that Frank Cocx, current chief financial officer, will take over as chief executive of the company.
Catena named The World’s Most Admired Wine Brand 2025
Argentinian wine producer Catena has been The World’s Most Admired Wine Brand 2025 in the 15th edition of the ranking.
Three Cents enters Singapore and Hong Kong
Beverage brand Three Cents has appointed Proof & Company as its distributor in Singapore and Hong Kong as it seeks to boost its presence in Asia.
The World's 50 Best Bars heads to Hong Kong for 2025
The organisation behind The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025, sponsored by Perrier, has announced that this year’s live ceremony will take place in Hong Kong on 8 October.
Aigin: The gin using AI to create recipe
Spanish spirits producer Beveland has launched Aigin, a gin which used artificial intelligence in the creation of its recipe.
India Bartender Week founders reflect on inaugural show
The first edition of India Bartender Week (IBW) took place from 20-27 February and Drinks International was there to meet the founders.
Martini undergoes bottle redesign
Bacardi has launched a new bottle design for its Martini vermouth range as it continues to target the ‘aperitivo moment’ globally.
Celebrate Her launches Data Census Survey to improve employment practice
Celebrate Her has teamed up with hospitality training platform Allara Global and consumer intelligence expert CGA by NIQ to launch a Data Census Survey for the drinks industry.
Scarfes Bar partners with Celebrate Her for IWD
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Scarfes Bar at the Rosewood London is collaborating with global community Celebrate Her to host ‘Accelerate Action’, Drinks International can exclusively reveal.
Tres Monos owners to open Victor
The owners of Buenos Aires’ Tres Monos - Sebastian Atienza, Charly Aguinsky and Gus Vocke – are days from opening restaurant-bar Victor in partnership with restaurant Niño Gordo.
González Byass invests in Los Danzantes mezcal
Emperador Group and González Byass have formed a joint venture called Casa Pedro Domecq which has injected capital into Los Danzantes mezcal.
Martell struggles lead to -4% sales drop for Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard has recorded a 4% sales decline for H1 FY2025 as the premium spirits market continues to show a downward trend globally.
US tariffs on Canadian imports delayed by 30 days
US president Donald Trump has agreed to halt the introduction of the 25% tariffs on Canadian imports to the States until 4 March.
Diageo chief addresses tariffs amid sales decline for HY24
Diageo chief executive Debra Crew addressed the implementation of US tariffs as part of the company’s six month interim results to 31 December 2024.
Berry Bros & Rudd set to lay off 30 staff
In a move reflecting the challenging economic climate, the CEO of wine merchant Berry Bros & Rudd has said the company is entering a consultation process with employees across 30 roles.
In an increasingly popular category the bestsellers have remained unchanged for the past three years
Angelos Bafas to release debut book
Angelos Bafas, also known as Mr Ungarnished, is set to release his debut book, Hyper Drinks, next week.
It may be suffering something of a slump when it comes to cocktail menus, but cognac still has presence in the world’s best bars.