Diageo unveils Scotch growth strategy

Diageo has outlined its Scotch category growth strategy at its investor conference in New York.

SABMiller first-half underlying sales rise

Brewer SABMiller has reported good underlying sales for the second quarter, a day after AB InBev agreed a £17bn merger

Sandeman releases six-label collection to mark 225th anniversary

Port house Sandeman has announced the release of a six-bottle collection to celebrate its 225-year history.

Gruppo Campari reports positive results

Gruppo Campari has reported positive growth of 7.9% as group sales totalled €1,144.7 million in the first nine months of 2015. 

Marie Brizard reports "contrasting" Q3

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits has recorded a third quarter of contrasts, with improvements in France but penalisation in the US and Poland. 

AB InBev and SABMiller agree merger

Anheuser-Busch InBev has agreed the terms of its £71bn takeover of SABMiller.

Beam Suntory extends Pinnacle range

Beam Suntory has added Peppermint Bark and Pumpkin Pie to its Pinnacle vodka flavour range for the festive period. 

Beam Suntory boost Suntory Holdings YTD results

Beam Suntory sales increased 36% in the first nine months of the year, benefitting from “strong performance” in North America and Japan.

Stock Spirits Group appoints non-executive director

Stock Spirits has announced the appointment of Miroslaw Stachowicz as an independent non-executive director. 

Stoli Group names central European distributors

Stoli Group has announced the appointment of two new distributors in a bid to bring a renewed approach to the Central Europe market. 

Heineken appoints Cindy Tervoort to UK marketing director

Heineken has announced the appointment of Cindy Tervoort to the role of UK marketing director, following Jacco van der Linden’s promotion to managing director of Heineken’s operating company in China.

Diageo sells Argentinian wine interests to Grupo Peñaflor

Diageo has agreed the sale of its wine interests in Argentina to Grupo Peñaflor.

Vinolok and Vinoseal join Vinventions

Preciosa, the Bohemian glass wine closure brand owner, has completed an agreement with Vinventions for the distribution of Vinolok and Vinoseal.

Diageo brands help boost United Spirits results

Diageo’s United Spirits has reported an increase in half-year and second-quarter sales. 

Finest Call presents cocktail trends predictions

Finest Call and Cellar Trends predict that the cocktail market will account for 10% of all UK spirits sales by 2020. 

SABMiller and Anheuser-Busch InBev deadline extended

SABMiller and Anheuser-Busch InBev have been granted another extension for their takeover talks, with the deadline moving to November 11. 

Travel Retail Awards results announced

Drinks International’s Travel Retail Awards were announced on Tuesday 20October at Majestic Barrière in Cannes during the TFWA Global Summit.

The World's 50 Best Bars 2015 in pictures

The World's 50 Best Bars 2015 awards ceremony took place in London's Christ Church Spitalfields yesterday. 

News Analysis: Don’t believe the news – Greece is actually not doing so badly

Psychologists say that about 70% of the effects of an economic crisis in a society can be attributed to, well, psychology. The way you react is not about what actually happens to you, it is about what you think might happen, or, even worse, about getting prepared for the worst. 

Whyte & Mackay appoints Jonathan Driver as rare whisky director

Whyte & Mackay has appointed Jonathan Driver as the company’s rare whisky director.

AB InBev approaches SABMiller to merge

Anheuser-Busch InBev has acknowledged SABMiller's announcement that AB InBev has made an approach to merge the two companies.

Diageo launches biggest campaign in Johnnie Walker's history

Diageo has launched its "largest ever” global marketing campaign for Johnnie Walker.

South African wine reaches tipping point

The South African wine industry has reached a "tipping point", according to Michael Jordan, chairman of Wines of South Africa, speaking at Cape 2015. 

Sparkling wine, spirits and beer drive UK market growth

The UK alcohol market has returned to growth following years of continuous decline, according to the latest WSTA market report. 

New Chivas Distillery opened by Nicola Sturgeon

First minister Nicola Sturgeon will officially open Chivas Brothers’ £25m Dalmunach Distillery on the banks of the River Spey today.

Ex-Bacardi Canada president warns of Bacardi downfall

Rob McPherson, former president of Bacardi Canada, has urged Facundo Bacardi not to “let Bacardi go off the cliff”. 

London Wine Week a ‘roaring success’

London Wine Week injected more than £50,000 into the capital’s hospitality industry as 8,000 visitors and more than 6,000 wristband wearers embraced London’s ‘thriving wine scene’ last week. 

Stock Spirits cautions 'extremely weak' Q1

Stock Spirits Group has warned of an ‘extremely weak’ first quarter in a trading statement released ahead of its annual general meeting today. 

Diageo opens Johnnie Walker House in Singapore

Diageo and DFS Group have opened the latest Johnnie Walker House retail showcase in Singapore Changi Terminal 3.

Majestic buys Naked and appoints Gormley as CEO

Majestic Wines has shocked the UK wine trade by buying Rowan Gormley’s Naked Wines and appointing him as CEO of the enlarged Majestic.

Diageo UK launches seven products

Diageo will launch seven products across six brands into the UK on-and off-trade this summer. 

Funkin expands syrup range with two new flavours

Funkin is expanding its range of single batch syrups with two new flavours, ginger and earl grey. 

Farrer named GTR managing director of Brown-Forman

Brown-Forman has announced the appointment of veteran employee Marshall Farrer to global travel retail managing director. 

UK Chancellor cuts spirits duty by 2%

The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced that all spirits duty will be cut by 2% in today’s Budget Statement.

“Loyal” champagne drinkers maintain sales

The champagne shipments results released last week were in line with expectation and a cause for satisfaction, Comité Champagne told DI at the Annual Champagne tasting yesterday.

Maxxium UK appoints managing director

Maxxium UK has announced the appointment of Mark Riley as managing director. 

Pernod Ricard announces executive appointments

Pernod Ricard has announced a number of appointments that will see the current CEO of Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët (MMPJ), Philippe Guettat, head Pernod Asia. 

Jeremy Rockett named Marblehead MD

International drinks company Quintessential Brands has appointed Jeremy Rockett managing director of Marblehead, its UK brand development company.

Think Gin announces line up

The gin category will be the focus of a new Drinks International event that takes place on February 9 at Merchant House in London.

Distillery Experience Awards results announced

Bombay Sapphire won Best Visitor Centre at the inaugural Drinks International Distillery Experience Awards.  

Brands Report 2015: Water

Whether for topping cocktails or sobering customers, bottled water is an indispensable part of the bar’s armoury.

Bacardi names new chief marketing officer

Bacardi has announced the appointment of Dmitry “Dima” Ivanov, as Bacardi chief marketing officer and president of Bacardi Global Brands. 

Lucas Bols to launch Amsterdam IPO

Dutch spirits supplier Lucas Bols has announced plans to raise around €125 million by launching an Initial Public Offering and listing on Euronext Amsterdam. 

Brands Report 2015: Tonic

No brand dominates Brands Report like Fever-Tree does.  

Brands Report 2015: Top Trending

Gin's the thing and it's a boutique bar brand that has got bartenders around the world all fired up.

Bacardi streamlines Martini Asti bottles

Bacardi has redesigned its Martini Asti bottles as part of its sustainability initiatives. 

Lords to question Jane Ellison MP on Alcohol Strategy

Jane Ellison MP will be questioned in the final evidence session of its House of Lords inquiry on the future of EU Alcohol Strategy this Wednesday (10 December). 

Nicki Minaj MYX Fusions Moscato to launch in UK

James E McCabe has announced UK partnership plans with MYX Fusions Moscato, the ready-to-drink brand co-owned by international popstar Nicki Minaj. 

Diageo tops Beverage sector Most Admired Companies

Diageo has topped the Beverage sector of Management Today magazine’s annual Britain’s Most Admired Companies awards. 

Nicolas Feuillatte to launch in India

Nicolas Feuillatte has announced plans to launch the champagne brand in India next year.