Irish Distillers, the Irish whiskey arm of Pernod Ricard, unveiled two new single pot still Irish whiskeys today (May 5).

Pernod Ricard’s board of directors have co-opted Laurent Burelle to replace Lord Douro, who has resigned from his duties for personal reasons.

SABMiller has announced the appointment of James (Jamie) Wilson as deputy chief financial officer.

Chivas Brothers has introduced new packaging across its “core range" of The Glenlivet.

Online whisky retailer Master of Malt has launched a 40-year old whisky liqueur.

Gerard Chaussee, director of French liqueurs specialist Vedrenne, has said that he hopes to present a new organic creme de cassis at next year's International Spirits Challenge.

The absinthe ban in France has been lifted, according to absinthe brand La Fée.

SPI Group has acquired shares in Argentinean winery Achaval-Ferrer, as part of its strategy of investing in “jewels of the wine world”.

Pernod Ricard US has announced that Malibu has added Cranberry-Cherry to its range of rum liqueurs, following a vote by consumers.

Two of London’s bartenders drew swords in San Francisco in the final of the No. 209 Gin Duel.

Jim Beam has launched its Red Stag bourbon-based drink in the UK market and in travel retail outlets across Europe.

SABMiller has launched a new Peroni Nastro Azzurro global ad campaign that celebrates the Italian summer.

Brazilians are increasingly turning to wine as their beverage of choice, according to consumer research published by Wine Intelligence.

Christie’s has conducted a 36-hour wine auction in Hong Kong and New York, with sales totalling US$11.2m.

Champagne cooperative Centre Vinicole – Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte has appointed Julie Campos as commercial director.

Glazer’s, the Dallas-based wine, spirits and malt beverage distributors, has appointed Jim Oliver as senior vice president of fine wine.

Glazer’s, the Dallas-based wine, spirits and malt beverage distributors, has appointed Jim Oliver as senior vice president of fine wine.

SABMiller subsidiary company Southern Sudan Beverages (SSBL) is to invest US$15m to increase production capacity.

10% of cancer in males and 3% in women is attributable to alcohol, according to Europe-wide research by the British Medical Journal.

Producers throughout the Cognac region have major concerns that early budbreak, caused by an unprecedented warm spell in early April, could result in severe crop damage if night-time temperatures fall to freezing in the next few weeks.

Heinemann Asia Pacific, a subsidiary of Germany-based duty free retailer and distributor Gebr Heinemann, has appointed Paul Topping to the role of director.

Indian distributor Radico Khaitan is to launch Japanese whiskies the Yamazaki 12 year old and Hibiki 17 year old in India.

Stock Spirits Group has appointed Waldemar Maj and Dominique Bach as non-executive directors.

Finlandia vodka, part of Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands, has unveiled a new global packaging design dubbed ‘melting ice’.

Prosecco winery Follador has appointed World of Patria as its travel retail and duty free distribution partner.