Shay Waterworth meets Woodford Reserve’s visionary master distiller, Elizabeth McCall, to discuss the brand and future of bourbon.

Mike Carthy, founder and owner of Slingsby Gin, has invested in Hacien tequila for an undisclosed sum.

There’s an appetite for smoky whiskies in Asia created with the help of peat – both home grown and imported. Shay Waterworth reports on the brands taking cues from Islay

Champagne house Bollinger sent a cease and desist letter to English wine brand Folc over a social media post referencing “Bollie”.

In celebration of its 260th anniversary, rhum agricole brand Saint James has introduced its Cuvée Elégance Saint James.

In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine which sparked the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. Over the subsequent years, drone attacks and combat fighting have dominated the news, but for the vodka industry there’s a completely different narrative less told.

Maison Ferrand UK has added Adriatico Amaretto to its premium distribution portfolio, alongside the launch of Adriatico Zero, the brand's first non-alcoholic expression. 

With backing from film director Guy Ritchie, Rosemaund may seem like yet another celebrity whisky brand, but its story is far more poignant, one of family bonds, enduring passion and a long-awaited homecoming.

Mauritian energy and agro-industrial company, Omnicane, has launched premium rum brand Major Philippe. 

Casa Redondo, the Portuguese spirits company behind Licor Beirão and Safari, has acquired Sheridan’s coffee and cream liqueur from Diageo.

French organic vodka Le Philtre has joined spirits producer and distributor Spiribam.

Sweden-based distillery, Almqvist Destilleri, has appointed drinks industry stalwart Jake Burger as its head distiller.

Havana Club has announced that Michael Merolli will take over as CEO from industry veteran Christian Barré.

De Kuyper Royal Distillers has announced the launch of peach liqueur brand Archers in Australia through William Grant & Sons.

Kay Sake has announced a partnership with UK distributor Nightcap Brands to join its portfolio of premium beverages.

Age statement American whiskeys have finally caught up on demand, but is the timing unfortunate? Shay Waterworth find out.

Luxardo, the family-owned Italian distillery, has announced a change in its distribution in the UK market.

19 Crimes, Treasury Wine Estates’ global wine brand, has expanded into the Spanish wine category with the launch of its Tempranillo red.

The mixer brand has recruited a star-studded line-up of bartenders to take the message of its advocacy programme to bars around the world. Oli Dodd reports

Diageo has exchanged majority ownership of the brand rights for Cîroc vodka in North America, for majority ownership of tequila brand Lobos 1707.

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.

A Diageo India chief believes that the company has ambitions to "build a portfolio" of craft spirits in India.

Scotch doesn’t feature too o­ften on cocktail lists but that’s no reason for cocktail bars to not find a use for it. Its most ardent fans would consider mixing the stuff sacrilege, but there are a number of classics that call for it.

There are definite signs of change being afoot in brands’ popularity stakes in this always exciting category.

There are many different elements to consider when launching a non-alcoholic spirits brand. Aside from creating the liquid, the bottle design and communication are also crucial touchpoints.

Pritesh Mody, founder of World of Zing Cocktails, the pre-batch and bottled cocktail brand, has joined Th!nk Drinks as creative director.

Irish whiskey brand Waterford entered administration earlier this week after failing to raise fresh funding.

Anora has completed the sale of its Swedish schnapps brand Snälleröds to Malmö-based beverage company Saturnus AB.

Created at Japan’s Aumont Brewery, overseen by master brewer Tanaka-Toji, Kay Sake has launched in the UK with the aim to offer consumers an alternative to traditional cocktails.

In his inaugural column for Drinks International, Branson takes a wider look at the overall non-alcoholic spirits sector to identify which brands will thrive and which won’t survive.

Living Souls, a new Scottish spirits brand specialising in small batch and single cask releases, has announced its launch.

Michter’s has retained its title as The World’s Most Admired Whiskey brand in the fourth edition of the annual top 50 list released by Drinks International.

Beverage brand Three Cents has added a Fig Leaf Soda to its range of carbonated premium mixers.

Diageo North America has announced its acquisition of Ritual Zero Proof Non-Alcoholic Spirits (Ritual).

Fords Gin, the London Dry Gin created by Simon Ford and tenth generation master distiller Charles Maxwell, has announced the opening of its new bar and brand home.

RTD and hard seltzer brand, White Claw, has released its first vodka in the UK, launching nationwide next month.

RTD brand Whitebox Cocktails has collaborated with Irish airline Aer Lingus to offer three varieties to business class passengers.

Skrewball peanut butter whiskey liqueur has entered Australia and New Zealand in partnership with Pernod Ricard.

Anora has reached an agreement to acquire the Blomberg glögg brand, along with its recipes and intellectual property rights, from Orkla Denmark.

Treasury Wine Estates and rapper Snoop Dogg have expanded their collaborative wine portfolio with the launch of Cali Blanc.

Panther M*lk, an oat milk ready-to-drink cocktail has launched a new bottle design and extended its range of flavours to include Crema, Rosa, Cafe, and Menta.

Patrón tequila has announced it is bringing back Patrón XO Cafe to the US having discontinued the product three years ago.

Altamura Distilleries is set to launch into Australia this April, marking further expansion of the brand's global distribution, as it recently launched into India.

Spanish wine producer Familia Torres has been named The World’s Most Admired Wine Brand 2024 in the 14^th edition of the ranking.

Label 5 Scotch Whisky plans to reinforce its ‘Glocal’ marketing campaign throughout 2024 with a wide range of activations in its priority global markets.

Danish whisky Stauning has launched the ‘Stauning Drinks Kollektive’, a global cocktail competition which aims to shine a light on bartenders from Denmark, Germany, France, the UK, US and Australia.

Campari Group has launched the Vermouth Society, a new global bartender engagement programme designed around Vermouth Del Professore and 1757 Vermouth di Torino.

Actor Cate Blanchett has joined Toku Saké as creative director where she will direct the strategy of the brand, including new product development and innovation.

Ready-to-serve cocktail brand Whitebox Cocktails has partnered with brand-building agency, Artisan Spirits, to expand its international distribution.