Last year, 23 Restaurant Services acquired and added Don the Beachcomber restaurant brand to its portfolio, now in honour of Donn’s birthday on 22 February, the Tampa, Florida-based hospitality company is moving forward with an expansive growth strategy for its new tiki-themed restaurant brand.

Atlanta-based Shortbarrel has announced the acquisition of the Old Fourth Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in Atlanta, US.

Havana Club is reducing the weight of glass bottles across its core portfolio in a move that it estimates will save 2.2K tons of CO2 per year.

Drinks marketing, events and brand activation agency, ItalSpirits, has appointed Roberta Mariani as advocacy director.

Trois Frères Distillery, the makers of Takamaka Rum in the Seychelles, has announced that it is launching into Taiwan through boutique importer and distributor Bring The Rocks.

The UKGB and Molinari have announced a joint partnership to build awareness and relationships within the UK hospitality industry.

English gin, Brockmans, has expanded its brand management and marketing teams with drinks specialists, Eric Sampers and Helen Buchanan. 

Spanish drinks group Vantguard has announced a three-way partnership with DJ Carl Cox and investment group B-Ikonik with Ibiza-inspired brand, Islena.

In September, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto celebrated the anniversary of its sixth year. To mark the occasion, the brand announced the release of a new book outlining the first five years of Italicus. Drinks International caught up with founder Giuseppe Gallo to talk about the evolution of the brand.

Premium tequila brand Cazcabel has announced that its $37million distillery is set to open in Atotonilco El Alto in the Jalisco highlands of Mexico in 2023.

Iichiko shochu has signed an importer agreement with Shaw-Ross International Importers to expand its availability across the US.

Ukrainian vodka brand Nemiroff has partnered with Disaronno International for exclusive distribution in the Benelux market.

Diageo has announced the sale of Archers, the Peach Schnapps brand, to De Kuyper Royal Distillers. 

Heineken UK has announced the purchase of the remaining shares of Beavertown Brewery, having purchased a minority stake in 2018, assuming full ownership of London’s largest brewery.

Jack Daniel’s owner Brown-Forman has confirmed the purchase of gin brand Gin Mare from Spanish premium drinks company, Vantguard.

Japanese spirits brand Ukiyo has launched its Blossom Gin, Yuzu Gin, and Rice Vodka in New Zealand after agreeing a distribution deal.

Diageo has unveiled the new visitor experience at its Caol Ila Distillery on the Isle of Islay, following a multi-million pound transformation.

Highland single malt brand, Loch Lomond, has been named the world’s fastest-growing top 25 single malt brand in 2021 by IWSR, with a 73% year-on-year increase in volume.

Campari Group has acquired an initial 15% interest in Howler Head Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, after the signing and closing of an agreement with Catalyst Spirits.

Edrington UK has announced the appointment of its latest UK Brand Ambassador for the House of Suntory, Raffaele Di Monaco.

Diablo, created by South American wine company Concha y Toro, has announced the arrival of two new wines to its portfolio.

Drinks International sits down with Spirit of Harrogate co-founder Marcus Black to talk heritage, sport, and how to create a gin that stands out from the crowd.

French Brandy company, St-Rémy, is celebrating the success of its St-Rémy Signature which launched in 2020 and is showing growth in its pioneering markets of Canada, USA and Australia, as it continues to expand into new markets.

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.

Gin-brand Elephant Gin has announced the launch of the Elephant Gin Foundation, an independent non-profit dedicated to protecting African wildlife.

Coffee liqueur-brand Kahlúa has announced that it will reach a 100% sustainable coffee harvest to cover all production by November 2022.

BrewDog has been ranked 14th most valuable beer brand in the world by independent brand valuation and consultancy firm Brand Finance, in its Alcoholic Drinks Report 2022, which ranks the world’s top 50 most valuable beer brands.

Jameson has announced that professional Irish golfer, Shane Lowry, is to be the new brand ambassador, as they come together for a three-year global partnership.

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

Bimmerle KG has taken over the distribution of La Martiniquaise Scotch whisky brand Label 5 Classic Black whisky in Germany.

Whisky's rising star Dhavall Gandhi talks to Drinks International about his new consulting venture.

Elixir Distillers has signed an agreement to buy the Tormore distillery and brand from Pernod Ricard.

Korean Soju brand Jinro has once again topped the list of Drinks International’s The Millionaires’ Club having sold more than 94m 9-litre cases in 2021.

The Dubliner Irish Whiskey has announced the launch of a new cinnamon and chilli flavoured whiskey liqueur variant.

Super-premium gin Brockmans has announced that one million bottles were sold within a 12-month period, a milestone for the brand.

The Wine Intelligence Global Wine Brand Power Index 2022 has reported that Yellow Tail is again the world’s most powerful wine brand with Casillero del Diablo meaning an unchanged top two.

Super-premium tequila brand Mijenta, has launched Mijenta Reposado Tequila, the second UK launch from the brand following the release of Mijenta Blanco Tequilla in June 2021.

UK-based functional drink brand Three Spirit has announced the launch of a range of non-alcoholic alternative wines, Blurred Vines.

Stoli Group has announced the launch of a limited-edition Ukrainian-themed vodka with all set to go to World Central Kitchen’s meals for Ukrainian refugees.

Cuban rum brand Ron Santiago de Cuba has announced the appointment of Antonio Naranjo as new global brand ambassador.

Spanish producer Familia Torres has retained its crown as The World’s Most Admired Wine Brand after topping the list for 2022.

Diageo has announced the acquisition of super-premium flavoured Tequila brand 21 Seeds.

Beverage producer Curius has launched with the promise of bringing a “fashion-like perspective” to drinks brand-building and three new product launches in 2022.

Kenyan ultra-premium spirits producer, Procera Gin has announced a partnership with Axiom Brands to accelerate growth in the UK on- and off-trade.

Welsh whisky brand Aber Falls has announced an international roll-out that will see the brand become available in more than ten countries including Australia, Germany, Denmark, and Canada.

Diageo has announced plans to build a new $245m distillery for its Crown Royal Canadian Whisky brand.

Co-founder and chief exec of non-alcoholic spirit brand Lyre’s, Mark Livings, has joined the advisory board of Ful, a producer of climate-positive, sparkling spirulina drinks.

The world’s leading premium mixer brand, Fever-Tree, has become available in South Korea for the first time.

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.

High-end bars rarely allocate bar-top space to draught systems, meaning the bestselling list is a battle of the bottles.