Beam Suntory has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Jerez-based brandy and sherry business to Emperador inc.  

There are unconfirmed reports that Emperador, the Philippine brandy maker, is to buy Louis Royer, the French cognac brand.

In the second article of the Brandy Report series, DI investigates the Philippine brandy market

Hite-Jinro’s soju brand, Jinro, remains the world’s best-selling spirit, according to this year's Drinks International’s million-case brands survey.

The Philippines-based Alliance Global Group drinks group which owns the Emperador brand, has bought Whyte & Mackay US$726 million, including debt, according to unconfirmed reports.

The three fastest growing million-case spirit brands of 2012 all emanated from the brandy category, according to the Millionaires’ Club 2013.

Hite-Jinro’s soju brand, Jinro, remains the world's best selling spirit after growing sales 6% to 65.3m 9-litre cases last year, according to DI's soon-to-be-published The Millionaires’ Club 2013.

The Philippines-based Emperador brand is the world’s number one selling brandy after more than doubling its volume sales during 2011.