The results for the International Beer Challenge (IBC) have now been revealed, with Averbode by Brouwerij L Huyghe winning Supreme Champion in the taste awards.

Campari Group chief executive, Matteo Fantacchiotti, has announced his resignation after only five months in the role.

US-based Bourbon distiller, Saga Spirits Group, has reportedly announced plans to develop a $92.5 million distillery and tourism centre on 150 acres in Kentucky.

Nemiroff De Luxe Vodka has entered the Australian market through Endeavour Group at Dan Murphy's stores across the country.

The Sydney Morning Herald has published an investigation into high profile Australian bar and restaurant group Swillhouse, which alleges multiple incidents of sexual harassment and assault, including rape, as well as drug abuse by Swillhouse employees.

US-based whiskey brand Uncle Nearest has announced the acquisition of Square One Organic Spirits.

Budweiser Brewing Group, part of AB InBev, will be the new distributor of Kopparberg products in the UK on-trade, effective from 28 May.

Experimental Group is due to open its second Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels wine bar in New York, La Compagnie Flatiron, ten years after the opening of its Soho site. 

Pernod Ricard has signed an agreement to sell Czech herbal liqueur Becherovka to Poland’s Maspex Group for an undisclosed sum.

Ojo de Dios Mezcal has announced a partnership with Nightcap Brands as its official UK importer and sales agent.

Laurent and Catherine Delaunay, founders and owners of Badet Clément, have unveiled a new name for their international family wine group, Delaunay Vins & Domaines.

Nolet Group has agreed to acquire Lucas Bols for around €270m with all operations to remain in Amsterdam.

Italian drinks company and owner of Disaronno and Tia Maria, Illva Saronno Group, has bought a majority stake in US rye whiskey brand and distillery, Sagamore Spirit.

Stock Spirits Group has announced the finalisation of two acquisitions including Clan Campbell from Pernod Ricard and the purchase of the Société Dugas.

Irish whiskey liqueur Shanky’s Whip has signed a new distribution deal with global drinks distributor Amber Beverage Group.

Alex Lawrence Milia has been promoted to managing director of Mr Lyan group and is now co-owner of the company’s venues.

Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España, CVNE, has acquired Bodegas La Val, located in Rías Baixas Denomination of Origin (DO), Spain.

Loch Lomond Group has launched Noble Rebel, a new blended malt Scotch whisky brand, available in three distinct expressions, Orchard Outburst, Smoke Symphony and Hazelnut Harmony.

St-Rémy French brandy is reducing the weight of its bottles as one of many measures to establish a new gold standard in sustainability.

London bar operator, Inception Group, will be launching Mr Fogg’s Pawnbrokers on Dean Street, Soho, on 22 February this year. 

The Shed Distillery and Monraq have announced a distribution partnership, allowing Monraq to exclusively represent Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin in the Caribbean and selected Latin America domestic and duty-free markets. 

Campari Group has announced it has reached an agreement to purchase an initial 70% interest, and in 2031 the remaining 30% interest, of the outstanding capital of Wilderness Trail Distillery, LLC.

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

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.

Bollinger Group, in addition to five other estates in France and the US, has acquired the Sancerre historic estate, Hubert Brochard.

Modernising Calvados

28 June, 2022

The apple-based spirit’s newest incarnations are at odds with outdated consumer perceptions, but a new breed of producer is working to change this.

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.

Having entered the hospitality industry in the early 2000s, Liam Davy is considered a veteran of the bartending community.

Mancino Vermouth has been acquired by The Lucano Group for an undisclosed fee and joins a wide portfolio of premium spirits brands.

Amber Beverage Group has acquired Irish whiskey brand Walsh Whiskey for an undisclosed sum with the existing staff remaining in place.

Fok Hing Gin has fallen foul of the industry-funded UK drinks industry watchdog for using offensive language.

VSPT Wine Group has seen an 11% increase in sales for Q2 to maintain its number one spot in the Chilean market.

Campari Group has reported that organic sales increased 37.1% year-on-year during the first half of 2021.

Scottish whisky auction firm, Whisky Hammer, and sister company Still Spirit has sold a 49% stake of the business to the Hong Kong investment group, Rare Whisky Holdings.

British bar operator Arc Inspirations has reported that sales have increased by 35% compared to 2019 since it resumed trading in May.

Moët Hennessy and Campari Group have joined forces to create an ecommerce business that will sell wine and spirits to consumers across Europe.

South American wine producer VSPT Wine Group posted a 27.6% sales increase during the first quarter of 2021 in spite of poor exchange rates.

Amber Beverage Group (ABG) has reported that net revenues in 2020 remained at 2019 levels despite an 8.4% drop in volumes due to the global pandemic.

Organic net sales at Campari Group increased by 17.9% to reach €397.9 million in the first three months of 2021.

Rhum Barbancourt, a family-owned distillery established in 1862, has entered a new distribution deal with MONARQ Group for Latin American and the Caribbean as well as duty free in the US.

Campari Group has reported that net adjusted profit decreased 24.4% year-on-year to €202.1 million in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Remy Cointreau has reported 25.1% sales growth for the final three months of 2020.

Online retailer Master of Malt has unveiled its first own-label spirits range comprising a gin, vodka, rum and blended Scotch.

Tullamore DEW brand ambassador John Quinn has been named the new chairman of trade group Drinks Ireland | Irish Whiskey Association.

Campari Group has revealed that some of its personal and business data has been compromised after it suffered a targeted ransomware attack.

The Portman Group has announced that Matt Lambert will replace John Timothy as chief executive in January 2021.

The former managing directors of Greene King and Ei Group have invested in Hofmeister after growing excited by its potential to take the world beer category by storm.

Quintessential Brands is launching a marketing push across its leading gin brands in the run-up to the festive trading period.

Three bartenders have surged through to the British regional final of Diageo’s World Class mixology competition after impressing judges with their portable cocktail creations.

Accolade Wines has acquired the historic Katnook Estate in Coonawarra from Wingara Wine Group.

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La'Mel Clarke

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