There’s something quite transfixing – almost hypnotic – when it comes to looking at the latest brand figures for spirits around the world. You cannot stop. More particularly so as there seems to be so much cause for celebration in the 2011 round-up. There’s Johnnie Walker scotch whisky on an incredible 18 million cases; the Irish whiskey Jameson’s posting a 20%-plus increase and now nudging the 4 million case-mark, well I could go on, and on. But one result has really warmed the cockles of my heart – and that’s William Grant’s single malt scotch whisky Glenfiddich.
Whisky Exchange to put on October tasting show
The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show will take place at Vinopolis in London in October.
World's largest whisky unveiled
The Edrington Group has broken the world record for the largest bottle of whisky with the unveiling of a 228-litre bottle of The Famous Grouse.
Glen Garioch steps up duty free focus
Morrison Bowmore Distillers has launched a travel retail-exclusive Glen Garioch single malt whisky.
Hiscot merges fully with Jinro
South Korea scotch whisky producer, Hiscot Ltd has merged fully with Korean brewing company,Hite-Jinro Group Co Ltd.
Indian whisky
The market for whisky in India is huge, but local brands have the lion’s share due to the exorbitant import tariffs. Christian Davis reports
The Macallan 64 Year Old Lalique Cire Perdue is world’s most expensive whisky sold at auction – that’s official.
The Macallan unveils new range
The Macallan has unveiled a new range, the 1824 Series, which is being rolled out into the UK market this autumn.
Grant's recreates whisky 100 years on
Grant's master blender Brian Kinsman has recreated William Grant's whisky - Stand Fast.
US: Diageo buys maple whiskey
US: Diageo has purchased Cabin Fever Maple Flavoured Whisky from the Robillard family. Diageo aims to capitalise on two growth trends in the US: flavoured whiskey and craft distilling.
Credit to Pernod. The company has done a fine job this week in extolling the success of scotch whisky around the world and in telling important opinion formers that the company is best placed to capitalise on that thirst and in doing so earn lots of money for the company, its suppliers, customers, not forgetting its investors.
Pernod raises the stakes
Pernod Richard is raising the stakes in scotch whisky after a week in which it hosted a ‘Capital Markets Day’ of presentations up at its flagship Glenlivet distillery on Speyside.
International Spirits Challenge goes to Scotland
The whisky element of the International Spirits Challenge is to be held in Scotland and will feature a chance to meet the judges.
Laphroaig celebrates Jubilee
Islay single malt whisky Laphroaig is to launch a Diamond Jubilee commemorative edition.
Bowmore launches new expression
Islay single malt Bowmore is launching a new expression in the UK - Bowmore Small Batch Reserve.
Beam makes its Mark over wax seal
A US court has upheld a ruling to protect Maker’s Mark’s dripping red wax seal.
Former Cooley MD to create Irish whiskey company
Jack Teeling has left his position as managing director of Cooley Distillery, just months after its sale to Beam, to set up an independent Irish whiskey company.
Seven Islands Vintage, a Scottish Indian whisky
Seven Islands Vintage is described as a luxury single malt scotch whisky bringing together the best of India and Scotland.
Black Grouse goes Alpha
The Edrington Group has unveiled a new version of The Black Grouse, the rich, spicy, sweet and smoky version of its mainstream Famous Grouse blended scotch whisky brand.
Johnnie Walker and Jenson Button to make whisky
Diageo is to create a £30,000 whisky inspired by Formula One driver Jenson Button.
Ian Macleod to reopen Tamdhu, launch premium whisky
Ian Macleod Distillers is to reopen Speyside distillery Tamdhu. The company purchased the distillery in 2011, after it was closed in 2010 by previous owner the Edrington Group.
£1m whisky shop opens in Edinburgh
Edinburgh-based Scotch Whisky Experience has opened the doors to its whisky shop, following a £1million refurbishment.
Scotch exports hit record high
The scotch whisky category belied global economic instability in 2011 by growing sales value 23% to a record £4.2billion.
Diageo launches two new Johnnie Walker whiskies
Diageo GTME Americas has launched two new products under the Johnnie Walker brand. Johnnie Walker Platinum Label and Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve will launch in the Americas first, followed by a global roll-out in travel retail in the first half of 2012.
Rexam to roll out Teacher’s ready to drink can for India
Rexam, the can maker, has announced that it has been chosen by Beam Global Spirits and Wine India to provide the can for its new Teacher's ready-to-drink variant.
Profile: George Grant
If the name’s Grant and the place is Scotland, the chances are the game’s whisky. Lucy Britner meets a Grant at Glenfarclas
It is not every day you get to try a whisky that is going to cost a punter £100,000, plus VAT. Today I got to try the Diamond Jubliee by John Walker & Sons, which has been produced by Diageo for the 60th anniversary of the Queen ascending the throne.
Scotch Whisky Association launches job report
The Scotch Whisky Association has launched a report, which outlines the number of jobs supported by the scotch whisky industry.
CEDC pairs with Beam in Poland
Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has signed a five-year exclusive agreement to distribute Beam brands in Poland.
Glenfiddich launches double-matured whisky
William Grant has launched a new expression of its Glenfiddich whisky brand: Glenfiddich Malt Master’s Edition.
Last night I went to Boisdale, that well known London haunt for whisky, cigar and red meat lovers, for the launch of The Balvenie Craftsman's Reserve No1, The Cooper...
Russia: CEDC/La Martiniquaise deal commences
Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with La Martiniquaise to distribute Label 5 whisky in Russia. La Martiniquaise announced the tie-up in December 2011.
Pernod rolls out Redbreast 12 Cask Strength to US
Pernod Ricard will release Irish whiskey Redbreast 12 Cask Strength to the US in February, following the expression’s September launch to Ireland, Germany and France.
Beam agrees Cooley Distillery purchase
Beam Inc has announced an agreement to purchase Irish whiskey producer Cooley Distillery.
Amrut imports port barrels for Portonova release
Indian malt whisky brand Amrut has launched a whisky matured in port barrels, named Portonova, to global markets.
Scotland: Diageo opens £10m cooperage
Diageo has opened a £10 million cooperage in Scotland.
Master of Malt launches blogger blend St Isidore
Following a collaboration with whisky bloggers and journalists, Master of Malt has released St Isidore.
Bell's whisky gets £1.35m push
UK: Diageo GB is re-positioning its Bell’s blended scotch whisky brand via a £1.35m TV ad campaign.
Drinks International is delighted to announce that Patience Gould, its former editor and a well known figure in the drinks industry, is returning to write a regular column.
Patience Gould returns to Drinks International
Drinks International is delighted to announce that Patience Gould, its former editor and a well known figure in the drinks industry, is returning to write a regular column.
Scotland: Industry blasts minimum pricing
A minimum unit price for alcohol set out in today’s (November 1) Scottish government Bill is unlikely to reduce alcohol misuse, will threaten the £3.4 billion whisky industry and will punish moderate drinkers, according to the trade.
Ballantine's whisky gets festive
Chivas Brothers is to roll out a Christmas edition of it Ballantine’s scotch whisky. Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is available until December in ‘key markets’ including Spain, France and Taiwan.
Jack Daniel's crowns UK champion
Jack Daniel's has crowned the UK champion of its Tennessee-based Birthday Cocktail Competition 2011.
Master of Malt launches yesteryear expression
Online spirits merchant Master of Malt has extended its line of yesteryear spirit-based expressions with the launch of Proprietary Barley Spirit Drink.
Craft Japanese whisky launched
The first whisky from Japanese craft distillery Chichibu has been launched. Chichibu The First is three years old, 61.8% abv and limited to 7,400 bottles. The whisky is not chill-filtered.
Russia: Whyte & Mackay teams up with Roust
Whyte & Mackay has announced a partnership with Russian Standard vodka owner Roust. The deal is for the distribution and promotion of the Glasgow-based company’s spirits portfolio in Russia.
Edrington launches smokier Black Grouse whisky
The Edrington Group is to launch a smokier expression of its Black Grouse whisky.
Scotch whisky exports up 22%
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced that the value of scotch exports for the first half of 2011 is up 22%
Beam launches Teacher's Origin whisky
Beam Global is to launch Teacher’s Origin in global travel retail. The product has already launched in India, where, according to Beam, Teacher’s is the number one blended whisky.
Diageo posts strong results
Diageo has cited ‘emerging markets’ as a reason for its positive results – including 16% growth in scotch whisky in emerging markets.