UK spirits group Ian Macleod Distillers has recorded a 41% profit, buoyed by the growth of Glengoyne single malt whisky.

UK: Trade bodies Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) and the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) have denied that UK alcohol consumption is rising.

Scotch whisky Royal Salute has announced its sponsorship of the Sentebale’s Polo Cup in Dubai.

UK importer PLB has been appointed by Rioja winery Bodegas Navajas, with effect from March this year.

UK: AB InBev has launched a cider under the Stella Artois name. Stella Artois Cidre will be available from easter 2011 in 568ml bottles and 440ml cans and the company suggests serving the product over ice.

Constellation Wines Australia and Europe has been renamed Accolade Wines following the completed acquisition of an 80% share in the company by Australian equity group Champ.

In its fourth edition, the International Cognac Summit (ICS) 2011, attempted to answer the question: can you quantify pleasure when tasting cognac?

UK: The deputy prime minister Nick Clegg MP raised a glass to scotch whisky exports – up 12% in the first ten months of 2010.

Join us for a live web chat with Jacob’s Creek chief winemaker Bernard Hickin on Wednesday January 19 at 1pm (GMT).

Diageo Gobal Travel Middle East (GTME) has announced three ‘key strategic leadership’ appointments to its senior executive management team.

Czech beer Budvar bucked a 12% decline in Czech beer exports in 2010 to record growth of 4%.

Foster’s has launched an online tribute to England’s cricket victory, the first time for 24 years that England has won an Ashes Test Series in Australia.

Brand Phoenix has been appointed distributors for Angove Family Winemakers in the UK off-trade.

Brown-Forman, the major US drinks company, has announced a strategic review with a view to offloading its Californina-based wine assets.

Constellation Brands, hitherto, the world's leading wine company, has announced that it has sold its Australian and UK business, (Constellation Wines Australia and Europe, CWAE), to CHAMP, an Australian private equity group.

UK charities Alcohol Concern and the Children’s Society have called for “mandatory social work training” on the issues surrounding parental alcohol misuse.

UK-based mixer brand Funkin has announced the launch of a new range of purées called Funkin Fusion.

Limited edition Beefeater Winter gin has made its European travel retail debut in the main World Duty Free store in London Heathrow Terminal 3.

First Cape Wines has announced it will sponsor the British and Irish Lions rugby tour of Australia in 2013.

UK charity Drinkaware has said that tougher action is needed to counter UK binge drinking.

Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) is to purchase the global rights for Kauffman vodka.

Amaretto brand Disaronno has hosted the final of its first Mixing Star cocktail competition in London.

Jack Daniel’s celebrated the 160th birthday of its founder this month, with the fourth edition of its UK cocktail competition.

Scotch whisky has been granted geographical indication of origin (GI) in Panama.

UK: Hennessy will mark 54 years of continuous partnership - British racing’s longest commercial sponsorship - at this year’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury Racecourse on November 27.

UK beer brewer Adnams has opened a small-scale distillery, producing vodka, gin and whisky.

The trade has welcomed the Scottish Parliament’s decision to reject minimum pricing. This was the final time in which MSPs could vote to decisively keep minimum pricing out of the Alcohol Bill. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has consistently argued that minimum pricing would be illegal and ineffective in addressing misuse, whilst significantly damaging one of Scotland’s key industries.

China - an important market for scotch whisky – has announced that it will recognise and protect ‘scotch whisky’ as a Geographical Indication (GI).

Scotch whisky exports are up 17% compared with last year, with nine of the category’s top ten markets in growth.

Foster's Group has appointed Anthony Reeves to the role of chief financial officer (CFO), on a fixed term contract, effective from Monday 8 November 2010.

US spirits company Proximo has entered into a UK distribution agreement with Marblehead Brand Development.

Diageo brand Smirnoff has announced ‘country pairings’ for its global nightlife exchange project.

G H Mumm has released its 2002 vintage champagne to the UK and Italy.

Pernod Ricard has agreed a six-month sponsorship deal with UK TV channel Dave for its Australian wine brand Jacob’s Creek.

Winemaker and Prosecco brand Follador is launching to the UK market with a portfolio of sparkling and still wines.

Glen Garioch, the 200-year old Aberdeenshire-based distillery, has re-launched its range of single malt whiskies.

Cognac brand Courvoisier has undertaken a global repackaging of its VS label, starting with the UK and US markets.

Sri Lankan spirit Ceylon Arrack has appointed Mangrove as its exclusive UK importer.

Diageo chief executive Paul Walsh has been selected by the UK prime minister David Cameron to advise on business and economic issues.

Spanish liqueur brand Licor 43 is targeting UK growth, after up-scaling its marketing operations with the appointment of a brand ambassador.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) met with the UK Home Office to air concerns over government proposals to change the Licensing Act.

Global drinks giant Diageo has opened the doors of its new £40 million distillery in Speyside, Scotland.

The introduction of a minimum price for alcohol in Britain could see retailers and manufacturers reap £700m in extra revenue.

Champagne Jacquart is to appoint Enotria as its exclusive UK distribution agent from October.

UK company First Drinks has appointed Una McCullough as marketing director.

Chivas Brothers has launched a winter version of its Beefeater gin brand.

UK: Champagne GH Mumm has launched a campaign to reinforce its links with food. The Pernod Ricard brand is to partner selected restaurants as part of a UK-wide marketing campaign to celebrate its traditional links with gastronomy.

Scottish Labour’s Alcohol Commission has rejected the Scottish National Party’s (SNP) proposal for minimum pricing.

Diageo has announced the appointment of Lord Mervyn Davies of Abersoch to its board, effective September 1 2010. He is to be appointed as a non-executive director and his responsibilities will include membership of the audit, the nomination and the remuneration committees.

UK: Constellation Europe’s Banrock Station brand is to launch special edition wines to help preserve the British bee population.