Standing listening last night to The Macallan’s brand ambassador, Joy Elliot, who was conducting a tasting of the new 1824 Series at the Whisky Shop in London’s Piccadilly, I could not resist a feeling of déjà vu.
WIRSPA relaunches
The West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association has relaunched its ‘Authentic Caribbean Rum' campaign.
Altia buys Larsen Cognac and Danish aquavit Brøndums
Altia, the Nordic-based alcoholic drinks group has bought the Larsen Cognac brand and the Danish aquavit brand Brøndums.
Diageo new appointments
Diageo has announced that Andy Fennell, chief marketing officer, will become president COO, Africa, reporting to Nick Blazquez, president Africa, Eastern Europe and Turkey.
Wemyss announces new distillery
Wemyss, owner of independent bottler Wemyss Malts and blended malt whiskies such as The Spice King, The Peat Chimney and The Hive, has announced that final planning permission has now been granted for its new single malt whisky distillery and visitor centre.
McDonnell steps down from Patrón
The announcement yesterday of the appointment of Dave Wilson’s as Patrón Spirits’ new president of international operations and global COO, follows the surprise decision by John McDonnell to step down.
Janneau to double capacity
Armagnac house Janneau has decided to double its capacity to distil in-house.
Scotch exhibition opens in Glasgow
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) exhibition, Scotch Whisky: From Grain to Glass, has opened in the Glasgow.
Patrón Spirits has announced that Dave Wilson is its president of its new international operations and global COO, effective June 10.
Dron leaves William Grant
William Grant & Sons has announced that Gordon Dron, its managing director for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) has decided to leave the company.
Rusty nails Bols Around the World
Rusty Cerven, of the UK’s Connaught Bar, won the seventh annual Bols Around the World competition, beating 11 other finalists in a hard-fought competition at Amsterdam’s Escape nightclub.
New Indian whiskies
Two single malt Indian whiskies were unveiled in London last night (May 14).
Campari posts poor results in first quarter
Davide Campari-Milano SpA has posted poor results in first quarter ending March 31, 2013 which it states is mainly due to the ‘one-off’ destocking in Italy.
I became an honorary Gin Rectifier last night (May 9). I took an oath and now I am duty bound to promote the best interests of gin.
Bacardi unveils Glen Deveron
Bacardi Global Travel Retail (BGTR) has launched a Highland single malt Scotch whisky collection exclusive to travel retailers, World Duty Free.
Gin is extremely uninteresting
The global Gin sector is low price, low growth and extremely uninteresting, according to a top City of London analyst.
Diageo reports 5% growth
Diageo, has reported 5% organic and 6% reported net sales growth for the nine months to 31 March 31. Volume was up 1%.
European spirits exports smash €10bn
European spirits exports were worth €10.2 billion in 2012 - 20% up from €8.5 billion in the previous year.
New limited edition Beefeater gin
Pernod Ricard Chivas Brothers has released a new limited edition expression of Beefeater, the world’s best-selling premium gin.
Diageo launches coffee flavoured Smirnoff
Diageo has unveiled a Smirnoff variant, Espresso Smirnoff.
Diageo announces global supply operations review
Diageo has announced that its global supply and procurement operation will be refocused to improve supplying its 21 key markets.
Absolut goes denim with Cronk
Pernod Ricard has launched Absolut Denim, the latest version of the Swedish vodka brand.
Gruppo Campari reports profits of €156.7m
The board of Davide Campari-Milano SpA, has reported group net profit of €156.7 million in its consolidated financial results for the year ended December 31, 2012. Sales were up 5.2% to €1,340.8m
Johnnie Walker's The Gold Route launches
Diageo has released the second blend in the Johnnie Walker Explorers' Club range, which is a duty free exclusive.
WSTA warning over new EU rules for made-wine products
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned that changes to customs classifications at EU level could lead to an increase in excise duty and VAT for some made-wine* products in the UK.
Bowmore launches whisky and water programme
Bowmore the single malt Scotch whisky from Islay, has launched The Bowmore Water Program.
Glenmorangie unveils Cask Masters
Glenmorangie has announced the launch of a whisky programme, which will involve its followers in the selection of a new limited edition whisky.
Cognac Camus celebrates 150th anniversary
The House of Camus, which claims to be the last major, independent and family-owned Cognac house, celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.
Two new WSET trustees
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has announced two new trustees - Mentzendorff managing director Andrew Hawes and Jonathan Driver who, after leaving Diageo in 2006, has become a global consultant.
Highland Park unveils its Warriors
Highland Park last night (February 22) unveiled The Warrior Series, which will comprise a range of six single malt whiskies.
Campari takes over US Appleton rum distribution
Davide Campari-Milano SpA has announced that it is taking over the distribution and marketing of its recently acquired Appleton rum brands from Kobrand from March 1.
Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 5 award
William Grant’s Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 5 has been voted the ‘Speyside Single Malt of the Year’.
New limited edition 1977 Jura whisky
Whyte & Mackay’s Jura distillery has added a new, limited-edition vintage expression – the 1977.
New Macallan Lalique Oscuro for Asia
The Macallan and the French crystal brand, Lalique have launched a a new presentation for The Macallan which is exclusive to a select number of duty free and travel retail outlets in Asia.
Discus review of US spirits industry
The Distilled Spirits Council (Discus), which represents the spirits industry in the US, revealed its 2012 findings in New York this week.
Irish Distillers announces Crockett retirement
Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard has announced the retirement of Jameson Irish Whiskey master distiller Barry Crockett.
Casa Sauza XA is given new look
Beam’s ultra-premium positioned limited edition tequila, Casa Sauza XA, has a new look.
WSTA asks the UK Government for help
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) meets with Economic Secretary to the Treasury today (February 5), ahead of the Budget in March.
Stoli Hot and Sticki enter Brazilian TR
SPI has announced that its Stolichnaya flavoured variants, Stoli Hot and Stoli Sticki have been listed by Dufry Do Brazil, the largest travel retail distributor in Latin America.
Vintage Hine Cognacs to auction at Bonhams
A bottle of Hine Grande Champagne Cognac from 1952, to commemorate the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II, is among several lots of Cognac to feature in auctioneers Bonhams’ sale on February 14 in London.
Diageo to expand its archive
Diageo has announced plans to invest £1.5 million in expanding the its global brand archive.
Diageo announces interim results
Diageo, the world’s largest premium alcoholic drinks company, has announced its interim results for the six months ended December 31, 2012
Little is Funkin’s new sales director
Funkin has appointed Simon Little, formerly of Diageo, Percy Fox, SABMiller, Greene King and Gaymers, as its new sales director.
SPI makes Esposito its North America president
SPI Group, owner of the Stolichnaya Russian vodka brand, has made John Esposito president of its US operations.
Diageo fires new Bulleit
Diageo has launched a 10 year old expression of Bulleit Bourbon in the US.
Pre-mixed drinks
Consumers are starting to really embrace the convenience of a pre-mixed drink in a portable format. Hamish Smith reports
CDA challenges labelling on new spirits drink
The Craft Distillers Alliance has criticised a brewery in East Anglia for breaking the rules governing the production of whisky after it launched a new spirits product made with one of its beers.
SWA welcomes Latin American free trade deals
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced two trade agreements with Colombia and Peru and its Association Agreement with Central America.
Glenfarclas has new distillery manager
J&G Grant has announced the appointment of Callum Fraser as the new production manager at the Glenfarclas Distillery.
Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select in Vegas Airport
Jack Daniel’s has launched its first installation of Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select’s 'The Sinatra Experience' in Las Vegas airport.