In 2006, Joanne Moore became the first female master distiller at G&J distillers and is one of the first women gin master distillers in the world. Christian Davis distils her story

Drinks International’s annual picks from 2016 of intriguing, exciting, fun and fantastic products and events

The Awards judging took place at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s london headquarters in December. Christian Davis reports

One of the world’s great fortified wines, port is facing a number of challenges. Christian Davis reports

When an aquavit was awarded the Supreme Champion Spirit by the International Spirits Challenge’s judges’ chairmen, many sat up and took notice. Christian Davis travels to Oslo to visit the home of aquavit

First it was rugby then he discovered he had a great palate. he converted. Christian Davis touches down with flamboyant winemaker Olivier Dauga

The 23rd Cocktail Challenge from Drinks International took place last month, making it one of the longest uninterrupted global cocktail competitions in the world

A new generation of consumers is discovering styles their grandparents probably never knew. Holly Motion reports

South Africa paints an experimental picture with its wines and, according to Tim Atkin MW, is the most dynamic wine-producing country in the world. Christian Davis report

Mixers are as important as the spirit when it comes to making a drink, and there are plenty of reasons to get consumers to trade up, says Tracy West

The Mexican spirit is shaking off its shot reputation in the US and being taken seriously in the premium stakes, Jaq Bayles reports

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine November edition.

Wine Vision, the conference about the future of the wine industry, takes place from December 5-7 in California. Christian Davis reports

Not many wine brand owners have official status at international events. The Bordeaux brand Mouton Cadet is an exception. Christian Davis talks to Baron Philippe De Rothschild managing director Hugues Lechanoine

The traditionally calm and tranquil world of blended scotch whisky is suddenly looking surprisingly spritely. Dominic Roskrow finds out why

Champagne could do better in travel retail, says Giles Fallowfield, and producers are actively trying to up their game

Ed Cottrell, new managing director for global travel retail at William Grant & Sons, is convinced of the need to constantly renew the company’s product portfolio, the former soldier talks to Joe Bates

Joe Bates details the shortlisted contenders for this year’s Travel Retail Challenge, winners to be announced in Cannes on October 4

Bob Nolet might have been born into the family business, but that didn’t stop him working his way up from the bottom. Hamish Smith meets the man

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine October edition.

Adult soft drinks have come a long way and now offer a viable, sophisticated alternative to their alcoholic counterparts. Tracy West reports

It’s been all about the Malbec in Argentina for quite some time, but now winemakers are backing blends as the way forward. Christian Davis reports

From sealing to feeling… and sparkling all over. Sally Easton MW reports on the latest in closure innovation

Cider’s pulling in punters with its vast array of flavour variants. Tracy West looks at how various brands are capitalising on consumers’ love of fruit

While some brand owners are starting to list nutritional information on labels, cream liqueurs are not so far among them. Holly Motion looks at why

Brandy de jerez has failed to travel well in the past, but Lily Giménez finds new attractions could be bringing in the imbibers

Once Scotland’s youngest master blender, Richard Paterson is the ultimate educator when it comes to scotch. Christian Davis gets to the heart of the man

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine September edition.

A pictorial tribute to all the individuals and teams who took away trophies on the night

The wines of the Middle East have been characterised by Château Musar for many years. But new techniques mean change is in the air, says Michael Karam

Given the nature and spread of cocktail bars, it’s tough to pinpoint global trends. but Hamish Smith gets some insights from the experts

Irish whiskey is on a roll, reports Christian Davis, with increasing numbers of consumers discovering its charms worldwide

Strega is an old brand with traditional values at its heart – and that’s how Antonio Savarese intends it to stay, finds Hamish Smith

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine August edition.

The key to increasing armagnac sales is to educate both the trade and consumers, producers tell Henry Jeffreys

From being a stigmatised and marginalised group, the LGBT community is now sought after by all manner of marketers – not least in the alcohol industry. Holly Motion reports

Holly Motion reports on the ISC Brandy & Cognac, Rum, Pisco, Armagnac & Calvados and design and packaging awards.

Jeff Evans looks at how brewers are enjoying the new freedom of the craft movement to experiment with all manner of ingredients

Spain’s best known premium wine-producing region has been rocked by a small but influential boutique producer leaving the designation of origin. Christian Davis reports

Shochu, the spirit of Japan, is wonderfully versatile, according to Elliot Faber – and it won’t be long before we all know more about it

Rum may enjoy a reputation as the fun-lover’s drink, but it’s at the mercy of those who are giving it a bad name. quality is now paramount, reports Holly Motion

Indian whisky has had its ups and downs over the years, but distillers’ talk of a quality revolution suggests it’s back in the ascendant. Dominic Roskrow reports

There is nothing duty free about being founder and president of the Tax Free World Association. Christian Davis meets Erik Juul-Mortensen

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International Magazine July edition.

Holly Motion finds Pernod Ricard’s Charles-Armand de Belenet in high spirits about the long-term future for cognac in China

While Rioja continues to steal the limelight for Spanish wines, two other established regions are pushing for greater airtime, reports Charlotte Hey

Chile is focusing on its image and product quality, particularly from new places and with new blends. Christian Davis reports

Sambuca’s failure to premiumise with any kind of fanfare has left it losing out to tequila. holly motion looks at how the italian spirit can fan the flames of success

Kentucky’s bourbon industry has undergone its most intensive period in decades. But, as Dominic Roskrow reports, it’s emerging from the upheaval in fine shape

Gautom Menon is the man behind Wild Tiger Rum. Hamish Smith finds out how he earned his stripes