Shay Waterworth talks to brothers Bernard and Richard d’Offay about their Takamaka rum brand as it hits the ripe age of 20.

When Stephen Davies arrived at Penderyn in 2004, the Welsh whisky industry had lain dormant for almost a century. Nowadays it’s an established category with a growing reputation for quality.

Beam Suntory marked Earth Day 2021 by announcing a $1bn investment in making the business more sustainable. Bacardi took the opportunity to introduce fully biodegradable plant polymer bottles, while Carlsberg announced that it would invest in restoring coastal biodiversity.

California is the latest major wine-producing region to struggle with Mother Nature after a drought emergency gripped the Golden State.

Diageo shareholders were toasting chief executive Ivan Menezes after he said they can expect to receive billions of pounds in share buybacks or special dividends. The Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker and Guinness producer announced that organic profit should grow by at least 14% in the year to 30 June.

While the pandemic has been felt universally, the unevenness of lockdown restrictions has lent wildly different experiences to bar owners and cocktail drinkers around the globe.

The global economy is now expected to grow by 6% this year after developed nations ramped up the Covid-19 vaccination drive, according to the International Monetary Fund.

“There aren’t many 70 year olds that get PhDs,” says Dr Jack Ó’Sé, one of the most understated members of the Irish whiskey industry.

Pisco has seen its share of damage throughout the pandemic, with both Peru and Chile taking a hit on harvests and exports. But there is light ahead, as Shay Waterworth reports.

A synchronised sigh of relief was heard right across the Armagnac region last year as the news broke of Donald Trump’s defeat in the US election.

Like other categories, mixers have had to look at the way they operate. Oli Dodd reports on recent trends and what’s in store ahead.

While New Zealand has managed the pandemic better than most, a lack of tourism and difficulties with shipping have taken a toll on wine sales. Martin Green reports.

Plans to protect the reputation of Japanese whisky have been unveiled, but do they go far enough? Shay Waterworth looks at the implications.

A U-turn on regulations for mezcal has left producers confused about quality control. Shay Waterworth reports.

Silent Pool distillery manager Tom Hutchings was handed the Rising Star award at the International Spirits Challenge 2020 after impressing an esteemed panel of voters.

A luxury online wine retailer has enjoyed a surge in demand after the value of Bitcoin increased by around 1,000%.

Ecommerce has broken into markets that barely knew it existed pre-pandemic - and forcasts for the alcohholic drinks sector are very positive. Martin Green reports.

Surging sales in the US and Canada will drive the global drinks industry to a better than expected performance in 2020, according to new IWSR forecasts.

Throughout the 18th and 19th century barrels of cognac were shipped across the world on huge sailing boats for months at a time to reach all corners of the Earth.

The case for Irish whiskey being the most exciting whiskey category globally gets stronger every year - and it is by no accident, says GreatDrams founder Greg Dillon.

The global alcoholic drinks industry will take at least four years to return to the level of volume sales seen before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to IWSR.

Language has immense power. It can start wars and broker peace; it can convey truth and espouse lies; it can lead to both understanding and misunderstanding. For rum, semantics is a particularly sore subject.

Mezcal is still in its infancy with consumers, so is it a good time to move to flavoured version, asks Shay Waterworth.

Following the recent International Women’s Day celebrations, one of the topics that has been highlighted is the neglect of women in the craft beer industry.

Irish whiskey is one of the most talked about spirits categories in the world – with a history dating back to the 12th century it is one of the oldest too.

Bailey Pryor, founder of The Real McCoy Rum which is produced at Foursquare Distillery in Barbados, has voiced concerns over opposition to Barbadian rum Geographic Indication proposals.

Vinexpo’s first event in the French capital is already causing a stir as visitors and exhibitors count down the days, Christian Davis reports

Champagne has been going through a period of fundamental change over the past couple of years.

Design has a big impact on what people chose to drink and Rowena Curlewis, CEO of drinks design specialist Denomination, discusses the key factors which brands must consider in order to appeal to a wider range of consumers.

Angel Brown caught up with co-creator of the Smoky Signature Mixer, Max Venning. 

In May this year The Coca-Cola Company launched a range of mixers for Europe – Coca-Cola Signature Mixers, created by five leading bartenders and specifically designed to be mixed with dark spirits. 

It’s time drinks producers woke up to the benefits of good packaging design, says Philip Duff

It must be a bit of blow for Moët-Hennessy to lose their highest profile head winemaker, Dominique Demarville so soon after the retirement of the experienced Richard Geoffroy at Dom Pérignon.

John Downe MW on how the non-drinking generations are shaping a lower-alcohol industry

There’s a huge trend in the drinks world right now: people are drinking less - and brands are investing and innovating to serve this market, Dan Hooper, co-founder at YesMore explores.

When you get an invitation to be part of the “first ever whisky tasting in a decommissioned nuclear reactor, under the city of Stockholm”, it does make you sit up and take notice.

Drinks brands looking to broaden consumer appeal and user occasions should look to other categories - Denomination's Margaret Nolan.

The Balvenie recently launched its new range of single malts called Stories, Ian Buxton explores the latest expressions.

When cocktail royalty such as Alex Kratena and Monica Berg start adopting a particular serve approach, chances are it’s going to be big. Shay waterworth reports

Pre-mixed cocktails are rapidly shucking off the stigma that linked them with the sugary confections of yesteryear. Angel Brown reports

I had 720 bottles I had to sell in order to pay my rent, which was due in three weeks. I didn’t have another job so I just had to get out there and start knocking on doors.”

China’s love of a fiery grain liquor made Kweichow Moutai Co the world’s most valuable alcohol distiller, and the company’s approach has been to milk that demand for all its worth.

There’s more to liqueurs than meets the eye. Philip Duff ventures into a world beyond cocktails for these sugary – and not so sugary – drinks.

As the chinese new year begins, Shay Waterworth assesses the state of a spirits market that’s opening up to western companies

Denny Potter gives Shay Waterworth the lowdown on how he finally got his dream job as master distiller at Maker’s Mark

Philip Duff considers the difficulties of funding a new business in the world of hospitality

The 2018 grape harvest in germany will go down in history as a truly outstanding vintage. Christian davis reports amid the euphoria

Cava has suffered with a perception problem in the shadow of champagne and prosecco, but that could be about to change, finds Chris Wilson

Reporting from the World Bulk Wine Exhibition, Shay Waterworth found an innovative and informative global community

Aperitivo bitters have seen a surge in popularity in recent years. Philip Duff examines the factors that have led to this rejuvenation