As artisanal brands invade the on-trade space traditionally occupied by big names, opportunities to premiumise are opening up in the category. By Shay Waterworth

From surviving guerilla warfare to improving rights for Guatemalan women, Shay Waterworth hears the remarkable story of Ron Zacapa’s master blender, Lorena Vásquez

Anthony Biles (pictured), creative director of branding and design consultancy at Biles Hendry gives his insight into how brands can use true stories to stand out from the crowd in today’s saturated market.

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

Long in the shadow of tequila, mezcal is finally finding its place in the spotlight. Clinton Cawood reports

Bitters add depth, flavour and spice to cocktails, says Phil Duff, so it’s no wonder so many new versions have started to appear on back bars

New Zealand’s Marlborough seems to have it all. Jamie Goode charts the rise and rise of one of sauvignon blanc’s great regions

Rowena Curlewis, CEO of Denomination, a drinks specialist design company gives her thoughts on the values that a royal warrant can give a brand and how these brands are likely to change with the next generation of royals.

Shay Waterworth gives a snapshot of the International Spirits Challenge whisky judging event ahead of three pages revealing the gold medal winners for 2018

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

Angel Brown caught up with Havana Club global brand ambassador Meimi Sanchez in Cuba at the Havana Club Cocktail Grand Prix 2018.

Armagnac claims to be France’s oldest spirit but its soul is as much in wine and the terroir as it is in any alembic still. Christian Davis visits

Mark de Witte, ceo of De Kuyper,has transformed the sleepy dutch distiller into a force to be reckoned with in the labyrinthian, mixed, infused world of cocktails. Christian Davis goes to Rotterdam

Gin has some way to go to rival vodka in terms of size in travel retail, but its rise in recent years has been remarkable, writes Joe Bates

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

Ireland’s triple distilled whiskey continues to forge ahead. Christian Davis reports.

Shay Waterworth meets purity brewing’s Florent Vialan to talk rugby, cycling – and a bit of brewing for sport.

Australian wine has certainly had its ups and downs in recent years, but Jamie Goode finds cause to believe it’s now truly back on track.

Steeped in history, the bitters category is also steeped in confusion for many consumers – but history and authenticity are on its side. Angel Brown reports

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

The summer festival season is fast approaching in the northern hemishpere and Zoe Brown, head of account management at BD Network gives her insights on what brands are doing to promote different drinks.

Cava has been stuck between a rock and a hard place, namely champagne and prosecco. but there is a new classification and producers want to float up on consumers’ love for bubbles. Christian Davis fizzes

With cocktails increasingly involving scientific geekery, how do bars keep consumers interested in technical drinks? Shay Waterworth polls the lab pioneers

Shay Waterworth meets Purity Brewing's Florent Vialan to talk rugby, cycling - and a bit of brewing for sport.

Shay Waterworth reveals the names on everyone’s lips following last month’s annual Wine Design Challenge.

The annual awards are a highlight of the year for any company which invests in creating a visitor experience. Christian Davis reports.

Big-name suppliers have every reason to feel happy as Chinese New Year approaches. Shay Waterworth outlines exactly how much this festival means

Liqueurs have hardly been the heroes of the drinks scene of late, but changing trends could see that turning around. Angel Brown reports

Genever has been out of the mainstream loop for so long that gin has stepped in on the classic cocktails. But Hamish Smith finds grounds for optimism

Mount Gay master blender Allen Smith is a history buff whose own ancestorial history is hidden from him. He talks to Hamish Smith about his love for the past and how he came to rum

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International magazine February edition

Drinks International ‘newbie’ Shay Waterworth recounts his experience of undertaking the WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits.

Low and no-alcohol wines were once horrible parodies of the real thing. not any more, writes Jamie Goode.

Drinks International’s annual Pre-Mixed Drinks Challenge reflected the fast pace at which this sector is growing. Shay Waterworth reports.

Finally getting its own craft segment, vodka is taking cues from wine and championing the terroir of its base as a flavour provider. Shay Waterworth grows the theory.

Indian whisky producers are becoming increasingly confident as drinkers recognise the spirits for their quality. now, says Dominic Roskrow, they’re set to take the next step up.

South African drinks company Distell has always seemed a bit of a sleeping giant. Christian Davis meets Fraser Thornton, the man tasked with changing that, certainly in Europe.

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International magazine January edition

Here is the pick of the launches from last month, as featured in Drinks International magazine December edition

Christian Davis meets Martin Riley, an experienced marketer who has overseen some of the most significant spirits renaissances, including those of Jameson and Chivas Regal

Despite being in the grip of drought, South Africa’s wineries are continuing to create excitement with innovation, diversity and tourism. by Christian Davis

Kathy Chin Leong heads to Napa to discover how millennials are interacting with wine and how wineries are capitalising on their behaviour

A shortage of the plant that’s behind all tequila means the 100% agave sector faces price and quality challenges. Shay Waterworth reports

As consumers become increasingly hooked on product provenance, premium mixers are tapping into the trend. By Tracy West

Zoe Brown, head of account management at BD Network explores how drinks brands are extending summer momentum through to winter as we head towards the festive season.

There are trends pushing the popularity of 100% agave tequilas in Europe – but at what cost to the supply of agave? And does an agave-rich tequila guarantee quality or are consumers overpaying for marketing?

Ben Branson, the creator of non-alcoholic spirit seedlip talks to Hamish Smith about nature, nurture and the lure of home

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

Despite worldwide challenges, it’s been an upbeat time for champagne in duty free, reports Giles Fallowfield

Angel Brown caught up with Italian Icons MD at Gruppo Campari, Andrea Neri in the Armida Rowing Club, Turin.