This month sees the launch of the Drinks International Challenge Series, a vibrant mix of seven competitions that celebrate innovation and excellence in the global drinks industry.

Drinks International will publish its first regional spin-off of the World’s 50 Best Bars, with the launch of Asia’s 50 Best Bars.

Diageo will invest £10m in Danish whisky brand Stauning through its Distill Ventures programme. 

William Grant & Sons has announced plans to increase the capacity of its Glenfiddich distillery in Speyside, Scotland.

Beam Suntory has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Jerez-based brandy and sherry business to Emperador inc.  

Some young people are drinking to help them cope with problems, according to latest Drinkaware research. 

Distell Group looks set to boost its US profile after signing a major deal with Terlato Wine Group. 

Cognac Renault has launched Carte Noire Extra Old Limited Edition to mark its 180^th anniversary this year.

The Glenrothes unveiled the fourth release in its Extraordinary Cask Series, Glenrothes 1969 Extraordinary Cask #11483, at the inaugural Vintage Vinyl Sessions last night.

The Loire-based Bouvet Ladubay has announced that the Monmousseau family has re-acquired ownership of the company from United Spirits.

Smaller Irish whiskey brands may face demise due to a lack of supply of mature whiskey, according to a recent report. 

London Beer Week will return for a second year, following a successful debut this year. 

United Spirits has appointed Sanjeev Churiwala as its chief financial officer. 

Number One Drinks Company Japan has unveiled plans to build "Japan's first" artisan gin distillery.

Diageo has outlined its Scotch category growth strategy at its investor conference in New York.

Brewer SABMiller has reported good underlying sales for the second quarter, a day after AB InBev agreed a £17bn merger. 

Port house Sandeman has announced the release of a six-bottle collection to celebrate its 225-year history.

Gruppo Campari has reported positive growth of 7.9% as group sales totalled €1,144.7 million in the first nine months of 2015. 

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits has recorded a third quarter of contrasts, with improvements in France but penalisation in the US and Poland. 

Anheuser-Busch InBev has agreed the terms of its £71bn takeover of SABMiller.

Beam Suntory has added Peppermint Bark and Pumpkin Pie to its Pinnacle vodka flavour range for the festive period. 

Beam Suntory sales increased 36% in the first nine months of the year, benefitting from “strong performance” in North America and Japan.

Stock Spirits has announced the appointment of Miroslaw Stachowicz as an independent non-executive director. 

Stoli Group has announced the appointment of two new distributors in a bid to bring a renewed approach to the Central Europe market. 

Heineken has announced the appointment of Cindy Tervoort to the role of UK marketing director, following Jacco van der Linden’s promotion to managing director of Heineken’s operating company in China.

Diageo has agreed the sale of its wine interests in Argentina to Grupo Peñaflor.

Preciosa, the Bohemian glass wine closure brand owner, has completed an agreement with Vinventions for the distribution of Vinolok and Vinoseal.

Diageo’s United Spirits has reported an increase in half-year and second-quarter sales. 

Finest Call and Cellar Trends predict that the cocktail market will account for 10% of all UK spirits sales by 2020. 

SABMiller and Anheuser-Busch InBev have been granted another extension for their takeover talks, with the deadline moving to November 11. 

Drinks International’s Travel Retail Awards were announced on Tuesday 20October at Majestic Barrière in Cannes during the TFWA Global Summit.

The World's 50 Best Bars 2015 awards ceremony took place in London's Christ Church Spitalfields yesterday. 

Psychologists say that about 70% of the effects of an economic crisis in a society can be attributed to, well, psychology. The way you react is not about what actually happens to you, it is about what you think might happen, or, even worse, about getting prepared for the worst. 

Whyte & Mackay has appointed Jonathan Driver as the company’s rare whisky director.

Anheuser-Busch InBev has acknowledged SABMiller's announcement that AB InBev has made an approach to merge the two companies.

Diageo has launched its "largest ever” global marketing campaign for Johnnie Walker.

The South African wine industry has reached a "tipping point", according to Michael Jordan, chairman of Wines of South Africa, speaking at Cape 2015. 

The UK alcohol market has returned to growth following years of continuous decline, according to the latest WSTA market report. 

First minister Nicola Sturgeon will officially open Chivas Brothers’ £25m Dalmunach Distillery on the banks of the River Spey today.

Rob McPherson, former president of Bacardi Canada, has urged Facundo Bacardi not to “let Bacardi go off the cliff”. 

London Wine Week injected more than £50,000 into the capital’s hospitality industry as 8,000 visitors and more than 6,000 wristband wearers embraced London’s ‘thriving wine scene’ last week. 

Stock Spirits Group has warned of an ‘extremely weak’ first quarter in a trading statement released ahead of its annual general meeting today. 

Diageo and DFS Group have opened the latest Johnnie Walker House retail showcase in Singapore Changi Terminal 3.

Majestic Wines has shocked the UK wine trade by buying Rowan Gormley’s Naked Wines and appointing him as CEO of the enlarged Majestic.

Diageo will launch seven products across six brands into the UK on-and off-trade this summer. 

Funkin is expanding its range of single batch syrups with two new flavours, ginger and earl grey. 

Brown-Forman has announced the appointment of veteran employee Marshall Farrer to global travel retail managing director. 

The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced that all spirits duty will be cut by 2% in today’s Budget Statement.

The champagne shipments results released last week were in line with expectation and a cause for satisfaction, Comité Champagne told DI at the Annual Champagne tasting yesterday.

Maxxium UK has announced the appointment of Mark Riley as managing director.