The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Edrington Group profits and turnover rise due to whisky boom

The Edrington Group, the Scottish maker of The Macallan, Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark, and Highland Park whiskies, saw profits rise by 3% and turnover hit £730.4 million for fiscal year 2014 which ended on March 31.

London distillery Sipsmith launches Sipping Vodka

Traditional London distillery Sipsmith has launched Sipping Vodka, made from English wheat.

Stock Spirits trading in line with expectations for Q1

Central and Eastern European spirits producer Stock Spirits says it is trading in line with expectations for the first quarter of 2014.

Russia's Legend of Kremlin vodka denies Ukraine tensions disrupted UK supply

Legend of Kremlin vodka has denied that tensions in Ukraine have disrupted its UK supply, saying instead it had a commercial disagreement with its distributor.

Emporia halts imports of Russian Legend of Kremlin vodka as Ukraine tensions escalate

Drinks distributor Emporia Brands has called a halt to imports of the Russian Parliament's official vodka Legend of Kremlin as the dispute between the European Union and Russian Federation continues.

US approval of powdered alcohol in doubt

Approvals for sale of powdered alcohol in the US were issued in error, a federal representative has stated.

Gun-shaped vodka bottle breaks marketing rules

Red Army Vodka, packaged in a gun-shaped bottle, has been ruled "entirely inappropriate" for suggesting a link towards violent and dangerous behaviour.

Loch Lomond Distillery Company acquired by private equity

CÎROC peach vodka gets UK launch

The super-premium C&IcircROC vodka, part of Diageo's Reserve Brands, is launching a peach flavoured expression.

One in four Russian men die by 55 due to alcohol

A collaborative study between Russia, Oxford University and the World Health Organisation found that 25% of all Russian men die before the age of 55 primarily due to over consumption of alcohol, particularly vodka.

UK remains sixth biggest wine drinking country in world despite falling sales says Vinexpo

The UK remains the sixth biggest wine consuming country in the world despite another year of falling wine sales, according to the latest figures released by Vinexpo, but there are signs drinking levels could be on the up again from 2015.

Q&A on luxury vodka CÎROC's growth and plans for UK

Luxury vodka C&IcircROC's master distiller, Jean-Sebastien Robicquet and head of Diageo Reserve Brands GB, Nick Temperley, talk to Harpers about creating the brand and its opportunities in the UK market.

Over 77,000 fake Smirnoff Vodka bottles to be destroyed

Singapore Customs has handed over 77,850 counterfeit Smirnoff vodka bottles to brand owner, Diageo. The authorities first discovered the shipment in June 2013 and have only now released them to be destroyed. 

British drinks producers back London Collections:Men

Absolut Vodka releases friend finding app

Tired of losing your friends at the bar?  There is an app for that. Absolut, the iconic Pernod Ricard vodka brand, released the Buddy Check app in November on iTunes and will be releasing an Android application on Google Play in early 2014.

Irish on and off-trade warned to look out for fake Smirnoff bottles

Bar and off-licence owners in Ireland have been urged to check Smirnoff vodka bottles following the seizure of a number of fakes. 

Russia to raise minimum price of vodka by up to 30% in 2014

Russia is looking to raise the minimum price of vodka by up to 17% on January 1, 2014 in an effort to reduce consumption levels. With further rises planned throughout the year.

Gallo looks to grow UK spirits business with launch of New Amsterdam Vodka

Californian wine producer, E&J Gallo, is strengthening its UK spirits portfolio with the launch of New Amsterdam Vodka that has enjoyed considerable success in the US since its launch in 2011.

Russian Standard Vodka launches multi-million pound TV campaign

Russian Standard is planning to accelerate its UK growth with the launch of its "milestone" multi-million pound TV and cinema adverts.