Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Gordon's gin switches up bottle for first time in decades

Published: 25 August, 2016

Gordon's gin has revealed a fresh new look for the first time in decades.

Boutique RumFest and RumFest unveil programme for October events

Published: 24 August, 2016

RumFest, which celebrates its tenth year this year, and the Boutique RemFest, which is a trade only event, will be hosted in London at the end of October.

The Epicurean event signs three drink ambassadors

Published: 22 August, 2016

From the same team behind the London Wine Fair, The Epicurean, the first direct to consumer event for the group, has appointed three drinks ambassadors as part of the larger event set to be hosted at the end of October.

The rise of rum Part 3: Shedding the "pirates and parties" image

Published: 19 August, 2016

While rum is making gains in the bar and club scene providing appealing highs for party-loving millennials, its image as a hip party drink needs to be balanced with its credibility as a quality spirit if it wants to surpass expectations.

Cocktail craze responsible for soaring sales of gin at Waitrose

Published: 19 August, 2016

Sales of gin at Waitrose are up 17% on last year thanks to a new wave of millennials discovering gin-based cocktails.

Kyoto Distillery granted production licence to produce Japan's first gin

Published: 19 August, 2016

Japan's first artisan gin producer, The Kyoto Distillery, has been granted a production licence, to begin producing its inaugural release KI NO BI Dry Gin.

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

Published: 19 August, 2016

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.

The Rise of Rum Part 2: Reaching a new generation

Published: 17 August, 2016

In an increasingly tough economic landscape, some have speculated that rum's rise in popularity could be down to something as simple as its ability to give consumers a taste profile allied to its appealing sugar cane origins

Persie Distillery opens its doors to craft gin tourism

Published: 17 August, 2016

A new tourist attraction for artisanal gin lovers is hoping to put Scotland on the gin map.

Insights: The rise of rum

Published: 17 August, 2016

Spiced rums and quality sipping products are driving the thirst for a taste of the Caribbean.

The Rise of Rum Part 1: Spice is king

Published: 16 August, 2016

Today is National Rum Day, so what could be better than to bring the first installment of our three part Rise of Rum series which looks in depth at this growing category.

SMWS creates test to match personality with whisky preferences

Published: 12 August, 2016

Scottish psychologist Dr Adam Moore and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) are trying to find out if there is a way to predict the perfect whisky flavour for someone with a new psychometic test.

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

Published: 12 August, 2016

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.

New venue for agave extravaganza

Published: 11 August, 2016

Tequila & Mezcal Fest, the UK's only festival dedicated to Mexico's most successful alcoholic exports, has found a new home.

Stock Spirits hails turnaround and appoints permanent CEO

Published: 11 August, 2016

European spirits distiller Stocks Spirits has posted positive half-yearly results and appointed a new CEO after a "difficult" 2015.

WSTA to support British Distillers Alliance through Brexit

Published: 10 August, 2016

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has pledged to advise, support and protect smaller producers through the current period of economic and political uncertainty.

Gin to star in its first full-length feature film

Published: 09 August, 2016

Gin has become the runaway star of the spirits industry in recent times - and it now starring in its own movie.

New HMRC spirit production guidelines drafted to help improve business licensing

Published: 08 August, 2016

New guidelines are being drafted by the HMRC to help distillers looking to apply to become a licensed spirit producers in the UK easier.

DrinkSupermarket teams up with Debenhams for gifting service

Published: 08 August, 2016

Online retailer DrinkSupermarket will be supplying beers, wines and spirits to a leading UK department store as part of a premium gifting service.

Lord Maude to speak on new trading arrangements post-Brexit at WSTA conference

Published: 04 August, 2016

The former Minister for Trade and Minister for Europe, Lord Francis Maude, will be the keynote speaker at this year's WSTA Annual Conference, which will take 'Brexit and the changing shape of the industry' as its theme.