Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Intercontinental Brands permitted to use Vodkat name

Published: 08 February, 2010

InterContinental Brands has been permitted by the High Court to continue using the Vodkat name, despite losing a legal battle against Diageo.

Diageo faces boycott over rum plans

Published: 07 December, 2009

Diageo is facing a boycott of its spirits brands in protest at its future production plans - in Puerto Rico.

Penderyn named one of the best whiskies in the world

Published: 09 October, 2009

Welsh single malt whisky Penderyn, has been named one of the best whiskies in the world.

Maxxium's new £1,800 Cognac

Published: 09 September, 2009

Maxxium UK is launching a new luxury Cognac, L'Essence de Courvoisier, aimed at connoisseurs which retails at £1,800 a bottle.

VK Vodka clinches Threshers and Sainsbury's deals

Published: 28 July, 2009

Ready to drink vodka brand VK Vodka Kick has secured deals with Threshers and Sainsburys to stock four of its flavoured vodkas.

Calabrese joins the Cognac elite

Published: 12 June, 2009

Gerry Calabrese of the Hoxton Pony is among the new members of Courvoisier's elite online professional network site The Future 500.

Vitamin vodka maker on export trail

Published: 03 June, 2009

An American producer of vodkas containing extra vitamins and legal stimulants is planning an assault on export markets after securing investment from a New York private equity firm.

Diageo rum plant construction begins

Published: 07 May, 2009

Diageo has broken the ground on the construction of a state-of-the-art rum distillery in the US Virgin Islands.

Vodka heads past £2 billion

Published: 01 May, 2009

The UK's annual vodka sales are likely to reach the £2 billion mark according to a new Mintel report.

Vodka goes Vanilla with Walders

Published: 27 April, 2009

Liqueur producer Walders is preparing to release a new vodka and vanilla drink for the category.

Cognac producers launch education toolkit

Published: 24 April, 2009

Cognac producers have financed and developed a new training toolkit to help trade professionals improve their understanding of the region and its products.

Vodka-based drink is banned

Published: 16 April, 2009

A vodka-based test-tube drink has been removed from sale across the UK because it encourages irresponsible consumption.

A vodka-based test-tube drink is to be removed from shelves across the UK after its producers were accused by a powerful complaints panel of promoting irresponsible drinking and linking the drink to sexual success among youth.

Altia bags Pernod Cognac

Published: 01 April, 2009

Pernod Ricard has continued its sell-off of brands from the acquisition of Vin & Sprit from the Swedish monopoly, with an agreement to dispose of Gronstedts Cognac to Finnish drinks group Altia.

New rum distillery to open in Barbados

Published: 10 March, 2009

Barbados sees the opening of its first new rum distillery in years. St Nicholas Abbey opens on Cherry Tree Hill in the north of the island at the end of March, the final part in a massive renovation project undertaken by local architect and rum aficionado Larry Warren, who bought the property in 2006.

Tulips beat balloons for Cognac

Published: 22 February, 2009

Experts have agreed that an elegant tulip glass, rather than the tradition brandy balloon, is the best vessel for tasting Cognac.

Hendrix estate wins vodka trademark case

Published: 18 February, 2009

The makers of a vodka named after the rock legend Jimi Hendrix have been ordered by an American judge to withdraw it from sale and pay the musician's estate $3.2 million.

Currencies hit vodka maker's forecasts

Published: 03 February, 2009

Polish vodka producer and spirits importer CEDC has reduced its full year net sales forecasts for 2009 from around US$2 billion to the range of US$1.25 billion to £14 billion.

China boosts Remy Cognac sales

Published: 22 January, 2009

Continued growth in premium categories of Cognac in China helped Remy Cointreau post a 0.9% increase in turnover on its own brands in the nine months to Dec 31.

PLB brings Solera 7 rum to the UK

Published: 24 November, 2008

Solera 7 - the premium solera-aged rum from Matusalem - is now available in the UK for the first time via newly-appointed agent PLB.
Source: Solera 7