Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Five minutes with Angus Lugsdin, Salcombe Distilling Co

Published: 01 October, 2024

The head of Salcombe Distilling Co reveals the origins of an innovative new barrel-ageing project, by Jo Gilbert.

Padstow Distilling joins forces with Thorman Hunt

Published: 03 April, 2024

Young Cornish distillery Padstow Distilling has appointed Thorman Hunt as its sole UK distributor, in a move which will see its range distributed nationwide.

Nick Gillett: Predicting the big Christmas spirits trends

Published: 16 October, 2023

When it comes to this point of the year, customers start turning their thoughts towards Christmas. I know we say this every year, but Christmas 2023 really is going to be one of the most important festive seasons of the last ten years. While a great season won’t solve the various problems put upon the industry by government (duty hikes, rail strikes, and soaring energy costs, to name but a few) it’ll certainly go some way to protecting against the inevitable quiet months in early 2024.

Berry Bros. & Rudd acquires interest in The Cotswolds Distillery

Published: 05 April, 2023

Britain’s oldest wine & spirits merchant has purchased a minority stake in The Cotswolds Distillery, a producer of super-premium spirits based in Stourton, Warwickshire. As a result of the investment, Emma Fox, CEO of Berry Bros. & Rudd, will join the board this year.

Gin exports bounce back, but Brexit and Covid ‘double whammy’ leaves EU trailing

Published: 27 February, 2023

UK gin exports returned to growth in 2022, with South America and Asia leading the upturn, although EU sales, including to leading market Spain, remained significantly lower.

Hoxton Spirits beefs up its range

Published: 08 February, 2023

Hoxton Spirits, the artisan brand founded by Gerry Calabrese, has launched three new labels: Hoxton London Spritz, Hoxton Spiced Whisky and a classic London Dry gin.

Five minutes with Giles Fuchs, Gunner Cocktails

Published: 12 January, 2023

Jo Gilbert catches up with the owner of Agatha Christie’s favourite hotel on Burgh Island, about his gin and Gunner revolution.

Five minutes with Hamilton Lowe, Carmosina Holdings & Vitoria Regia gin

Published: 08 November, 2022

Andrew Catchpole catches up with Hamilton Lowe, co-founder of Carmosina Holdings, which launched the globe’s number one cachaça, to discover more about his new Brazilian range of gins.

50 Best Indies gears up for 2023 list

Published: 03 November, 2022

Harpers popular 50 Best Indies listing is delighted to confirm that Walker & Wodehouse will be joining Cambridge Distillery as a sponsor for its forthcoming 2023 edition.

On-trade favours major gin brands over small-batch

Published: 12 August, 2022

According to market research by Shepper, the UK’s on-trade and hospitality outlets prefer to serve leading gin and tonic brands as their house products instead of supporting local and small-batch counterparts.

Gin and still wine lose momentum in post pandemic new normal

Published: 04 April, 2022

After enjoying a period of meteoric growth, the UK's favourite white spirit has hit a stumbling block, with a drop in hospitality market share in 2021.

UK gin exports stymied by Brexit and Covid-19

Published: 15 February, 2022

Exports of British gin have fallen for the second year running, according to the latest HMRC figures released yesterday.

Tequila raises the bar

Published: 31 January, 2022

Once known by its ‘slammer’ reputation, tequila is carving out a new niche in UK spirits with optimistic sales as a premium sipping drink, writes Jo Gilbert.

Packaging’s conflicting objectives

Published: 14 January, 2022

After 18 months of escalating online demand and consumers being immersed in “online shopping training”, the packaging industry is being tasked with satisfying supercharged convenience, sustainability and luxury trends, which , finds Jo Gilbert, is quite the challenge.

"Landmark" UK/Australia trade deal finalised

Published: 17 December, 2021

The UK and Australia have reached an historic agreement on trade, in a move that has been welcomed by the WSTA.

Domaine de Tourelles kickstarts Lebanon's gin sector

Published: 18 November, 2021

Lebanon’s oldest commercial winery is branching out from wine and launching its first gin product - believed to be the first Lebanese gin available in the UK.

The London Gin Club bounces back

Published: 21 October, 2021

The London Gin Club

SME distillers call for duty freeze to prevent the British gin bubble from bursting

Published: 12 October, 2021

Britain’s gin makers are calling on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to freeze spirit duty and extend hospitality’s VAT cut to alcoholic drinks to help boost British business.

Ramsay moves into spirits with gin range

Published: 28 July, 2021

Gordon Ramsay has joined forces with Eden Mill to launch a gin range, marking the Michelin chef’s first step into the UK spirits market.

Trade welcomes Oz-UK announcement of FTA

Published: 15 June, 2021

The reality of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Australia and the UK has moved a step closer with the prime ministers of both countries confirming on Monday that a deal will be done, though with much detail still to be thrashed out.