Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

John Humphries: a history and tribute to Cassis

Published: 11 January, 2013

For many years I have worked in the wine trade in London. One spring afternoon I returned to our cellar near Borough Market to find that my boss...

Scotch whisky industry more productive than City of London

Published: 02 January, 2013

Scotch whisky is now worth more than £4 billion to the Scottish economy and is more productive than the City of London, according to a report commissioned by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Chase vodka calls for end to 'fake distilleries'

Published: 14 December, 2012

Chase Vodka founder William Chase has accused large and smaller distilleries of passing off mass-produced spirits as...

Captain Morgan celebrates 10 million case landmark

Published: 12 December, 2012

Diageo-owned Captain Morgan has reached a landmark 10 million cases sold, becoming only the sixth premium spirit to sell 10 million cases globally.

Drambuie helps re-open Edinburgh's Tron Kirk

Published: 26 November, 2012

This New Year's Eve, Drambuie will be bringing the traditional Hogmanay celebrations back to its roots, as it...

Bunnahabhain's 40 Year Old find

Published: 21 November, 2012

It must have a nice day for Bunnahabhain's master distiller Ian MacMillan, when he found a selection of 40 Year Old casks hidden away in the distillery's ledgers.

Salvatore Calabrese launches Salvatore's Liquore di Limone

Published: 20 November, 2012

Leading bartender and drinks consultant Salvatore Calabrese has officially launched a lemon liqueur named Salvatore's Liquore di Limone.

Smirnoff vodka gets £7m nightlife boost

Published: 03 October, 2012

Diageo has announced a £7 million marketing boost for its Smirnoff vodka brand.

Scotch whisky exports rise globally but slump in France

Published: 03 October, 2012

Scotch whisky exports increased in value by 12% in the 12 months to the end of June 2012, according to figures published by the Scotch Whisky Association.

Smirnoff launches World's Best Drinks campaign

Published: 01 October, 2012

Smirnoff has launched multimedia campaign World's Best Drinks, in a bid to inspire consumers to experience new tastes across the vodka category.

'Liquid poetry?' - Robert Burns Single Malt

Published: 28 September, 2012

Scotch whisky producer, Isle of Arran Distillers, has just re-launched its Robert Burns Single Malt, a multi-vintage edition.

The Glenrothes introduces the Extraordinary Cask Collection

Published: 21 September, 2012

Berry Bros & Rudd's single malt whisky brand, The Glenrothes, is releasing the first in what will be a series of single cask bottlings going back to the late 1960s.

A UK first for Shui Jing Fang

Published: 10 August, 2012

Diageo has launched Shui Jing Fang into the UK market on the back of its strategic investment into Chinese white spirits.

Crash launches to the 'daring and uninhibited'

Published: 06 July, 2012

Targeted at the "daring and uninhibited: serious wine drinkers with a sense of adventure and fun," is the Crash range of wines(rrp £9.99).

Spotlight on Scotch whisky following Diageo's £1bn investment

Published: 08 June, 2012

Self-belief within the Scotch whisky industry hit an all-time high this week when Diageo announced it was investing £1 billion over the next five years to boost production by 30-40%.

Adnams has spirits on its side

Published: 01 June, 2012

Martin Pilkington finds out why brewer Adnams has entered the world of microdistilling

Novum takes on India's Fratelli Wines

Published: 01 June, 2012

In order to strengthen its position as the leading importer of Indian wines, Novum has taken on Fratelli Wines from Akluj, Maharashtra.

Malibutique concept taken to new levels

Published: 21 May, 2012

Rum brand Malibu is joining forces with brand partners to expand its "Malibutique" consumer campaign that focuses on girls getting ready for a night out.