Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

France takes top spot on world whisky-drinking table

Published: 17 March, 2016

French drinkers now lead the world in their whisky consumption, according to a new report by retail consultants Bonial.

Four Pillars partners with Santamania on ultra-limited edition gin

Published: 17 March, 2016

Australia's Four Pillars distillery has collaborated with the Santamania Destileria Urbana in Madrid on a new limited edition release.

Twitter campaign launched to find the UK's favourite craft spirits

Published: 16 March, 2016

Today sees the launch of a new Twitter campaign aimed at identifying the UK's best-loved independent spirit brands.

UK launch for Barcelona Spirits Brands four-strong 5th Gin range

Published: 16 March, 2016

Barcelona Spirit Brands has announced the launch of all four of its 5th Gin range in the UK.

ONS adds cream liqueurs to national shopping basket

Published: 16 March, 2016

Cream liqueurs such as Bailey's have been added to the nation's shopping basket by the Office of National Statistics.

Campari strengthens premium spirit portfolio with Grand Marnier acquisition

Published: 15 March, 2016

Italy's Gruppo Campari is to acquire the producer of Grand Marnier as part of a friendly takeover which values the business at £537 million.

Fever-Tree riding high on premium gin trend

Published: 14 March, 2016

Pioneering premium mixer supplier Fever-Tree continued its exponential rise in 2015 - its first full year of trading as a listed company - according to results announced today.

Laphroaig honours 200-year legacy with latest release

Published: 14 March, 2016

The Laphroaig distillery on the Isle of Islay's southern coast is to launch a new single malt, described as its "richest ever".

UK Scotch drinkers pay double in tax across EU

Published: 11 March, 2016

Research from the Scotch Whisky Association has revealed the full extent to which the UK's Scotch drinkers are over-taxed.

Golden age for British gin as 49 distilleries open in 2015

Published: 11 March, 2016

The full scale of the gin boom underway in the UK has been revealed for the first time.

Profits slashed at Stock Spirits as Polish market woes take their toll

Published: 10 March, 2016

FTSE-250 Central and Eastern European branded spirits producer Stock Spirits posted disappointing 2015 results today on the back of problems in the pivotal Polish market.

Premium Malfy GDQI aims to bring Italian sunshine to UK gin category

Published: 10 March, 2016

Premium Italian gin Malfy GQDI has launched in the UK - backed the claim that Italy is the true homeland of gin.

Limited edition Ketel One release marks distillery's 325th birthday

Published: 09 March, 2016

Diageo Reserve Brand Ketel One Vodka is releasing a limited edition bottle to celebrate the Nolet family distillery's 325th anniversary.

Funkin partners with Cocktail Trading Co on Cocktails in the City serve

Published: 09 March, 2016

Cocktail-mixer producer Funkin is partnering with the Cocktail Trading Co on a new cocktail at this year's Cocktails in the City event in London.

Catalyst to launch Spanish best seller Larios Gin in the UK

Published: 09 March, 2016

Catalyst Brands is to take on Spain's Larios Gin in the UK as part of a partnership with Beam Suntory which begins on April 1.

Isle of Arran releases 18 Year Old Single Malt as distillery turns 21

Published: 07 March, 2016

Isle of Arran Distillers is to release an 18 Year Old Single Malt as it celebrates its 21st anniversary this year.

Taking a break from the mainstream

Published: 07 March, 2016

It's often said that Champagne sales are a pretty accurate economic barometer, their fluctuations closely matching the financial health of the nation, fast charting out the highs and lows of boom and bust.

Profile: Denis O'Flynn, Pernod Ricard

Published: 07 March, 2016

intDenis O'Flynn, managing director of Pernod Ricard, brings with him a clear strategy, an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for the industry - what could be better?

Maggie's Farm rum wins ACSA best in show second year running

Published: 04 March, 2016

Pennsylvania-based Allegheny Distilling has taken home the best-in-show medal from the American Craft Spirits Association's annual awards for its Maggie's Farm rum the second year in a row.