Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Take part: Harpers Drinks Trade Innovation Survey

Published: 15 July, 2026

Harpers readers are invited to take part in our Drinks Trade Innovation Survey, the results of which are to be published in our August issue.

Sell on flavour profiles and relative value, says Rum Show panel

Published: 13 July, 2026

The Whisky Exchange’s annual Rum Show (10-11 July) is by any measure a comprehensive affair, bringing together over 40 producers, featuring 350-plus rums, with both trade and consumer slots for good measure.

Isle of Arran Distillers unveils new distribution partnership with Chimera

Published: 02 July, 2026

Isle of Arran Distillers – producers of Arran Single Malt and Lagg Single Malt – has announced a new exclusive UK distribution and ‘brand-building’ partnership with Chimera Brand Development.

Drinks Trust marks 140th anniversary with six ultramarathons

Published: 24 June, 2026

Neil Barker (pictured), chair of The Drinks Trust, will channel the spirit of Usain Bolt this July, running six ultramarathons in six days as part of a major fundraising drive marking the charity's special anniversary.

Mangrove portfolio set to gain sustainability-oriented French vodka

Published: 17 June, 2026

Mangrove is set to become the UK distributor for French vodka brand Le Philtre. The brand’s unique bottles are produced from recycled waste glass – each glass’ colour depending on the type of waste glass used.

IWSR: Global alcohol consumption to continue decline, reviving next decade

Published: 11 June, 2026

IWSR – the beverage alcohol insights firm – is predicting global alcohol consumption to continue declining until 2031, though recovering to around its 2025 levels by 2035.

Adaptogenic drinks brand partners with Harpers’ Top 50 Drinks Wholesaler

Published: 01 June, 2026

Adaptogenic non-alcoholic spirits brand Nazcal has announced a distribution partnership with Inn Express, one of Harpers’ Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers.

WSTA highlights +17% rise in RTD sales

Published: 26 May, 2026

The WSTA has unveiled sales statistics from its new Sip 2 report which show that for 2025, off-trade sales for the ready to drink (RTD) category rose +17% year on year in terms of value.

Harpers Top 50 Sommeliers 2026 listing is open for nominations

Published: 11 May, 2026

Our annual Harpers Top 50 Sommeliers feature celebrates the best in the somm world, focusing in on the professionalism and talent shown by those behind many of the great wine and drinks offers we are lucky enough to have in restaurants and hotels across the UK.

Amber Beverage UK onboard two new directors

Published: 06 May, 2026

Spirits distributor Amber Beverage UK has announced the appointment of Selene Cakmak-Rathee (pictured, left) as marketing director and Nick Duncan (pictured, right) as UK sales director.

Mangrove appointed UK distributor for Fernet-Branca

Published: 06 May, 2026

UK premium spirits supplier Mangrove Global has unveiled that it has become the UK distributor for Fratelli Branca, the owner of the Fernet-Branca bitter brand.

Eden Mill Distillery appoints new CEO

Published: 24 April, 2026

St Andrews spirits producer Eden Mill Distillery has unveiled its new CEO, Steven Kersley (pictured). The appointment follows the October 2025 acquisition of the business by Ruby Capital, a Dundee-based private investment firm.

Wine and spirits sector hits back at tax as duty revenues fall

Published: 23 April, 2026

The wine and spirits sector has hit back against what the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) called “the UK's uniquely punitive excise duty regime”.

Back to the classics: Beating the gin slump

Published: 17 April, 2026

It’s no secret that the days of meteoric growth are over for gin. Once the darling of hipsters, bartenders and Instagram feeds, a proliferation of flavoured variants and quirky botanicals has reached saturation point, compounded by the general decline in alcohol consumption and wider macroeconomic pressures. Yet the category’s retreat from peak hype, despite what gin’s rivals would claim, is not a story of collapse, but rather one increasingly defined by consolidation, range streamlining and a return to classical styles.

Soapbox: Spirit of celebration

Published: 07 April, 2026

Speaking from Denomination’s NYC HQ, Hamish Campbell runs Andrew Catchpole through spirits’ need to ‘find their Champagne moment’.

‘National spirits’ lead global beverage alcohol decline over 2025

Published: 02 April, 2026

According to preliminary data released today by the IWSR, total beverage alcohol (TBA) volume declined in 2025 by -2% across 22 markets – representing about 75% of the global market.

Nick Gillett: Bitters – longstanding yet underappreciated modern cocktail star

Published: 24 March, 2026

I’m a champion of all categories, right? It’s part of the job description. But there are some that just hold a special place in my booze cabinet – especially when they’re backed up by centuries old production methods and a sterling reputation with the best and boldest bars.

Amber Beverage UK appoints Pavel Verblyudenko as MD

Published: 26 February, 2026

Spirits distributor Amber Beverage UK (ABUK) has unveiled a new MD with Pavel Verblyudenko (pictured) taking on the role.

Wine Paris hits international stride as numbers continue to grow

Published: 16 February, 2026

Wine Paris took a further step in establishing itself as the premier Wine and Spirits exhibition last week (7-11 February), with both visitors and exhibitors exceeding last year’s record-setting numbers.

WSTA asks government to end ‘doom loop’ as duty to rise

Published: 31 January, 2026

The WSTA has called on the government to end the “doom loop” caused by its decision to continue to increase alcohol duty at the last Budget (as Harpers reported).