Tesco expands Dan Jago's global wine role to include beer and spirits

Tesco's UK and group wine director Dan Jago is to increase his responsibilities with the addition of the beer and spirits portfolio.

Myles Donneky on the high life at Hutong - 30 floors up in London's Shard

The 22 year-old bar manager of "Hutong" above Aqua on floor 31 of The Shard talks to Douglas Blyde about tea punches, pride in service, and competitive ping-pong...

Jacob Ehrenkrona on giving up financial career to create Martin Miller's Gin

Harpers.co.uk talked with Jacob Ehrenkrona, the chief executive of Martin Miller's gin, about why he gave up a career in venture capitalism to pursue the classic spirit.

William Grant toasts successful 2013 as sales and profits rise

William Grant & Sons boosted operating profits by 10% to £138 million in 2013 while turnover rose by 5.2% to £1.12 billion.

Chase Distillery launches marmalade ready to drink cocktail

Herefordshire's Chase Distillery has released its first ready to drink cocktail - the Marmalade Mule

Chief of the week: The Dude

This week the Claret Pimpernel raises a White Russian to Jeff Bridges, whose new short film called the "The White Russian" was released this week by Kahlúa Productions, as a tribute to the drink he made famous in the cult film, The Big Lebowski. 

England's largest whisky distillery gives members chance to own personal cask

England's largest whisky distillery, The Lakes Distillery near Bassenthwaite Lake in Cumbria, is to produce 60 Connoisseurs' Club oak sherry casks, filled with the Lakes single malt and owned exclusively by club members.

Berry Bros & Rudd takes on Sweden's Karlsson's Gold Vodka

The Swedish premium vodka, Karlsson's Gold Vodka, is the latest addition to Berry Bros & Rudd's growing spirtis portfoliio.

Boutique RumFest returns to London with over 400 rums on show

RumFest is set to return to London for its eighth year next month and will include the trade only Boutique RumFest that takes place on October 10at London's ILEC Centre.

Ardbeg celebrates return from space with release of SUPERNOVA 2014

Ardbeg is celebrating its upcoming return from space on September 12 by releasing its third edition of Supernova 2014.

Stock Spirits H1 sales hit by Polish duty hikes

Stock Spirits saw revenues fall by 10% to €137.7 million as a 15% hike in Polish excise duty hit consumption levels in the six months to June 30.

Scottish independence: whisky heavyweights say business case 'not made'

A host of the biggest names in Scotch whisky have signed an open letter warning that the business case for Scottish independence "has not been made".

Distell launches 56 Hundred Nederburg wine as profits surge

South Afica's Distell has launched a new Nederburg range 56 Hundred, which includes a Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio.

Jon Chadwick on moving from the NHS to setting up his own craft spirits distillery

Former National Health Service chief Jon Chadwick has gone from advising people to drink less to setting up County Durham's first distillery. He tells Jennifer Ashcroft where the idea came from, what it means to be a "craft" gin distillery and how he's capturing Durham in a bottle.

Diageo 'disappointed' over Portman Group decision on Mix It Up Tonight promotion

Diageo has said it is 'disappointed' over a decision that its Mix it Up Tonight counter-top display unit breached marketing rules by encouraging irresponsible impulse purchases.

Pernod Ricard calls for premium wine and spirits push in impulse for Christmas 2014

Pernod Ricard UK is aiming to cash in on millions of pounds of lost sales in premium wines and spirits in the impulse sector this Christmas by helping retailers encourage customers to trade up.

Diageo's incubator spirits firm doubles number of places for 2015 applicants

Angel investor firm Distill Ventures will double the number of places available in its accelerator programme that helps new and growing spirits entrepreneurs launch and expand their brands and businesses.

Constellation Brands to buy Casa Noble Tequila to grow spirits offering

Constellation Brands announced last week its plans to acquire the Casa Noble Holdings tequila brands

Bowmore and Glenmorangie both raise a dram to increased profits and sales

Morrison Bowmore Distillers, a subsidiary of Beam Suntory, and Glenmorangie Company, part of LVMH, both saw sales and profits grow last year, only further confirming the "hot" streak that whisky is currently having

EU and US sanctions unlikely to harm the Russian Vodka industry