Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

American whiskey challenges Johnnie Walker lead in alcohol power list

Published: 10 June, 2015

Johnnie Walker has retained its title as the world's leading alcohol power brand - but risks losing the crown in future years.

Pinkster Gin expands sales and brand team

Published: 09 June, 2015

The Pinkster gin brand has taken a further step on its expansion path by recruiting the retail director from Cambridge Wine Merchants.

BFBB introduces 'confident and direct' pack for Southern Comfort

Published: 09 June, 2015

A new look for Southern Comfort is being introduced by Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands in the UK.

Trust is "huge for brands" according to Sir John Hegarty

Published: 08 June, 2015

The FIFA scandal that has shaken the global game of football is an important reminder that "trust is the very foundation that brands are built on" according to brand guru Sir John Hegarty.

Brown-Forman to invest $50m to build a distillery on Slane Castle Estate

Published: 03 June, 2015

Brown-Forman the corporation that owns famed American Bourbon brand Jack Daniel's has purchased SlaneCastle Irish Whiskey Limited and plans to invest $50m into the site in Ireland.

Raising a dram for World Whisky Day celebrations

Published: 15 May, 2015

As World Whisky Day kicks of tomorrow, Diageo explains that the rise of social media has helped boost interest in the spirit.

Scotland's oldest distillery releases rare single cask malt

Published: 01 May, 2015

Perthshire distillery Glenturret has released a rare single cask malt whisky that will only be available online.

Gin brand Langley's No.8 teams up with events business for summer marketing

Published: 30 April, 2015

Gin brand Langley's No.8 is ramping up its summer activity after signing an exclusive gin partnerships with Gorilla Events.

Absolut vodka to modernise its iconic bottle

Published: 29 April, 2015

Absolut is making design changes to its iconic bottle that helped make the brand famous in 1979, "making it ready to face the future."

American whiskey category sees 19% value growth in the UK according to Nielsen

Published: 28 April, 2015

American Whiskey is now worth £190m in the UK and saw growth last year of 19% according to Nielsen's most recent beer, wines and spirits data.

Portobello Road Gin launches new limited edition

Published: 23 April, 2015

Artisan gin brand Portobello Road gin is to launch a new limited edition gin, after seeing strong growth and growing international demand.

Laphroaig to release limited edition 200th anniversary commemorative whisky

Published: 21 April, 2015

In celebration of Laphroaig's 200th anniversary the iconic Islay single malt scotch maker will be releasing a limited edition 15 year old.

Alcohol trends now shifting at a rate similar to other lifestyle categories

Published: 20 April, 2015

Alcohol trends are evolving at much more rapid rate than in the past and while they don't follow the fashion industry's seasonal six month cycles, the on-going shifts within the drinks categories are changing at a similar pace as other lifestyle industries, according to Euronmonitor International.

Jose Cuervo's Dons of Tequila global bartender competition kicks-off

Published: 07 April, 2015

Last week Jose Cuervo launched its Dons of Tequila competition, which provides the winning bartender the chance to harvest their own agave crop in Mexico and blend their own labelled tequila.

Bacardi grows its American and Scotch whisky portfolio through acquisition

Published: 01 April, 2015

Bacardi Limited has made two major moves into the whisky category this week with the acquisition of American bourbon brand Angel's Envy and the purchase of a stake in the Compass Box Whisky Co.

Drambuie saw profits slide in run up to sale

Published: 30 March, 2015

Drambuie saw its profits slide nearly 10%, in the run up to its sale to William Grant & Sons, according to accounts filed at Companies House.

Pernod Ricard's 'black op's' vodka brand announces London team

Published: 25 March, 2015

An urban micro-distillery initiated by Pernod Ricard is set to open in Hackney in June, headed by two local entrepreneurs from outside the spirits industry.