Nick Gillett: Why vodka needs to break out of its boring ‘steady Eddie’ box

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘vodka’. Not much, right? Where the word ‘whisky’ evokes images of sipping from a glass next to a roaring fire and ‘rum’ transports you to tropical climates grasping a glass filled with amber liquid on ice – vodka just doesn’t deliver the same dreamy (if clichéd) scenarios. But vodka is estimated to have a global value of $40.25 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 5.6% each year until then (IWSR Vodka Innovation Trends report). So, the category has to be doing something right, surely?

US vodka leader Tito's eyes UK expansion via Spirit Cartel

Tito’s Handmade Vodka, the largest vodka brand in the US, is officially expanding and formalising its presence in the UK by appointing Spirit Cartel as its exclusive distributor.

Vodka: Mainstay on the back-bar

James Bayley assesses the health of the vodka category in the wake of the great Russian boycott and notes the spirit’s premium leanings.

Vodka's wild ride

The corporate world is very fond of quoting an old adage: “Commerce hates noise.” Yet vodka brands cannot hide from the upheaval caused by Ukraine, rising inflation and post-pandemic behavioural shifts. With the political, economic, and social environment in a state of realignment, spirit brands have been presented with a unique set of opportunities, and threats, in 2022.

Ukrainian vodka supports fundraising for British Red Cross Ukraine Appeal

Emporia, a spirits importer, is teaming up with several bars across the UK to serve cocktails with the Ukrainian Vodka ‘Staritsky Levitsky, Private Cellar’. 

Producers, suppliers and experts invited to donate lots in auction for Ukraine

The UK wine world is pulling together to raise funds for Ukraine.

Stoli Group announces rebrand in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Due to the Ukraine crisis, the Stoli Group will no longer sell its vodka under the Stolichnaya name.

Morrisons among UK retailers to boycott Russian vodka

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there have been calls to boycott Russian brands with the country’s most famous commodity, vodka, on the radar of UK retailers.

Vodka: Back to basics

With the on-trade revving its engine post-lockdown, Aleesha Hansel delves into the bar world to find out where this enduringly popular spirit is heading next

Master of Malt launches own-label spirits

Master of Malt has unveiled its first own-brand collection spanning blended Scotch whisky, London dry gin, rum and vodka.

Brits set to mix up Christmas drink choices

Brits are gearing up to throw out the festive rule book this Christmas with new research showing a shift in festive consumer drinking trends.

Rebranded Halewood opens vodka plant in Russia

Halewood Wines & Spirits, which is to rebrand as Halewood Artisanal Spirits, has opened a new vodka distillery in the Russian city of St Petersburg. 

Brewdog teases Bad Beer Vodka as brewer celebrates carbon negativity

Beer powerhouse Brewdog is continuing to pave the way for sustainable action as it teases the launch of a zero waste vodka made from brews which are not quite in spec or too old to sell.

Diageo GB’s full year results reveal impact of on-trade closure

Diageo’s full year results reveal a 47% fall in operating profits globally as a result of the pandemic, with net sales of spirits down 8% globally, and a 4% dip in the UK.

Distil and BHC end new joint venture

British drinks companies Distil and British Honey Company have folded their recently launched joint venture.

Former Blue Peter presenter jumps ship to head up Mangrove marketing

Speciality Brands signs distribution deal for Beluga

Speciality Brands has signed a deal as the exclusive UK distributor for vodka brand Beluga.

Gin: Ascending the throne

It’s been on the cards for some time. Back in 2014, there were rumblings that gin was poised to overtake vodka as the UK’s spirit of choice in time for the new decade.

Gin months away from eclipsing vodka as the UK’s biggest spirits category

After years of forecasting and speculation, gin is poised to finally push ahead of vodka as the UK’s biggest spirits category in 2020, with flavoured variants pushing the category to ever greater heights. 

Cocktail-drinking Brits are flavour-phobic, research suggests

British cocktail lovers are afraid to experiment with new flavours, research has revealed.