Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

David Beckham gets behind new Diageo Scotch whisky

Published: 08 April, 2014

Diageo is launching a new Scotch whisky called Haig Club, in partnership with footballing great David Beckham and music mogul Simon Fuller.

Brown-Forman may acquire Whyte & Mackay, not Rémy Cointreau

Published: 08 April, 2014

Last week Rémy Cointreau' stocks spiked on speculation that Brown-Forman was a possible interested buyer, however reports have surfaced that Brown-Forman is a possible bidder for the Whyte & Mackay business which is currently up for sale.

Diageo shakes up global management team

Published: 31 March, 2014

Diageo's chief executive Ivan Menezes has made changes to the company's global management team with a major focus on emerging markets.

Tennessee whiskey repeal bill shot down - for now

Published: 27 March, 2014

The proposed bill challenging the definition of Tennessee whiskey was temporarily laid to rest earlier this week as state lawmakers voted to shelve consideration of the bill until the summer.

Battle over Tennessee Bourbon whiskey intensifies

Published: 20 March, 2014

Both Diaego and Brown-Forman have made headlines in recent days over a battle that is brewing in the south of the US over what exactly is the appropriate definition of Tennessee Bourbon whiskey.

Key beer sponsors pull out of US St Patrick's Day celebrations over gay ban

Published: 17 March, 2014

Guinness, Sam Adam's Boston Beer Company and Heineken have all pulled their sponsorships of the New York City and Boston St. Patrick's Day parade because organisers excluded gay and lesbians groups from participating in the events.

Indie rock band the 1975 to headline Bushmills gig

Published: 11 March, 2014

Irish whiskey brand Bushmills' third annual Bushmills Live gig will be headlined by up and coming indie rock band the 1975.

?Diageo appoints exclusive national broker for Canada

Published: 04 March, 2014

Wirtz Beverage Group is to become Diageo's exclusive national broker in Canada, after signing an agreement last week.

Scotch whisky industry seeks clarity over independence

Published: 27 February, 2014

The Scotch whisky industry is asking for clarity from both the UK and Scottish governments ahead of the independence referendum on what it would mean for business.

Diageo slapped on wrist by ASA over Captain Morgan ad

Published: 26 February, 2014

Diageo has been rapped on the knuckles for its Captain Morgan ad which "links alcohol with daring and toughness".

Diageo warns of the dangers of any UK departure from the EU

Published: 20 February, 2014

Diageo has fired a warning shot against any possible British departure from the European Union and the risks it would have on not only its business but the future of key markets such as the Scottish whisky industry. This could be exacerbated further if Scotland chooses to become independent later in the year.

Whyte & Mackay could sell for as high as £450m next week

Published: 13 February, 2014

Rothschild, Rabobank and Standard Chartered are the investment banks that have been formally appointed to run the sale of Whyte & Mackay by Diageo, which is set to begin next week and could sell for as much £450m.

'Status quo' is ordered for Diageo and United Spirits deal

Published: 12 February, 2014

The Indian Supreme Court has ordered the acquisition deal between Diageo and United Spirits to maintain 'status quo' until April when the matter can heard at length in a court of law.

Q&A on luxury vodka CÎROC's growth and plans for UK

Published: 28 January, 2014

Luxury vodka C&IcircROC's master distiller, Jean-Sebastien Robicquet and head of Diageo Reserve Brands GB, Nick Temperley, talk to Harpers about creating the brand and its opportunities in the UK market.

Brown-Forman: the next big deal?

Published: 27 January, 2014

Mergers and acquisitions are the name of the game at the moment in the spirits world and whiskey brands are taking centre stage.

Rolling update: Key drinks figures tell MPs about the damage duty increases have on UK businesses

Published: 16 January, 2014

Leading figures from across the UK wine and spirits industry joined the trade lobby that took the Call Time On Duty campaign to MPs at the House of Commons last night.

Over 77,000 fake Smirnoff Vodka bottles to be destroyed

Published: 07 January, 2014

Singapore Customs has handed over 77,850 counterfeit Smirnoff vodka bottles to brand owner, Diageo. The authorities first discovered the shipment in June 2013 and have only now released them to be destroyed.

Irish on and off-trade warned to look out for fake Smirnoff bottles

Published: 19 December, 2013

Bar and off-licence owners in Ireland have been urged to check Smirnoff vodka bottles following the seizure of a number of fakes.

Former SMWS brand ambassador to join Diageo's Mortlach team

Published: 18 December, 2013

Diageo has appointed Scotch Malt Whisky Society global ambassador Georgie Bell as its global brand ambassador for single malt Scotch Mortlach.

Bulleit bucks the trend and increases ABV of its UK whiskey

Published: 13 December, 2013

News this week that Diageo's Bulleit Bourbon would be changing its UK recipe and introducing a higher ABV is counter to what US bourbon and whiskey brands tend to do in the UK market.