Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Halewood and Pernod Ricard show commitment to flavoured spirits

Published: 07 March, 2017

The trend for flavoured spirits is showing no signs of slowing down with further launches this week from Halewood and Pernod Ricard.

Think Gin 2017: Mapping out gin's future

Published: 06 March, 2017

When something gets too big or grows too fast, it's only a matter of time before the wolves gather, waiting for it to fall - or trying to knock it - off its pedestal. This is true of gin, where the spirit's unprecedented rise has made it a target for gleeful mutterings that it's finally past its peak.

Sales of bourbon predicted to explode in the UK over next five years

Published: 03 March, 2017

Sales of bourbon could rival those of Scotch in the UK over the next five to ten years new data has shown.

Jumping Juniper

Published: 01 March, 2017

Yes, I published a book about gin last year (I promise that's it for the shameless promotion), but I have no reservations about confessing that I didn't see this current trend for gin lasting so long. Whether it was an over-saturation of the market, familiarity-bred

Spirit sales across Western Europe in sharp decline

Published: 28 February, 2017

Spirit sales across Western Europe have been hit by poor performances from the majority of countries, with only the UK and four other countries showing growth.

Campari strengthens premium spirit range with acquisition of Bulldog Gin

Published: 21 February, 2017

Gruppo Campari has bought Bulldog Gin for £47 million.

CETA deal to boost spirits sales to Canada

Published: 16 February, 2017

Industry leaders have welcomed the ratification of the controversial CETA trade deal, which will eliminate almost all import tariffs on wines, spirits travelling from the EU to Canada.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 27 January, 2017

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Diageo celebrates growth in 2017 interim results

Published: 26 January, 2017

Spirits giant Diageo has reported a better than expected rise in sales helped by improvements in its US business and its Scotch portfolio.

Craft beer and gin exports follow in footsteps of Scotch

Published: 26 January, 2017

Scotch may be one of the UK's greatest export success stories, but craft beer and gin are fast catching up, according to figures released by Defra yesterday to coincide with Burns' Night.

Arbikie adds wheat and honey gin to range

Published: 25 January, 2017

Premium Scottish field-to-bottle distillery Arbikie Highland Estate has added a second gin to its award-winning range.

Inside London's super distillery

Published: 24 January, 2017

In case anyone was in doubt, the opening of new London hotspot, Portobello Road's The Distillery, is proof that the gin renaissance is alive and well in London.

England's smallest whisky distillery to open in Yorkshire

Published: 23 January, 2017

A Yorkshire couple are to build a England's smallest whisky distillery in the North Yorkshire village of Sutton-on-the-Forest.

Pinkster Gin follows Matthew Clark listing with first special edition bottle

Published: 16 January, 2017

With Majestic Retail and others reporting bumper sales of premium gin over the festive trading period, one gin brand in particular is looking to make the most out of the UK's next significant commercial holiday.

Majestic Retail has "biggest ever Christmas" during bumper trading period

Published: 10 January, 2017

Sales of sparkling and gin helped to put a skip back into Majestic's step over the Christmas period with total group sales up 15.3% compared to the previous year.

Eden Mill is putting itself - and St Andrews - on the gin and whisky map

Published: 19 December, 2016

Visitors to the Scottish town of St Andrews will no doubt have heard of the university, its hallowed 18th green as the birthplace of golf and, as time goes on, Eden Mill.

Sipsmith purchase by Beam Suntory brings welcome reaction from WSTA

Published: 16 December, 2016

Beam Suntory's purchase of a 100% controlling stake in Sipsmith, the artisanal London Dry Gin producer, points to the growing global reach of the renaissance in British gin.

Alan Sugar's big gin debate: Are coloured gins a big no-no?

Published: 09 December, 2016

The issues surrounding colouring usually clear spirits came to the wider public's attention last night with the latest episode of BBC1's The Apprentice.