Q&A: Agnès Aubin, Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac

The director of communications and promotion for the BNIC on how Cognac is going from strength to strength

La Hechicera rum launches bartender competition

La Hechicera, an aged rum from Colombia, is launching a competition called Wanderlust Columbia, which will give two bartenders from the UK the chance to live and work in the capital of Colombia, with accommodation and a month's salary.

William Grant & Sons tops £1 billion turnover for second year running

William Grant & Sons, which produces and distributes leading spirits brands inculding Glenfiddich, Hendrick's Gin and Monkey Shoulder, has reported a 7% increase in sales on core brands year-on-year to hit a record topping £1.06 billion.

Whisky Show 2013 trade day line-up announced

Over 80 whisky brands, 400 whiskies and a selection of masterclasses will be on offer at this year's Whisky Exchange Whisky Show 2013 trade session, in October.

New Islay distillery on the cards

Scotland's Islay is to get its ninth distillery, although plans have yet to be made public.

On-pack promotion for Mozart Gold chocolate liqueur

Mangrove, the spirits and liqueurs agency, has launched an on-pack competition offering consumers the chance to win a trip to Salzburg with promotional bottles of Mozart Gold chocolate liqueur.

Whisky fans name Glenmorangie single malt Taghta

Glenmorangie, which is running a crowd-sourcing Cask Masters whisky creation programme aimed at getting members of the public involved in the whisky-making process, has announced the winner of a contest run last month to name the single malt, confirming it will be called Taghta, which is the Gaelic word for "chosen".

Hine Cognac sold for undisclosed amount

Hine Cognac, which was put up for sale in April by UK-based CL World Brands, a subsidiary of the Caribbean group CL Financial, has been sold to French company EDV SAS for an undisclosed amount.

John Humphries: discovering the wonders of Grappa

I had it. A wrap. Concealed in a torn Mars Bar wrapper, a quarter of a gram. Of Saffron. La Mancha's finest from an obliging chef. I retraced my steps from Dean back to Wardour Street for the second session of a Grappa master class with Grappe Marolo from, Alba, Italy. I was attending for two reasons, to learn about a spirit that had always assaulted both by palate and my nostrils with its pungent, raw aromas and high alcohol. I had also volunteered to make a Grappa cocktail, a Sour, the classic recipe but with the aromatic intensity of a few sprigs of fresh rosemary added to the shaker.

Scotch Whisky Association appoints new chief

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has appointed a new chief executive.

Santa Teresa rum branded cocktail bar opens in London

Mangrove has teamed up with London Venezuelan food specialist Arepa & Co to open a Santa Teresa rum branded cocktail bar in Shoreditch.

Grasovka bison grass vodka launches in UK

Love Drinks has announced the addition of Polish bison grass vodka Grasovka to its portfolio.

Glenfiddich's Malt Mastermind competition heads home

The fourth Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind competition will take place in October and, for the first time, will see the final held in Glenfiddich's hometown of Dufftown.

Elephant Gin to launch in the UK this month

A new handcrafted London dry gin called Elephant Gin, which is a gin inspired by Africa and supports the conservation of African wildlife by donating 15% of all profits to two African elephant foundations, is set to hit the UK market this month.

Absolut Vodka to roll out new global brand campaign

Absolut Vodka is rolling out a new global brand campaign that builds on its already close affiliation with the art world by linking up with four cutting-edge artists.

Liberty Wines introduces new cider, beer and spirits range

Mark Fiddes: what happens when you try and re-enact that Southern Comfort commercial

Does advertising really work? I decided to find out last week by re-enacting the Southern Comfort commercial. My audience was several hundred innocent Catalans on the Costa Dorada. Temperature: 32 degrees celsius.

Illegal vodka vending machine seized in Ukraine

Tax inspectors in the south-eastern city of Melitopol, Ukraine are looking for the owners of a converted coffee machine that dispensed vodka that was installed in the middle of the town centre, according to a report on a local television channel.

On-trade lost out during the lot hot summer, says WSTA report

The long hot summer has proved to be a real test for the on-trade with alcohol sales down by 6% over the last 12 weeks, according to the latest Wine and Spirit Trade Associationmarket report.

Belvedere vodka targets customers through first cinema advertising campaign

LVMH-owned Belvedere Vodka has launched its inaugural UK cinema campaign, the first such in the country's premium vodka market, and a first, anywhere, for the brand.