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.

Enter Story Headline

Diageo reveals its 2013 Special Releases collection

Diageo has revealed the 10 single malt whiskies that will make up its annual limited edition Special Releases for this year.  

Media executive Lord Black to deliver WSTA conference keynote speech

Newspaper executive, Lord Black of Brentwood, will deliver the keynote address at this month's annual Wine & Spirit Trade Association Conference looking at how the media industry has responded to the threat of government intervention and regulation.

Media executive Lord Black to deliver keynote speech at WSTA conference

Newspaper executive Lord Black will deliver the keynote speech on how an industry needs to respond from potential government regulation at this month's annual Wine & Spirit Trade Association conference.

Cutty Sark to host the 'Cutty Cargo' tour starting in London

Cutty Sark is preparing to host a new event series, "Cutty Cargo", which looks to promote whisky to a younger audience with a mixture of live music, DJs and street food with a tour across major cities around the world starting in London on September 12.

Edinburgh Gin spices up autumn

Just three years since launching, small batch specialist Edinburgh Gin has added a third flavour to its portfolio - Spiced Orange.

Jim Beam stillhouse comes to London

Maxxium UK is to open a replica of its Jim Beam stillhouse, in London.

Irish Distillers launches Paddy Centenary Edition whiskey

Pernod Ricard-owned Irish Distillers has released a single pot still whiskey to celebrate 100 years of the Paddy Irish whiskey brand.