Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Diageo's Smirnoff vodka launches £15m campaign

Published: 23 September, 2014

Smirnoff vodka has launched a £15 million marketing campaign - including TV advertising - in order to grow the category and make it more accessible.

Bolivian wine trade to head to ProWein 2015

Published: 22 September, 2014

Bolivia, newcomer to the wine trade, is making its presence felt internationally by taking a stand at next year's ProWein show in Dusseldorf.

Scotch whisky exports plummet 11% in first half of 2014

Published: 22 September, 2014

Scotch whisky exports have fallen 11% to £1.77 billion in the first half of 2014, compared to the same period last year, with the finger being pointed at "economic headwinds and uncertainty".

RumFest aims to break rum tasting world record

Published: 22 September, 2014

RumFest in London is aiming to break the record for the world's biggest ever rum tasting with over 700 people tasting a selection of six rums on October 9.

Wine and spirits industry welcomes "stability" of Scottish "No" vote for independence

Published: 19 September, 2014

Parts of the UK wine and spirits industry have welcomed the "stability" the news this morning that Scotland has rejected independence to remain part of the United Kingdom.

William Grant & Sons invests in Tullamore whiskey with new Irish distillery

Published: 17 September, 2014

William Grant & Sons officially opens its new Tullamore state-of-the-art whiskey distillery today in Ireland to help keep up with international demand for what is now the second largest Irish whiskey in the world. It is the first time that whiskey has been produced in Tullamore for 60 years.

On-trade hit by decline in spirits sales across all venues

Published: 17 September, 2014

Declining year-on-year spirits sales in the on-trade will have brand owners hoping for a substantial pick up in the last few months of the year leading up to Christmas.

Your view: the impact of Scottish independence on the drinks trade

Published: 15 September, 2014

With only three more days to go until the big Scottish independence vote we ask the UK wine and spirits industry what it thinks will be the best outcome for individual businesses and look at some of the big issues that might arise after the Yes/No vote. Will alcohol duty rates differ in an independent Scotland? And how would drinks firms cope with trading in separate currencies north and south of the border? What do you think is the right future for Scotland and the rest of the country. Take part in our poll and let's find out...

Decline in Far East and Europe hits global Cognac sales but US rallies

Published: 12 September, 2014

The clampdown on luxury goods gifting in China continues to hit the global spirits industry with Cognac announcing total exports are down both in volume and value for the year to July 2014.

Tesco expands Dan Jago's global wine role to include beer and spirits

Published: 11 September, 2014

Tesco's UK and group wine director Dan Jago is to increase his responsibilities with the addition of the beer and spirits portfolio.

Myles Donneky on the high life at Hutong - 30 floors up in London's Shard

Published: 11 September, 2014

The 22 year-old bar manager of "Hutong" above Aqua on floor 31 of The Shard talks to Douglas Blyde about tea punches, pride in service, and competitive ping-pong...

Jacob Ehrenkrona on giving up financial career to create Martin Miller's Gin

Published: 09 September, 2014

Harpers.co.uk talked with Jacob Ehrenkrona, the chief executive of Martin Miller's gin, about why he gave up a career in venture capitalism to pursue the classic spirit.

William Grant toasts successful 2013 as sales and profits rise

Published: 08 September, 2014

William Grant & Sons boosted operating profits by 10% to £138 million in 2013 while turnover rose by 5.2% to £1.12 billion.

Chase Distillery launches marmalade ready to drink cocktail

Published: 08 September, 2014

Herefordshire's Chase Distillery has released its first ready to drink cocktail - the Marmalade Mule

Chief of the week: The Dude

Published: 05 September, 2014

This week the Claret Pimpernel raises a White Russian to Jeff Bridges, whose new short film called the "The White Russian" was released this week by Kahlúa Productions, as a tribute to the drink he made famous in the cult film, The Big Lebowski.

England's largest whisky distillery gives members chance to own personal cask

Published: 03 September, 2014

England's largest whisky distillery, The Lakes Distillery near Bassenthwaite Lake in Cumbria, is to produce 60 Connoisseurs' Club oak sherry casks, filled with the Lakes single malt and owned exclusively by club members.

Berry Bros & Rudd takes on Sweden's Karlsson's Gold Vodka

Published: 02 September, 2014

The Swedish premium vodka, Karlsson's Gold Vodka, is the latest addition to Berry Bros & Rudd's growing spirtis portfoliio.

Boutique RumFest returns to London with over 400 rums on show

Published: 02 September, 2014

RumFest is set to return to London for its eighth year next month and will include the trade only Boutique RumFest that takes place on October 10at London's ILEC Centre.