Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Crystal head vodka launches in 50cl miniatures

Published: 26 May, 2015

The Crystal Head vodka has launched in 50cl miniature bottles, which supplier Bibendum says will open up new opportunities for a fast-growing brand.

Isle of Harris Distillers launches this summer

Published: 21 May, 2015

This summer the Herbridean island's first commercial whisky distiller called the Isle of Harris Distillers is set to launch.

Raising a dram for World Whisky Day celebrations

Published: 15 May, 2015

As World Whisky Day kicks of tomorrow, Diageo explains that the rise of social media has helped boost interest in the spirit.

WSTA members angered by lack of support and other "freeloading" businesses in the trade

Published: 13 May, 2015

The WSTA has called for more drinks businesses to take up membership and support the trade organisation as some members that have been contributing to the body feel that other business in the trade are "freeloading."

General election: Stability good for the industry, WSTA claims

Published: 08 May, 2015

Following the political upheaval of the last 24 hours, the drinks industry has reacted to the news that David Cameron is returning to Number Ten with an increased majority.

Brown-Forman launches "LBD" vodka-based spirit in the UK

Published: 07 May, 2015

Brown-Forman launched LBD, a vodka-base spirit with a range of flavours following the success of the brand in the US.

Euromonitor predicts global drinks industry volume will grow nearly 10% by 2019

Published: 05 May, 2015

New data on the alcoholic drinks industry from Euromonitor International found that despite total volume growth for 2014 remaining relatively unchanged (0.8%) for the second year in a row, the industry is expected to grow by more than 20b litres in the next four years.

Scotland's oldest distillery releases rare single cask malt

Published: 01 May, 2015

Perthshire distillery Glenturret has released a rare single cask malt whisky that will only be available online.

Gin brand Langley's No.8 teams up with events business for summer marketing

Published: 30 April, 2015

Gin brand Langley's No.8 is ramping up its summer activity after signing an exclusive gin partnerships with Gorilla Events.

Absolut vodka to modernise its iconic bottle

Published: 29 April, 2015

Absolut is making design changes to its iconic bottle that helped make the brand famous in 1979, "making it ready to face the future."

Future of Scotch Whisky "sound", SWA says, but it warns of turbulent Scottish politics

Published: 28 April, 2015

The Scotch Whisky Association has insisted that the long term fundamentals for Scotch are "sound" and well-placed to return to growth once the economies of its export market strengthen

American whiskey category sees 19% value growth in the UK according to Nielsen

Published: 28 April, 2015

American Whiskey is now worth £190m in the UK and saw growth last year of 19% according to Nielsen's most recent beer, wines and spirits data.

Diageo mulls fate of United Spirits boss Vijay Mallya

Published: 27 April, 2015

Diageo is mulling the fate of United Spirits boss Vijay Mallya, after its Indian- based subsidiary issued a vote of no-confidence in him over the weekend.

Bruichladdich distiller retires after more than 50 years in the industry

Published: 27 April, 2015

Bruichladdich's production director and master distiller is stepping down after 15 years at the Hebridean distillery.

Conviviality Retail's franchise boss to consult customers on refit of GT stores

Published: 24 April, 2015

Jonathan James, the convenience store expert who has taken on the franchise of 36 Conviviality Retail's stores, is rolling out a customer consultation process to get customers' input on the refit of its new stores.

Pernod Ricard's third quarter results shows sales improving

Published: 23 April, 2015

Sales are improving at Pernod Ricard according to its third quarter financial results, reporting a 2% increase in organic sales to €6.5b and a 6% rise in reported growth for the first 9 months of the financial year.

Portobello Road Gin launches new limited edition

Published: 23 April, 2015

Artisan gin brand Portobello Road gin is to launch a new limited edition gin, after seeing strong growth and growing international demand.

Former Bibendum head of spirits launches new distribution business

Published: 22 April, 2015

The former head of Bibendum's beer and spirits division is launching his own spirits distribution business in May.

Laphroaig to release limited edition 200th anniversary commemorative whisky

Published: 21 April, 2015

In celebration of Laphroaig's 200th anniversary the iconic Islay single malt scotch maker will be releasing a limited edition 15 year old.

Alcohol trends now shifting at a rate similar to other lifestyle categories

Published: 20 April, 2015

Alcohol trends are evolving at much more rapid rate than in the past and while they don't follow the fashion industry's seasonal six month cycles, the on-going shifts within the drinks categories are changing at a similar pace as other lifestyle industries, according to Euronmonitor International.