Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Whisky research reveals taste can be affected by environment

Published: 09 October, 2013

A change of environment can enhance the experience of enjoying whisky by up to 20% according to new research.

William Grant releases experimental Scotch whisky

Published: 09 October, 2013

First Drinks-distributed William Grant & Sons is breaking with convention to release a new expression that comes from its 50-year-old Girvan Patented still.

Courvoisier launches campaign to attract younger consumers

Published: 08 October, 2013

Courvoisier hopes to attract key targeted premium spirit consumers to the Cognac category with a new campaign that looks to bring fresh excitement to what has often been seen as a traditional and elite drink.

Lakes Distillery to produce first British blended whisky

Published: 07 October, 2013

Cumbria's first whisky distillery for over 100 years, the Lakes Distillery, has created a new concept "British Isles blend" for its inaugural product, called The One.

Absolut Originality added to limited edition range

Published: 04 October, 2013

This month sees Absolut vodka add another limited edition bottle to its collection.

The Glenlivet tasks consumers with selecting next release

Published: 03 October, 2013

The Glenlivet single malt Scotch whisky is calling on its consumers to select its next limited edition release.

Fair spirits company brings Belize rum to the UK

Published: 03 October, 2013

The Fair spirits company has brought its premium rum to the UK, following success in France.

Maxxium UK announces Vevo partnership for its biggest Sourz ad campaign

Published: 01 October, 2013

Maxxium UK has announced its biggest above the line advertising campaign for its Sourz liqueur brand called 'This is Our Shot' and hopes to target key consumers with a link up with Vevo the video social media site.

LVMH chief said to be looking to his children to succeed him

Published: 01 October, 2013

Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy's chief executive officer, 64-year-old Bernard Arnault, may be grooming both his son Antoine and daughter Delphine as possible successors to the world's largest luxury goods company, according to Bloomberg News Agency.

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

Published: 01 October, 2013

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

La Hechicera rum launches bartender competition

Published: 30 September, 2013

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

Published: 30 September, 2013

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

Published: 27 September, 2013

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

Published: 27 September, 2013

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

Published: 26 September, 2013

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

Published: 26 September, 2013

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

Published: 24 September, 2013

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

Published: 24 September, 2013

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.