Harpers Global Design Awards 2014: what the judges said

This year saw Harpers' Design Awards go global, with entries featuring a range of products aimed at all levels of the market. From the budget to the luxury, we pick out the medal winners and showcase those products and their designers that stand out from the rest.

Fifth annual London Cocktail Week expects to attract 25,000 people

The fifth annual London Cocktail Week, scheduled for October 6 -12, 2014, is expected to draw up to 25,000 attendees throughout the week.

WSTA chief slams new Sheffield study for ignoring already falling alcohol consumption

The WSTA chief has criticised a new report into minimum pricing which says the measure would be 50 times more effective than the below-cost selling ban, for "ignoring the reality" that alcohol consumption is already falling.

Bombay Sapphire opens distillery doors tomorrow

The new Bombay Sapphire distillery at Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire is set to open its doors to the public tomorrow for the very first time.

Quintessential Brands appoints Francois Quarez as managing director of Essential Drinks

Quintessential Brands has appointed former senior PepsiCo executive Francios Quarez to head operations at its spirits supply firm Essential Drinks Company.

Pernod Ricard releases host of gifting options to boost Christmas sales

Pernod Ricard is planning to plug the "multi-million pound wine and spirits Christmas sales gap" it has identified with one-off releases and gifting sets.  

Glenmorangie releases first 'crowd-sourced' whisky

Glenmorangie is releasing its first 'crowd-sourced' whisky today, which is a limited 12,000 bottle production called Taghta.

British Bottle Company offers expert export service for UK drinks

The British Bottle Company is a new specialist export business dedicated to helping British drinks, including English wine, craft beers and artisanal spirits, gain distribution in key export markets around the world.

Drinks firms face increased costs and red tape over new HMRC fraud rules

Drinks firms face increased red tape and administrative costs for carrying out due diligence as part of a HMRC crackdown on alcohol fraud.

Greenall's releases first new gins in over 250 years

Gin brand Greenall's is launching its first new gins in over 250 years today - a sloe gin and wild berry option.

Diageo's Smirnoff vodka launches £15m campaign

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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