Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Scottish multi-buy promotions ban has not hit alcohol sales says new study

Published: 26 November, 2013

Banning multi-buy promotions for alcohol has failed to hit alcohol sales in Scotland, according to a new academic study.

Diageo hopes to prop up United Spirits deal by selling "bulk" of Whyte & Mackay

Published: 25 November, 2013

Diageo is offering to sell off a "bulk" of its Whyte & Mackay whisky brands in order to address concerns the Office of Fair Trade (OFT) has had over competition issues in the British whisky market.

Bowmore offers limited edition 50-year whisky for £16,000 a bottle

Published: 22 November, 2013

Bowmore, founded in 1779 and Islay's first producer of single malt Scotch whisky, is releasing 200 bottles of limited edition, 50-year-old single malt, for £16,000 per bottle.

Greenall's Gin enjoys sales growth as it passes 100,000 cases mark

Published: 18 November, 2013

Greenall's Original London Dry Gin has surpassed the 100,000 nine litre case mark for the first time in the UK. The company said it has almost doubled its volume over the past three years and the brand has grown 33% in volume over the past year, according to Nielsen.

Paris-inspired Grand Marnier limited edition bottle launched for Christmas

Published: 18 November, 2013

Diageo has launched a limited edition bottle for its Cognac and orange liqueur Grand Marnier based on the designs of the famous Parisien architect, Georges-Eugène Haussmann.

Glenfiddich £1000 per bottle limited edition 'Spirit of a Nation' released in the UK

Published: 14 November, 2013

Glenfiddich, in partnership and support of the UK team's Walking with the Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge, will be releasing only 250 bottles of a special limited edition, 29 year-old scotch malt whisky that will retail for rrp £1,000 per bottle.

Baileys launches Christmas campaign

Published: 14 November, 2013

Diageo's cream liqueur brand Baileys is to take to the TV with its first Christmas advert in five years. The theme is a "contemporary twist on Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker ballet" and it was choreographed by Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied.

World Class Bartender competition comes to TV

Published: 13 November, 2013

Diageo's 2013 World Class bartender competition has been made into a four-part TV series, set to air this month.

Sipsmith's V.J.O.P. (Very Junipery Over Proof) Gin

Published: 13 November, 2013

Sipsmith, the first copper pot distillery to open in London for nearly 200 years, is delighted to announce the launch of V.J.O.P. (Very Junipery Over Proof) gin. The spirit will be available to the on-trade and independents across the UK from the middle of November.

Russian Standard Vodka launches multi-million pound TV campaign

Published: 13 November, 2013

Russian Standard is planning to accelerate its UK growth with the launch of its "milestone" multi-million pound TV and cinema adverts.

Pernod Ricard launches UK online store

Published: 11 November, 2013

Pernod Ricard has launched its first online drinks store for the UK market called Sipstor, where consumers can purchase exclusive products from brands such as Absolut, Beefeater, Chivas and Jameson.

Calvados announces sales expected to increase by 50% this year.

Published: 04 November, 2013

This year's National Calvados Week took place from October 14-20 and was organised in association with Père Magloire the leading Calvados exporter in France with the aim of raising awareness of the category in the UK.

Master of Malt launches whisky and gin advent calendars

Published: 01 November, 2013

Whisky and gin lovers will get the chance to enjoy specially created advent calendars from Drinks by the Dram, part of the Master of Malt website which takes bottles of whisky and splits them into 3cl/30ml drams so customers can sample a whisky before committing to buying a bottle.

Ron Zacapa to release first Reserva Limitada

Published: 31 October, 2013

Ron Zacapa, considered to be one of the best premium rums producers in the world, based in Zacapa, Guatemala, is releasing its first limited reserve rum, Reserva Limitada 2013. It will be hitting shelves in mid November at exclusive locations for the festive period.

Consumer confidence hits a six year high

Published: 30 October, 2013

Consumer confidence has jumped to its highest level since 2007, according to new figures released by Nielsen.

Till Britze announced as 2013 winner of Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind

Published: 29 October, 2013

First Drinks has announced the winner of this year's Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind competition as Till Britze of the The Last Word, Edinburgh.

Buffalo Trace Antique Collection hits UK

Published: 28 October, 2013

Distributor Hi Spirits has launched the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection in the UK. Five whiskeys make up the collection from the Kentucky distillery.

Blavod Wines & Spirits share placing raises £571,300

Published: 24 October, 2013

Blackwood's gin owner Blavod Wines & Spirits has raised £571,300 for marketing and brand launches, following a share placing.

Pernod Ricard and Diageo report mixed figures for first quarter performance

Published: 24 October, 2013

First quarter results issued this week have revealed mixed fortunes for the sector's major drinks companies with Pernod Ricard posting an organic net sales loss of 1%, whilst Diageo returned an organic net sales growth of 3.1%.

Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind 2013 finalists announced

Published: 22 October, 2013

The number of finalists competing for the Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind 2013 title has been increased from six to seven, due to the high calibre of the candidates.