Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Recent decline in Scotch whisky exports slowing

Published: 23 May, 2016

Scotch whisky export value was down 2.4% in 2015 totalling £3.86 billion in custom value, but it is good news as the decline in recent years is slowing.

Halewood adds pre-mix cans to Red Square portfolio

Published: 23 May, 2016

Red Square Vodka is branching out into the pre-mixed category to extend its reach to a new, younger customer base.

Asia to claim two-thirds of global beverage consumption by 2021

Published: 23 May, 2016

By 2021 Asia is predicted to consume two-thirds of the world's beverages, with China alone responsible for one-third of the additional volume.

Daffy's partners with F1 Manor Racing team for limited edition gin

Published: 20 May, 2016

Daffy's gin has partner with F1 Manor Racing team and is releasing its first limited edition bottling of just 2,500 bottles being produced.

Sainsbury's to simplify pricing as it prepares to axe multibuy deals

Published: 19 May, 2016

Sainsbury's are dropping multibuys from their in store promotions and rounding up 99p price points in a bid to encourage customers to trade-up.

Pernod Ricard and Irish Distillers sell Paddy Irish Whiskey to US company

Published: 18 May, 2016

Pernod Ricard and Irish Distillers have finalised the sale of Paddy Irish Whiskey, to US family-owned drinks company Sazerac.

WSET launches redesigned Level 1 Award in Spirits

Published: 17 May, 2016

As part of a major shake-up of its courses, which includes the separation of wine from spirits in its advanced qualification, the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has unveiled a redesigned Level 1 (L1) Award in Spirits.

Is "small-batch" and "craft" gin the same thing?

Published: 17 May, 2016

Since the gin renaissance took off with a vengeance in 2010, the terms "craft" and "small-batch" have, in many cases, become one and the same.

Analysis: Brand equity is critical in an increasingly saturated gin market

Published: 17 May, 2016

In an increasingly saturated gin market building brands, like Sipsmith and Langley's Gin, with a long-term vision could not be more important.

Third annual Ginposium 2016 sells out

Published: 16 May, 2016

The third annual Ginposium 2016 was hosted on the 12 May at the London Transport Museum in Convent Garden which sold out with 120 delegates attending the technical conference.

Spike in gin and rosé sales at Waitrose as bbq season kicks off

Published: 16 May, 2016

A surprisingly warm early start to May was reflected in an increase in sales of gin (up 15%) and rosé wine (up 39 per cent) at Waitrose.

Milk-based vodka to launch into US and Australia with new appointment

Published: 16 May, 2016

Black Cow Pure Milk Vodka has brought on board a new global sales director to help launch the spirit into new key markets worldwide.

New Scottish gin brand smells its way to success

Published: 13 May, 2016

A new Scottish gin brand is hoping to unlock gin-lovers taste buds by appealing to their sense of smell.

Amathus unveils fast-aged Bourbon

Published: 13 May, 2016

UK-based distributor Amathus is launching a new whiskey bourbon drink which uses a technique to accelerate the maturation process

Debt dispute between Diageo and former United Spirits boss continues

Published: 13 May, 2016

British alcohol giant Diageo Plc has submitted details of its agreement with USL's former boss Vijay Mallya to a debt tribunal.

Could leaving the EU apply the brakes to the gin boom?

Published: 13 May, 2016

Leaders in the gin industry gathered to highlight the dangers Brexit poses to the millions of bottles of gin exported to the EU each year if the UK leaves the single market.

Launch of new Plantation rum into the UK with Pineapple Society

Published: 12 May, 2016

Maison Ferrand is expanding its range of premium Plantation rums by releasing its Plantation Pineapple Stiggins' Fancy 1824 Recipe into the UK.

Az Valor supports Amaral in Stock Spirits row

Published: 12 May, 2016

AZ Valor Partners have come out in support of Western Gate's proposals to nominate two candidates to the board of Stock Spirits.

Gruppo Campari Q1 results dampened by currency effects

Published: 10 May, 2016

Gruppo Campari results released yesterday show net sales remained flat at €327.4m for the first quarter of 2016, with organic growth offset by a negative exchange rate effects.