Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Diageo collaborates on sustainable glass bottle trial

Published: 08 April, 2021

Diageo has collaborated in a pilot project to pioneer the lowest carbon footprint glass bottles ever produced for a Scotch whisky brand.

Changing market forces push ‘more modern’ whisky breed to the front

Published: 06 April, 2021

Changing market forces are pushing a new, more modern breed of whisky to the forefront, with the evolving category landscape encouraging producers to innovate, according to new IWSR research.

Scotch whisky tariffs suspended

Published: 04 March, 2021

The US has lifted tariffs on Scotch whisky for four months as leaders enter into negotiations to put a long-term solution in place.

Academic study proves terroir’s influence on whisky

Published: 17 February, 2021

A new academic study has provided “conclusive proof” of terroir’s influence on whisky, potentially paving the way for an Appellation Controlée system for whisky in the same way as wine.

Master of Malt launches own-label spirits

Published: 16 December, 2020

Master of Malt has unveiled its first own-brand collection spanning blended Scotch whisky, London dry gin, rum and vodka.

New Horizons Q&A: Archie McDiarmid, Luvians

Published: 09 December, 2020

With an end game to the coronavirus in sight sometime in 2021 as vaccine rollouts begin and up-to-the-wire Brexit uncertainties playing out an extraordinarily tough year, Harpers has been canvassing drinks businesses as to their predictions for trade deep into the new year.

SWA backs Mexico-UK spirits accord

Published: 01 December, 2020

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has welcomed the announcement of the Mexico-UK Spirits Agreement.

Historic whisky up for auction

Published: 18 November, 2020

A bottle of The Macallan 50-year old anniversary malt whisky is to form the centrepiece of Brightwells’ November auction.

UK spirits exports face huge strain

Published: 13 October, 2020

The UK’s burgeoning spirits industry has taken a hit, with exports significantly down in the first half of 2020.

English Whisky Society officially launched as part of first festival

Published: 01 October, 2020

The English Whisky Society is gearing up for its official launch as part of the first English Whisky Festival to date.

Opinion: What if Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible reviews were written by a woman?

Published: 28 September, 2020

Backlash around sexually charged descriptions used in critic Jim Murray’s annual Whisky Bible has ignited debates around the double standard for the treatment of men and women both inside and outside of the whisky industry.

Scotch whisky industry launches Diversity and Inclusivity Charter

Published: 28 September, 2020

The Scotch Whisky industry is this week launching its Diversity and Inclusivity Charter in a series of events led by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Chivas chief slams Scots govt for whisky sector lockdown failure

Published: 03 September, 2020

The Scottish government failed to support the Scottish whisky industry at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Jean-Christophe Coutures, the chairman and chief executive of Chivas Brothers, has said.

Scotland's secret whisky heritage to be uncovered

Published: 27 August, 2020

National Trust Scotland has partnered with Glenlivet to uncover the lost history of Scotland’s illicit stills.

WSTA maps out UK visitor centres for thirsty ‘staycationers’

Published: 24 August, 2020

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has launched an interactive map of distilleries and wineries that are open to the public in the UK.

SWA publishes revised industry marketing code

Published: 30 July, 2020

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has published the fourth edition of its Code of Practice for the Responsible Marketing and Promotion of Scotch Whisky.

Whisky.Auction raises in excess of £100,000 for The Drinks Trust

Published: 16 April, 2020

The Whisky.Auction has raised a grand total of £104,184 via its charity auction in support of The Drinks Trust’s Covid-19 Emergency Fund.

Wine and whisky investment bounce back in China

Published: 15 April, 2020

Global trader BI Fine Wine & Spirits has reported that its volume sales of high-end wine and rare whisky to Asia jumped 25% in March as Chinese buyers returned to the market.

Budget: Coronavirus relief for SMEs and employees

Published: 11 March, 2020

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered a bold response to the coronavirus crisis in his 11 March budget, with a raft of measures to support SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and their employees.