Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Johnnie Walker master blender awarded OBE

Published: 10 June, 2019

Dr Jim Beveridge, Johnnie Walker’s master blender, has been awarded an OBE for his outstanding service to the Scotch whisky industry.

FDF reports biggest first quarter on record for UK food and drink exports

Published: 05 June, 2019

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has reported a 10.7% year on year increase in the exports of UK food and drink to £5.8bn for the first quarter of 2019, boosted by strong performances from whisky, gin and wine.

SWA secures trademark for Scotch in South Korea

Published: 07 May, 2019

Scotland’s national drink has secured enhanced legal protection in South Korea after the Scotch Whisky Association’s (SWA) application to register “Scotch Whisky” as a Certification Trademark was successful.

Scotch Whisky fuels the UK by £5.5bn

Published: 30 April, 2019

Scotch Whisky now contributes £5.5billion to the UK economy, up 10% since 2016, according to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Fine Wine beats hedge funds and art works as stable investment

Published: 11 April, 2019

Fine wine is a less volatile investment than all other major alternative assets, according to a new report released today by fine wine investment management specialist Cult Wines.

Vermouth and Japanese whisky among top serves in high-end London bars

Published: 09 April, 2019

Vermouth and Japanese whisky are among the most fashionable drinks in London’s top high-end bars, according to the latest CGA and DrinkUp.London's 2018 Influencers Report.

SWA doubles support to projects combatting alcohol misuse

Published: 05 April, 2019

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced it will to double its support to projects that work to combat alcohol misuse to £1 million

Food and drink exports growth slows to crawl but gin and whisky fly the flag

Published: 25 March, 2019

Overall UK food and drinks exports slowed to a crawl in 2018, but gin and whisky continued to fly the flag – each growing in both value and volume.

Japan: ready to launch

Published: 13 March, 2019

Thanks to two key trade deals, Japan has increased its reach to a billion people so far in 2019. Jo Gilbert looks at the knock-on effect for the country’s drinkable exports

Gin and Scotch exports hit record highs

Published: 13 February, 2019

UK gin export sales exceeded £600 million in 2018 - a new record and up 15% on the previous year, according to new figures released by HMRC.

Diageo targets new Scotch fans with voice-activated tech

Published: 18 December, 2018

The traditional world of Scotch whisky and Amazon’s voice-activated Alexa system are due to collide this Christmas.

Scotch Whisky Association takes action on alcohol misuse

Published: 17 December, 2018

Thirteen projects set up to tackle alcohol misuse in Scotland have been granted awards by the Scotch Whisky Action Fund.

Edrington sells Cutty Sark to La Martiniquaise-Bardinet

Published: 28 November, 2018

Edrington has sold its Cutty Sark Scotch Whisky brand to La Martiniquaise-Bardinet for an undisclosed sum.

Thinking outside the wine barrel: 1000 Stories creator Bob Blue talks bourbon barrel-aged Zinfandel

Published: 16 November, 2018

From his upbringing in the Church of Christian Science to bourbon barrel aged Zinfandel range 1000 Stories, Bonterra head winemaker Bob Blue has led and continues to lead a colourful life.

William Grant & Sons appoints new UK marketing director

Published: 08 November, 2018

William Grant & Sons has appointed Ifan Jenkins to the role of marketing director for UK and Ireland.

Haig Club aims to shatter whisky myths with new push

Published: 23 October, 2018

Diageo’s Haig Club aims to shatter whisky drinking myths in a new print ad campaign featuring David Beckham.

Double-digit growth for Scotch Whisky exports

Published: 18 October, 2018

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has reported double-digit growth in exports of Scotch Whisky boosted by an increasing popularity of single malt.

SWA calls on Chancellor to support Scotch

Published: 11 October, 2018

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has called on the government not to increase excise duty in the Autumn Budget.

Think Whisky 2018: Wising up to whisky

Published: 08 October, 2018

Despite being the second biggest spirits category in the UK, accounting for 21% of sales (Nielsen/CGA, year to June 2018), big opportunities exist for whisk(e)y if it can grow engagement with women and younger adults, who currently shy away from the category.