Scotch whisky is in oversupply. Analysis from Duncan McFadzean and Martin Purvis’s Commercial Spirits Intelligence estimates that in 2026 cumulative surplus production is approximately 1.6 billion litres. In simpler terms, production has overshot demand.
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Popular Edinburgh consumer wine event Fizz Feast is set to host its first ever trade preview on Friday 27 November, with all proceeds going to The Drinks Trust.
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Edinburgh’s on-trade has experienced a “bit of a boom” since the Covid pandemic, believes Stuart Skea, Harpers Top 50 Sommelier and head somm at Michelin-starred Lyla. The restaurant opened its doors in 2023, for example, quickly gaining rewards and renown in the three years since.
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New research from researchers at Heriot-Watt University’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling found that by increasing wash strength, distilleries could reduce emissions by up to 16%.
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William Grant & Sons (WG&S) has released its results for the year ending 31 December 2025, detailing a difficult year as challenging headwinds continue to prevail.
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The Scottish government has announced its support for the #VATsTheProblem campaign, which aims to cut VAT on hospitality to 10%.
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Workers at Diageo’s Cameronbridge distillery are set to strike after a dispute over the drinks giant’s plans to slash jobs across its operations.
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Whisky and brewing specialist Lisa Matthews has been appointed assistant blender at Islay's Bruichladdich, also becoming its first woman distiller, marking what the Scotch producer called “the latest chapter” in its commitment to developing the next generation of whisky makers.
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Douglas Wood – who set up WoodWinters in 2005 – has had to resign as director of the wine merchant after he was found guilty of sexual assault in a Scottish court.
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From today (24 July) a ‘zero for zero’ tariff regime has come into effect for scotch whisky entering the US.
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Isle of Arran Distillers – producers of Arran Single Malt and Lagg Single Malt – has announced a new exclusive UK distribution and ‘brand-building’ partnership with Chimera Brand Development.
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In a well needed boost for the hospitality industry, data from hospitality technology firm Zonal can reveal that pub bookings are up 293% year-on-year when comparing today (17 June) with the same day last year.
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The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) has repeated its call for the Scottish government to introduce a dedicated cabinet secretary or minister for tourism.
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The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) has released an open letter addressed to Scotland’s next MSPs just days before the Scottish Parliamentary election, due to take place this Thursday (7 May).
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US president Donald Trump has announced that tariffs on Scotch whisky and other controls will be removed following King Charles’ visit to the United States.
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Twenty-seven years of devolved powers for the Scottish Parliament have seen distinct laws arise – be that in health, policing or education. For the drinks trade, a decisive devolved power was that of alcohol licensing. This eventually saw the implementation of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. The landmark legislation came into effect in 2009 and saw a number of changes, including the limiting of alcohol off-sales to between 10am and 10pm, and the addition of the licensing objective of “protecting and improving public health”.
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Harpers caught up with the ‘hair of the dog’ mezcal brand founder, who explains why he chose to introduce artisanal mezcal to Scotland.
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Loch Lomond Brewery-owned Levenbank Distillery has unveiled that its first ever scotch bottling is now up for pre-sale. The Dumbarton-based business’s inaugural single grain whisky will hit the market in 2029.
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Scotch whisky producer Domhayn is launching a fundraising campaign to carry out an experiment exposing a spirit-filled cask to “deep sea” pressures – equivalent to 1,000 fathoms or 1,830m below sea level.
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New research from financial advisory firm BTG can reveal that 69 distillers in Scotland – almost 20% of the total – are facing financial distress.
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