Distil 'optimistic' following Blackwoods gin and vodka success, despite overall fall in turnover

Distil has reported a "satisfactory year" as it completed it transition from UK third distributor to brand-focus drinks company, despite a large fall in turnover.

Brown-Forman to invest $50m to build a distillery on Slane Castle Estate

Brown-Forman the corporation that owns famed American Bourbon brand Jack Daniel's has purchased SlaneCastle Irish Whiskey Limited and plans to invest $50m into the site in Ireland.

Waitrose reports boom in gin sales, as craft and artisan styles increase

Waitrose has seen a surge of gin sales, up 7% on the same time last year, boosted by the growing interest in new styles.

Scotch whisky tourism hits record numbers and worth over £50m a year

Scotch whisky distilleries are attracting record numbers of visitors with over 1.5m people visiting Scotland last year generating more than £50m at distilleries.

Isle of Harris Distillers launches this summer

This summer the Herbridean island's first commercial whisky distiller called the Isle of Harris Distillers is set to launch.

American whiskey category sees 19% value growth in the UK according to Nielsen

American Whiskey is now worth £190m in the UK and saw growth last year of 19% according to Nielsen's most recent beer, wines and spirits data.

Portobello Road Gin launches new limited edition

Artisan gin brand Portobello Road gin is to launch a new limited edition gin, after seeing strong growth and growing international demand. 

Laphroaig to release limited edition 200th anniversary commemorative whisky

In celebration of Laphroaig's 200th anniversary the iconic Islay single malt scotch maker will be releasing a limited edition 15 year old.

Jose Cuervo's Dons of Tequila global bartender competition kicks-off

Last week Jose Cuervo launched its Dons of Tequila competition, which provides the winning bartender the chance to harvest their own agave crop in Mexico and blend their own labelled tequila.

Glenmorangie sells Scotch Malt Whisky Society to focus on its global brands

The Glenmorangie Company has sold the Scotch Malt Whisky Society to a group of private investors.

Bacardi grows its American and Scotch whisky portfolio through acquisition

Bacardi Limited has made two major moves into the whisky category this week with the acquisition of American bourbon brand Angel's Envy and the purchase of a stake in the Compass Box Whisky Co.

Scotch whisky exports fell in 2014, the latest SWA figures reveal

Exports of Scotch whisky last well fell 7% to £3.95bn, according to figures published by the Scotch Whisky Association, compared to £4.26bn in 2013. 

Pernod Ricard's 'black op's' vodka brand announces London team

An urban micro-distillery initiated by Pernod Ricard is set to open in Hackney in June, headed by two local entrepreneurs from outside the spirits industry.

Distillers City Debate to explore how innovative whisky is compared to other categories

Is the whisky category sufficiently innovative and how does it compare with other drinks categories will be the key issues up for debate at the Distillers City Debate 2015 organised by the Worshipful Company of Distillers.

SWA ramps up call to cut duty as domestic sales of whisky fall

Domestic sales of whisky have fallen nearly 5% in the last year, according to new figures from the Scotch Whisky Association.

Artisan gin producers throw weight behind WSTA campaign

Artisan gin distillers have joined the Wine and Spirit Trade Association's campaign calling for a 2% cut in alcohol duty.

Mark Holdsworth, Half Hitch Gin, on breathing new life in to London gin

Camden Lock in north London was once the centre of the capital's gin production. Fifty years after the last distiller moved out, Mark Holdsworth is breathing new life into the area. He talks about craft gin and his plans for Half Hitch with Helen Arnold.

Quintessential buys French spirits producer Lafragette & Legier

Colum Egan, master distiller at Bushmills, predicts a strong future for Irish whiskey

These are excavating times for Irish whiskey in general, and for Bushmills in particular. More than 20 distilleries have either started producing whiskey spirit or about to, the country's whiskey industry is awash with overseas money, and is more vibrant and dynamic than at any time in more than century.

Diageo completes Don Julio Tequila acquisition

Last week Diageo completed the full acquisition and control over Tequila Don Julio from Jose Cuervo in exchange for Bushmills Irish whiskey brand.