Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Taking rum to the next level

Published: 11 March, 2019

With rum in ascendancy, Harpers’ Think Rum panel debated how best to educate both trade and consumer as to the diversity and versatility of the category

Rum’s challenges and opportunities are clearly visible in the on-trade, where it is widely championed by bartenders and misunderstood by consumers. Jo Gilbert sets out to explore the many ways thisclassic party drink is unlocking its full potential

Proof Drinks appoints former Hi-Spirits chairman as MD

Published: 25 October, 2018

Drinks brand owner and distributor Proof Drinks is gearing up for the next phase of its growth as the company confirms the appointment of Jeremy Hill as managing director.

Matugga Distillers prepares to start production

Published: 23 October, 2018

A new family-run £100,000 rum distillery in central Scotland is preparing to start production.

Usain Bolt London restaurant to offer 150 rums and dedicated rum bar

Published: 25 September, 2018

Usain Bolt’s restaurant, Tracks & Records, which is set to open in London next month, will boast over 150 rums – 100 of which are Jamaican.

Emporia Brands expands rum portfolio

Published: 06 August, 2018

Emporia Brands has expanded its portfolio with a raft of rums alongside a mustard liqueur.

Distribution switch-up at Halewood Wines & Spirits

Published: 04 May, 2018

Halewood Wines & Spirits has announced a number of changes to its line-up while revealing a new spirits focus for its agency business.

Halewood acquires Dead Man’s Fingers as rum sales soar

Published: 06 February, 2018

Halewood Wines & Spirits has acquired spiced rum brand Dead Man’s Fingers for an undisclosed sum.

Think Rum reveals this year’s winners

Published: 05 February, 2018

Think Rum revealed the winners of this year’s awards at the second annual event held last week, with Sly Augustin taking the prestigious Rum Champion of the Year gong and the Best Individual Rum Bar award.

UK distillery number doubles in five years

Published: 17 January, 2018

The number of UK distilleries in the UK has doubled in the past five years, boosted by the gin boom.

WSTA predicts rum sales to have smashed £1bn barrier

Published: 02 January, 2018

UK rum sales are predicted to have broken the £1bn barrier at the end of last year for the first time.

Trends of 2017

Published: 20 December, 2017

There has been no shortage of evolution in the drinks world over the past year, providing canny operators with plenty of openings for upping customer engagement. Andrew Catchpole reports

Think Rum's Peter Holland asks 'Do you really know it all?'

Published: 27 November, 2017

It’s almost time for our Think Rum event, which will once again kick off the New Year with a day of debates, tastings and presentations to delve deeper into this incredibly versatile and increasingly popular category.

Beam Suntory gives Cruzan rum premium revamp

Published: 13 September, 2017

Beam Suntory has given its ‘super’ premium Cruzan Distiller’s Collection a makeover designed to set it apart from its cheaper, fruit-flavoured stable mate.

Rum set to break £1 billion barrier

Published: 26 August, 2017

Hot on the heels of gin, rum is the latest spirit set to reach sales of £1 billion later this year.

Quintessential Brands wins Cockspur distribution deal

Published: 10 August, 2017

Quintessential Brands has signed a deal as the UK distributor for Cockspur rum.

New look limited edition for Sailor Jerry as spiced rum continues soar

Published: 10 August, 2017

William Grant & Sons has unveiled a new limited-edition bottle design for premium spiced rum, Sailor Jerry.

Mangrove launch takes inspiration from the West Country's literary past

Published: 01 August, 2017

Premium spirits distributor Mangrove has released a new rum which draws on the setting which inspired a Daphne du Maurier novel.

Castro’s rum heads to London

Published: 19 July, 2017

London-based agency Spirit Cartel has been taken on to distribute Isla del Tesoro rum, which for 50 years was made for controversial Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro’s personal consumption.

Rio Ferdinand captains new Captain Morgan push

Published: 10 May, 2017

Diageo has signed ex-England football captain Rio Ferdinand to head up a new global TV campaign for the rum brand.
The commercial, which kicks off today in the UK, features Ferdinand and brand ambassador Captain Morgan, and is focused on the former’s insatiable appetite for ‘fun and infectious’ humour. T