Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

First rum festival to launch in Manchester

Published: 06 January, 2017

Manchester is to host its first city-wide rum festival, run by event curator and drinks consultant, Dave Marsland, also known as the Drinks Enthusiast.

Bacardi expands global leadership team

Published: 29 November, 2016

Spirit behemoth Bacardi has appointed a new senior vice president and global chief communications officer.

Morrisons targets premium spirits segment with Ableforth's listings

Published: 14 October, 2016

Morrisons is to list two new spirits from Kent-based distillery Ableforth's across 300 of its stores.

"Irresponsible" Diageo Captain Morgan ad banned

Published: 31 August, 2016

Drinks giant Diageo has got itself into hot water over its May Captain Morgan TV ad for implying that drinking the rum could increase confidence and popularity.

Boutique RumFest and RumFest unveil programme for October events

Published: 24 August, 2016

RumFest, which celebrates its tenth year this year, and the Boutique RemFest, which is a trade only event, will be hosted in London at the end of October.

The rise of rum Part 3: Shedding the "pirates and parties" image

Published: 19 August, 2016

While rum is making gains in the bar and club scene providing appealing highs for party-loving millennials, its image as a hip party drink needs to be balanced with its credibility as a quality spirit if it wants to surpass expectations.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 19 August, 2016

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

The Rise of Rum Part 2: Reaching a new generation

Published: 17 August, 2016

In an increasingly tough economic landscape, some have speculated that rum's rise in popularity could be down to something as simple as its ability to give consumers a taste profile allied to its appealing sugar cane origins

Insights: The rise of rum

Published: 17 August, 2016

Spiced rums and quality sipping products are driving the thirst for a taste of the Caribbean.

The Rise of Rum Part 1: Spice is king

Published: 16 August, 2016

Today is National Rum Day, so what could be better than to bring the first installment of our three part Rise of Rum series which looks in depth at this growing category.

Rum taking centre stage at Wray's Jamaican festival

Published: 01 August, 2016

Wray's Jerk Fest, a free, one-day event celebrating Jamaican culture is coming to Peckham on August 6 where it be hosted by Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum.

Whiskey, rum and vodka triumph against the odds to beat gin in consumer poll

Published: 27 May, 2016

Vodka, whiskey and rum have dominated a campaign to find the nation's favourite craft spirits - despite gin making up 80% of the entries.

Jamaican rum's master blender witnesses technology revolution during 35-year career

Published: 26 May, 2016

Joy Spence, master blender at Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum, has seen rum production revolutionised over the course of three-and-a-half decades in her chosen field.

Launch of new Plantation rum into the UK with Pineapple Society

Published: 12 May, 2016

Maison Ferrand is expanding its range of premium Plantation rums by releasing its Plantation Pineapple Stiggins' Fancy 1824 Recipe into the UK.

Birmingham Rum Festival to drive growth of "party" spirit

Published: 28 April, 2016

Birmingham's first full-scale festival of rum is coming to the city this summer.

Around the Globe cocktail menu at London's oldest hotel

Published: 25 April, 2016

The Donovan Bar in Brown's Hotel, Mayfair, is launching a jet-set new cocktail menu showcasing mixology innovations from around the world

New premium packaging for Wood's Old Navy Rum

Published: 20 April, 2016

Wood's Old Navy Rum has undergone an identity overhaul to update its "dated" packaging.

#HotCraftSpirits campaign to partner with online drinks retailer 31Dover.com

Published: 01 April, 2016

Specialist online drinks retailer 31Dover.com has partnered with Twitter campaign #HotCraftSpirits, which is seeking to identify the most popular craft spirit brands in the UK.

Matugga Rum launches into French market

Published: 29 March, 2016

British premium craft rum, Matugga Rum, has signed an exclusive distribution deal with Société Dugas, one of France's leading distributors of premium and artisan spirits.