Brown-Forman may acquire Whyte & Mackay, not Rémy Cointreau

Last week Rémy Cointreau' stocks spiked on speculation that Brown-Forman was a possible interested buyer, however reports have surfaced that Brown-Forman is a possible bidder for the Whyte & Mackay business which is currently up for sale.

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

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.

Quintessential acquires First Ireland cream liqueurs firm

Quintessential Brands has acquired First Ireland Spirits Company, Ireland's largest independent producer of Irish cream liqueurs, in a multi-million euro deal.

?Chivas whisky's education programme drives growth

Scotch whisky brand Chivas Regal has seen strong growth over the past year thanks to an education programme on blended whiskies

?Ardbeg to release limited edition 'Auriverdes' as its tribute to the Brazilian World Cup

Auriverdes is a 2014 limited edition Scotch whisky produced by Islay's Ardbeg Distillery that plays tribute to the World Cup taking place in Brazil this summer. It is being released to coincide with Ardbeg Day on May 31.

Tennessee whiskey repeal bill shot down - for now

The proposed bill challenging the definition of Tennessee whiskey was temporarily laid to rest earlier this week as state lawmakers voted to shelve consideration of the bill until the summer.  

Adnams Cellar & Kitchen retail sales up 6%

Adnams Cellar & Kitchen retail business saw a 6% increase like-for-like sales for the year to December 2013.

?William Grant appoints Rob Allanson as global ambassador

Rob Allanson joins William Grant & Sons Ltd. as the new global ambassador for Grant's Blended Scotch Whisky.

UK wine industry is not on same footing as beer, cider and whisky, says Wilson Drinks Report

The UK wine industry is unlikely to receive the same kind of duty cuts awarded to the beer, cider and Scotch whisky industries in this week's Budget as most of the wine drunk in this country is imported.

Battle over Tennessee Bourbon whiskey intensifies

Both Diaego and Brown-Forman have made headlines in recent days over a battle that is brewing in the south of the US over what exactly is the appropriate definition of Tennessee Bourbon whiskey.

Owners of Bladnoch whisky distillery go into liquidation

Scotland's most southerly distillery Bladnoch is up for sale as a going concern following news that its parent company has entered administration.

Campari acquires Canadian whiskey brand for $170 million

Gruppo Campari has reached an agreement to acquire Canada's fastest-growing whiskey brand Forty Creek Distillery, for US$170 million.

Duty escalator to blame for shrinking Scotch sales in UK

The UK market for Scotch whisky has contracted by 3% in the last year as duty increases put pressure on the industry.

Indie rock band the 1975 to headline Bushmills gig

Irish whiskey brand Bushmills' third annual Bushmills Live gig will be headlined by up and coming indie rock band the 1975.

New Scottish whisky region to be created on the Island of Harris in the Outer Hebrides

A new whisky region is being created with the buildilng of the first distillery on the Island of Harris in the Outer Hebrides.

Scotch whisky verification scheme at risk if independence goes ahead

A British government scheme set up in January to help consumers identify genuine UK-made products could be at risk should Scotland vote for independence.

Loch Lomond Distillery Company acquired by private equity

Scotch whisky industry seeks clarity over independence

The Scotch whisky industry is asking for clarity from both the UK and Scottish governments ahead of the independence referendum on what it would mean for business.

Speyburn Distillery plans £4m expansion

Speyburn Distillery is to double its production with a £4 million expansion to cope with growing global demand for Scotch whisky.

Weak rand helps South Africa's Distell's sales