Vodka - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Schreil to head Absolut production as Asplund steps down after more than three decades

Published: 25 June, 2015

For the first time in 33 years there's to be a change in the person in charge of making Absolut vodka.

Glasgow spirit shop branches out into wine and beer

Published: 22 June, 2015

Glasgow independent The Good Spirits Co has opened a second shop in the city.

NB hopes world will take note of 'first' London Dry citrus vodka

Published: 17 June, 2015

A Scottish distiller has created what it claims is the world's first London dry citrus vodka.

Absolut takes on rainbow colours to celebrate LGBT links

Published: 16 June, 2015

Absolut vodka is celebrating its links with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community with its latest special pack.

Stolichnaya grasps the spirit of Ibiza in hotel deal

Published: 12 June, 2015

Stolichnaya Russian vodka is using a new campaign to position itself as the "vodka of Ibiza", the holiday destination of choice for party people.

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

Published: 04 June, 2015

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.

Crystal head vodka launches in 50cl miniatures

Published: 26 May, 2015

The Crystal Head vodka has launched in 50cl miniature bottles, which supplier Bibendum says will open up new opportunities for a fast-growing brand.

Brown-Forman launches "LBD" vodka-based spirit in the UK

Published: 07 May, 2015

Brown-Forman launched LBD, a vodka-base spirit with a range of flavours following the success of the brand in the US.

Absolut vodka to modernise its iconic bottle

Published: 29 April, 2015

Absolut is making design changes to its iconic bottle that helped make the brand famous in 1979, "making it ready to face the future."

Former Bibendum head of spirits launches new distribution business

Published: 22 April, 2015

The former head of Bibendum's beer and spirits division is launching his own spirits distribution business in May.

SPI Group 'extremely disappointed' by Dutch ruling returning Stolichnaya brand to Russia

Published: 27 March, 2015

Spirit International said it was "extremely disappointed" that a Dutch court has ordering the company to hand control of three vodka brands back to the Russia state-owned monopoly.

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

Published: 25 March, 2015

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.

Diageo puts innovation 'at the heart' of its UK commercial strategy

Published: 23 March, 2015

Diageo is stepping up its commitment to innovation as part of a commercial strategy that will see levels of npd boosted across its drinks portfolio.

Cîroc vodka is first alcohol brand to launch Instagram advertisements

Published: 27 February, 2015

C&icircroc vodka is set to be the first alcohol brand to launch paid for advertising on Instagram, as it kicks off a six week campaign today.

Nielsen confirms sparkling wine and major spirits categories as big Christmas winners

Published: 16 January, 2015

Nielsen has confirmed that sparkling wine and the main spirits categories were the big winners during Christmas 2014.

James Bond returns to vodka - Belvedere vodka for new Spectre film

Published: 16 December, 2014

Bond is back and this time's he's drinking vodka. Belvedere vodka to be exact.

Grey Goose takes over London Tube station with huge ad

Published: 15 December, 2014

Grey Goose vodka has taken over the full length of London's Bank Underground Station with the "largest piece of single advertising creative" in UK history in the run-up to Christmas.

P Diddy looks to grow wine and spirits business

Published: 21 November, 2014

Famed rapper and businessman Sean 'Diddy' Combs has recently grown his partnership with Diageo to include De León tequila as well as Ciroc vodka, and has plans to further boost the portfolio.

Dia Simms, the woman behind P Diddy's drinks ventures, on why their spirits mean business

Published: 21 November, 2014

Starting off as Sean 'Diddy' Combs personal chief of staff, Dia Simms is now the executive vice president of Ciroc Vodka & Innovations, at the newly-formed Combs Wine & Spirits.Gemma McKenna catches up with Simms and finds out what the pair have planned for the expansion of the drinks empire.