Vodka - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

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.

Arbikie, Scotland's newest farm-to-bottle distillery, kicks off with potato vodka

Published: 13 November, 2014

A super-premium Scottish potato vodka is to be the first spirit produced by Arbikie, Scotland's newest farm-to-bottle distillery.

Christmas Report: how vodka can drive festive profits

Published: 10 November, 2014

Vodka commands the lion's share of the spirits sector, with over 30% of total sales; not only is it the most widely drunk spirit in the UK, but it is outstripping the overall spirits sector, with annual growth of 4.4%. Helen Arnold reports.

Christmas Report: why premium spirits are key for festive sales

Published: 07 November, 2014

Premium spirits are a crucial selling feature of the festive season. Helen Arnold explains why:

Matthew Clark sees British drinks soar in popularity

Published: 21 October, 2014

On-trade drinks supplier Matthew Clark has seen sales of English wines soar by 53% in the past year, with home-grown beers and spirits following suit.