Brintex, organisers of the London International Wine Fair (LIWF), have announced  the appointment of Ross Carter as exhibition director, replacing James Murray who resigned after 10 years in the role.

Lee Potter Cavanagh of Mark’s Bar at HIX in London is this year’s Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind.

A rare bottle of Rémy Martin Black Pearl cognac estimated to be worth between £5,000 and £7,000 is up for auction in London.

Wemyss Malts has released Darnley’s View Spiced Gin to Europe and selected Asian markets, with the US to follow.

The annual London International Wine Fair, with its spirits arm DISTIL, starts today. Hamish Smith rounds up the best of its offerings  

Meantime Brewing Company is to open “London’s biggest new brewery since 1936”. The new facility is to quadruple Meantime’s beer production capacity to 100,000 hectolitres and will host a visitor’s centre and shop.

UK: Chivas Brothers has signed a five-year partnership deal between its scotch brand Royal Salute and the royal gun salutes at the Tower of London. The first of which will be for the Queen’s Jubilee in June.

Mount Gay Rum Distilleries and UK distributor First Drinks have appointed Miguel Smith as European brand ambassador for Mount Gay Rum.

Pernod Ricard UK is hoping the release of Absolut London in time for the Olympics and the Queen’s diamond jubilee will lift sales of the brand by 10%.

Pernod Ricard’s super premium gin, Beefeater 24, is now available in 50 markets worldwide.

Pernod Ricard UK has announced the launch of a Beefeater ‘Forever London’ limited-edition pack, aimed at celebrating the brand’s heritage.

 The 2011 World’s 50 Best Bars list has been published, in partnership with sponsor Stolichnaya. This year, New York speakeasy PDT (Please Don’t Tell) took the top spot, with London hotel bars The Connaught and the Artesian in second and third place. 

Shaker BarSchools, the international bartender training company, has moved into bar operating with the opening of a bar in London.

Diageo has extended the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project campaign with the release of city and country-themed bottles to selected global markets.

Brown-Forman Duty Free has made four senior-level appointments, effective immediately.

Pernod Ricard, with its Olmeca tequila brand, has announced the winner of the Tahona Society Margarita contest.

The Restaurant and Bar Design Awards recognised "excellence" in design and architecture in the global hospitality industry yesterday, at a ceremony in Canary Wharf, London.

The International Wine and Spirits Institute (IWSI), based in Bordeaux, is to open an eight-week spirits training programme in London next year.

Two of London’s bartenders drew swords in San Francisco in the final of the No. 209 Gin Duel.

Scotch brand Chivas Regal and designer Vivienne Westwood have collaborated to launch a new limited edition whisky.

Amaretto brand Disaronno has hosted the final of its first Mixing Star cocktail competition in London.

A London speakeasy has been named the best bar in the world, according to an industry poll.

The inaugural London Cocktail Week (LCW) has begun - a seven-day event of shows, pop-up bars, parties, classes and tastings.

The 2010 global Tax Stamp Forum is to take place in London in June.