US: Brugal rum brand-owner the Edrington Group, their distributors Rémy Cointreau Travel Retail Americas and retailer International Shoppes have combined forces to promote travel retail exclusive Brugal Extra Viejo Reserva and Brugal Añejo Reserva - starting in New York JFK.

Mako Vodka, a nautically themed spirit made using water from “ice-age aquifers” has launched to selected states in the US. 

StarBev has announced ‘significant investments’ in its Staropramen brand, as it eyes international expansion.

Owners of traditional products such as champagne and cognac need to show some humility in their dealings with new emerging markets, according to the president and CEO of Groupe Renaud Cointreau.

Pernod Ricard has announced a joint venture with Tequila Avión to produce and promote the ‘ultra-premium’ tequila brand Avión.

The Glenmorangie Company has released a £2,500 whisky matured in Chateau d’Yquem sauternes casks.

Diageo has launched a £15m global campaign for its Tanqueray gin brand.

Scotch whisky Auchentoshan is looking for entries to The Auchentoshan Switch, a cocktail competition that offers bartenders transatlantic internships.

Rémy Cointreau has completed the sale of all the shares in Piper-Heidsieck-Compagnie Champenoise to the EPI Group (Européenne de Participations Industrielles).

The Vinho Verde Wine Commission (CVRVV), in Portugal, has invested €5m on a three-year global promotion.

Chivas Brothers has launched a US$200,000 whisky as a tribute to the oldest crown jewels in Britain - the Honours of Scotland.

US: Heaven Hill has launched a liqueur called Hpnotiq Harmonie. The new product is an infusion of French vodka, natural fruits, flowers, and cognac.  The mix includes berries, violets and lavender.

Buffalo Trace Distillery has offered the entire 174-bottle release of its Millennium Barrel expression to US charities for auctioning.

Belgiun beer Duvel Green has been renamed Duvel Single Fermentation, in a bid to ease consumer understanding.

A 170-year old bottle of champagne salvaged from a shipwreck in the Baltic Sea has fetched €30,000 at auction.

Diageo subsidiary East African Breweries (EAB) has purchased all of SAB Miller’s 20% shareholding in Kenya Breweries (KB). The transaction is worth US$225 million. The deal is subject to EAB disposing of its 20% shareholding in Tanzania Breweries – by way of public offer through the Dar-es-Salaam Stock Exchange.

Ardbeg has announced the September launch of its new limited release, Ardbeg Alligator, to Europe, Asia and the US.

US: Beam Global and Courvoisier cognac have launched Courvoisier Rosé. The liqueur is a blend of Courvoisier cognac and French 'red wine grapes'. The flavour profile is said to feature "notes of blackberry, blackcurrant and a touch of cherry, complemented by vanilla, honey and vine-peach flavours". The 36 proof liquid (18%abv) is best served chilled or on ice and is available throughout the US for $24.99.

The Distilled Spirits Council in the US (DISCUS) has increased the demographic placement standard in its Code of Responsible Advertising Practices. The change reflects the 2010 Census data, which shows that 71.6% of the US population is 21 years of age and older. The previous demographic was 70%.

The Rémy Cointreau Group has announced the sale of Piper-heidseick – Compangni Champenoise to EPI (Européenne de Participations Industrielles)

Laithwaites, the international wine mail-order company, has released Van Ruiten Old Vine Zinfandel 2008 from California.

Entrants aiming to crack the US market need to take a bold approach, according to a wine importer.

The Bacardi Global Travel Retail Division has announced three director-level appointments in a bid to “create a leadership team with a wealth of experience and global expertise”.

Patrón Spirits has appointed Phil Gervasi, a former VP at Diageo, as executive vice president of sales for North America.

Irish Distillers, the Irish whiskey arm of Pernod Ricard, unveiled two new single pot still Irish whiskeys today (May 5).

Bacardi has crowned the winner of the first Superior Rum Global Legacy Cocktail Competition, in Barcelona.

Pernod Ricard US has announced that Malibu has added Cranberry-Cherry to its range of rum liqueurs, following a vote by consumers.

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

Jim Beam has launched its Red Stag bourbon-based drink in the UK market and in travel retail outlets across Europe.

Christie’s has conducted a 36-hour wine auction in Hong Kong and New York, with sales totalling US$11.2m.

SABMiller subsidiary company Southern Sudan Beverages (SSBL) is to invest US$15m to increase production capacity.

Prowein organiser Messe Düsseldorf has announced record attendance figures for the show held this week, 27-29 March 2011.

Jack Daniels has launched a honey whiskey – the brand’s first launch in nearly a generation.

Team Italy has won the 2011 42 Below Cocktail World Cup.

Cork producer Amorim recorded double-digit volume growth in 2010.

US distributors Glazer’s has appointed Robert Swartz as chief operating officer and Phil Meacham as executive vice president malt beverages.

Brown-Forman has sold its Fetzer wine business to Concha y Toro for US$238 million. The transaction is expected to close in April 2011.

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

Brown-Forman has launched Canadian 'maple wood' whisky, Collingwood, in four US states.

Diageo has reported an 4% increase in organic net sales growth for H2 of 2010, despite a drop of 3% in Europe.

Diageo aims to cut its global carbon emissions by 50% by 2015, while Bacardi has published details of its environmental advancements.

In its fourth edition, the International Cognac Summit (ICS) 2011, attempted to answer the question: can you quantify pleasure when tasting cognac?

Cognac has reported record-breaking shipment figures for 2010. The region reported the value of 2010 shipments to be €1.86 billion.

The US Spirits division of Diageo North America has appointed Mark Hubler as president of Open States and Greg Armstrong president of Control States and National Accounts.

French wine barrel manufacturer, Groupe Charlois, has expanded into the US with the purchase of Winemakers Cooperage (WC) from Treasury Wine Estates.

Saxco, a US-based group of packaging companies affiliated to Saxco International, has appointed James Hartman as quality assurance manager.

Brown-Forman, the major US drinks company, has announced a strategic review with a view to offloading its Californina-based wine assets.

Slovakian spirits group Gas Familia has launched premium vodka Goral Master.

Jameson has reached three million nine litre case sales (MAT ending October 31). According to the brand, growth in the US, Jameson’s largest export market, contributed to its milestone success, with one million cases sold.

Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) is to purchase the global rights for Kauffman vodka.