It is not every day you get to try a whisky that is going to cost a punter £100,000, plus VAT. Today I got to try the Diamond Jubliee by John Walker & So...
UK Sommelier of the Year competition
The Academy of Food and Wine Service (AFWS) has launched its 2012 UK Sommelier of the Year competition.
Finlandia Vodka Cup champion unveiled
Finlandia has selected the 14th champion of its annual international cocktail competition, the Finlandia Vodka Cup.
Four Roses bourbon launches speakeasy
Four Roses bourbon has taken over the downstairs bar at Shaker & Company, London, for the month of February.
Double of Jura
Jura, The Whyte and Mackay single malt, has teamed up with its coffee industry namesake to create a range of whisky and coffee pairings.
Beefeater 24 is now in 50 markets
Pernod Ricard’s super premium gin, Beefeater 24, is now available in 50 markets worldwide.
Pee-controlled video game makes splash
The world’s first pee-controlled video game has been launched, making a splash in south London bar Exhibit.
World's 50 Best Bars magazine now online
The World’s 50 Best Bars supplement is now available to view online.
Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind winner announced
The Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind competition has been been won by David Sinclair of the Gleneagles hotel in Scotland
Best Baltic Sommelier named at Tallinn Grand Prix
The Best Baltic Sommelier has been crowned following the Vana Tallinn Grand Prix 2011 in Tartu, Estonia.
World's 50 Best Bars 2011 announced
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.
Malta: Bartenders' Guild elects new president
Malta: The Maltese Bartenders’ Guild (MBG) has appointed a new president. Wine and spirits retailer Joseph Farrugia took the post in October.
Stella crowns World Draught Master 2011
Stella Artois has crowned its World Draught Master for 2011 following the final of the global competition in Buenos Aires.
Auchentoshan flicks the switch
Glasgow-based whisky brand Auchentoshan completed the UK leg of The Auchentoshan Switch, a cocktail competition that offers two bartenders transatlantic internships.
Shaker rattles and rolls out
Shaker BarSchools, the international bartender training company, has moved into bar operating with the opening of a bar in London.
Jack Daniel's crowns UK champion
Jack Daniel's has crowned the UK champion of its Tennessee-based Birthday Cocktail Competition 2011.
The Glenrothes begins search for Vintage Maker
Scotch whisky brand The Glenrothes is on the look out for would-be distillers in its latest competition, Vinatage Maker 2012.
Pilsner Urquell anoints its master
Czech lager brand Pilsner Urquell has anointed Dubliner Fearghus McCormack as its International Master Bartender 2011.
Nikka names 2nd finalist in Perfect Serve contest
Japanese whisky brand, Nikka, has named the second finalist of its international cocktail competition, The Nikka Perfect Serve.
Lillet launches cocktail comp
French aperitif brand Lillet is looking for entries for its Twisted Vesper Cocktail Competition.
UK: Sage and Onion Gibson is Yorkshire's best
A sage and onion-take on a Gibson has been named best serve at the inaugural Made in Yorkshire cocktail competition.
Raconteur's Allan rises to Broker’s Challenge
Mikey Allan of The Raconteur, has triumphed at Broker’s Gin Cocktail Challenge in Edinburgh, beating off an all-Scottish field of bartenders.
UK: On-trade drinking frequency to rise
UK consumers anticipate a rise in the number of occasions they will 'eat and drink out' over the next six months, according to a survey by Deloitte.
Glenfiddich mastermind search is on
UK: Glenfiddich has launched the 2011 Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind competition. The aim of the game is to find the “trade’s most passionate malt enthusiasts”.
Tales of the Cocktail awards announced
The winners of the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards have been announced.
Olmeca Altos gets the Estes approval
Pernod Ricard brand Olmeca has announced a partnership with tequila ambassador and Mexican restaurant-bar owner Tomas Estes.
Funkin creates bartenders' web portal
Funkin, the UK-based purée brand, has added a trade portal to its website to “enhance engagement” with bartenders.
Auchentoshan charters transatlantic internships
Scotch whisky Auchentoshan is looking for entries to The Auchentoshan Switch, a cocktail competition that offers bartenders transatlantic internships.
Olmeca tequila cocktail winner announced
Pernod Ricard, with its Olmeca tequila brand, has announced the winner of the Tahona Society Margarita contest.
Industry recognises design excellence
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.
UK Bartenders' Guild cocktail comp winner announced
UK: Bruno Do Nascimento from The Bar at The Dorchester hotel has won the UK Bartenders’ Guild cocktail competition.
Monin cocktail contest looks for entrants
UK bartenders are invited to compete in the Monin Cup Cocktail Competition and the winner will represent the UK at the international finals next year.
UK: RumFest adds food theme
UK RumFest is adding a tropical food market to its show this year. The addition of food to the show brings with it a Rum Experience Chef of the Year competition, with a prize of a trip to the Taste Festival in Barbados.
Best bartender revealed at World Class's UK finals
Jamie MacDonald of The Raconteur in Edinburgh has been crowned the UK’s best bartender at the UK final of World Class 2011.
UK: Maker’s Mark rolls out awareness campaign
Maker’s Mark is rolling out its Bourbon & Bespoke campaign in the UK.
Bartender launches Kammerling’s Ginseng Spirit
Kammerling’s Ginseng Spirit is the realisation of Alex Kammerling’s 18-years behind a bar and is the product of five years of development.
G'Vine gin cocktail connoisseur announced
G’Vine has announced the winner of its Gin Connoisseur competition. Gegam Ghazaryan of Xandom Bar in Alicante, Spain took the title after a week of challenges including blending gin, aroma exams and speed drink making. The final took place in G’Vine’s home town of Cognac.
UK: Monin launches bartender comp
UK bartenders are invited to compete in the Monin Cup Cocktail Competition and the winner will represent the UK at the international finals next year.
US: Tennessee to allow spirits sampling
US: Tennesseans are to be given the opportunity to sample distilled spirits at restaurants, bars and liquor stores under new legislation, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS). The state is home to Tennessee whiskey brand Jack Daniels.
UK: Drinks prices rise
The cost of wines and spirits is increasing rapidly as tax increases continue to force up prices, according to the latest market report from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).
Stella's quest for draught master begins
Stella Artois’ seven-month quest to find its “draught master” has begun with the launch of the Quality Draught Masters Programme.
Cherry Heering announces cocktail finalists
The Xanté Company & Peter F Heering have announced the finalists of their Mad Men inspired cocktail competition, which will be part of Manhattan Cocktail Classic (MCC).
Cocktail Challenge results revealed
Drinks International has announced the category winners of the 18th annual Cocktail Challenge.
Bacardi launches bartenders' website
Bacardi has launched True Originals, an online hub for bartenders globally.
Bacardi crowns global cocktail champion
Bacardi has crowned the winner of the first Superior Rum Global Legacy Cocktail Competition, in Barcelona.

