SAB completes strategic alliance with Anadolu
Turkey: SAB Miller, Anadolu Group and Anadolu Efes have completed the transfer of SAB Miller's Russian and Ukrainian beer businesses in the context of their strategic alliance for Turkey, Russia, the CIS, Central Asia and the Middle East, which was originally announced on October 19, 2011.
Australia: SAB Miller loses Corona Extra
SAB Miller's Australian subsidiary, Foster's Group will no longer be allowed to import and distribute Mexican beer Corona Extra. Foster's has been informed by Corona's parent company Grupo Modelo that it intends to terminate Foster's licence to import and distribute Corona Extra in Australia with immediate effect. The brand's distribution will go to Lion Nathan.
Glenfiddich 19 Year Old Madeira finish is launched
William Grant has launched its first ever Glenfiddich19 year old single malt scotch whisky, which has been matured in Madeira wine oak casks.
Accolade launches premium Hardys wine
Accolade has launched a new wine under the Hardys brand at ProWein, Germany.
Glenfiddich launches first ever vatted vintage reserve
William Grant has released Glenfiddich’s first-ever vatted ‘vintage reserve’, the 1974 Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve which the company claims was selected by a global panel of 16 experts.
Beam rolls out Skinnygirl wine and flavoured vodka
US: Beam has expanded its Skinnygirl range to include wine, a range of flavoured vodkas and a Piña Colada.
Rexam to roll out Teacher’s ready to drink can for India
Rexam, the can maker, has announced that it has been chosen by Beam Global Spirits and Wine India to provide the can for its new Teacher's ready-to-drink variant.
Australian vintage is exceptional
Australian wine producer Australian Vintage (AVL) has hailed the 2012 vintage from the Sunraysia and the Riverland wine region as ‘exceptional’ and one of the best in the past two decades.
Bols calls for bartender competition entries
The Bols brand is calling for entries into its Bols Around the World global bartending competition.
Gallo launches a film club
Gallo Family Vineyards, the Californian wine producer, has launched the Gallo Film Club.
Absolut London makes timely arrival
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%.
Jameson goes global for St Patrick's Day
Irish Distillers has announced its St Patrick's Day plans for Jameson.
Arran's The Eagle lands in global markets
Scotch whisky producer Isle of Arran Distillers has furthered its Icons of Arran series with the launch of The Eagle.
Patrón Spirits takes XO Café to China
Patrón Spirits International will introduce its XO Café variant to China following an agreement with the Shanghai-based Telford Wine & Spirits.
Perthshire Raspberry Edinburgh Gin launches in UK
The Spencerfield Spirit Company has launched a Perthshire Raspberry edition of its Edinburgh Gin brand to the UK.
Heineken refreshes James Bond
Heineken has announced that it has extended its 15-year partnership with the James Bond franchise.
Gordon & McPhail bottles Jubilee whisky
UK: Gordon and MacPhail has bottled a 60 year old Glen Grant whisky to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
New Johnnie Walker whisky to celebrate Queen’s accession
An especially crafted blend of rare malt and grain scotch whiskies, distilled in and maturing since 1952, is being bottled today to celebrate the Queen’s accession to the British throne 60 ago today.
Beam launches new Courvoisier cognac
Beam has launched a new cognac in the US, under the Courvoisier brand.
Pernod launches special edition Martell cognac
Pernod Ricard has launched a new expression of its Martell cognac to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Martell Cordon Bleu. Cordon Bleu Centenary limited edition has launched in Asia duty free.
Adnams adds Morello Cherry Liqueur to the mix
English brewer and distiller, Adnams, has added Morello Cherry Liqueur to its range.
Luxardo sambuca launches Pear and Cola to the UK
Luxardo has added to its range of flavoured sambucas with the launch of Pear and Cola variants to the UK market.
Chase and Mangrove go separate ways
UK spirits and liqueur agency, Mangrove, will no longer distribute Chase Distillery products.
Ireland: Longueville House Cider launches
County Cork-based hotel, Longueville House, has launched a premium cider to the Irish market.
Michel Roux launches wine
London chef Michel Roux Jr has joined forces with French wine maker Michel Chapoutier to create wines named after Roux’s restaurant Le Gavroche.
Seismic shift in South American wines
There has been a seismic shift in the Chilean and Argentinian wine industries, according to some leading experts.
Angus Dundee launches regional whisky range
Angus Dundee distillers has launched a range of whiskies under the Charles Hamilton brand.
Nomacorc launches closure for aging wine
Nomacorc has launched Select 100, a closure for fragile wines and full bodied red wines that requiring extended aging.
Glenfiddich launches double-matured whisky
William Grant has launched a new expression of its Glenfiddich whisky brand: Glenfiddich Malt Master’s Edition.
Australian Vintage recruits major UK multiple buyer
Australian Vintage has recruited the senior buyer of one of the UK’s major multiple retailers.
Beam completes Cooley purchase
US-based Beam has completed the acquisition of Ireland's Cooley Distillery.
Plymouth is re-positioned as a super premium-plus gin
Chivas Brothers is introducing a new look for its Plymouth gin brand, re-positioning it above Beefeater 24, as a “super premium-plus”.
Bacardi to launch $2000 anniversary rum
Bacardi Limited is planning a raft of activity to celebrate its 150th birthday. Besides parties and commemorative gifts, the company is to launch a $2,000 limited-edition decanter of "rare" Bacardi rum.
Kammerling's becomes Kamm & Sons
Ginseng spirit brand owner Alex Kammerling is to rebrand his drink following a “legal issue” with German brand Kuemmerling.
Beefeater ‘Forever London’ pack to hit UK shelves
Pernod Ricard UK has announced the launch of a Beefeater ‘Forever London’ limited-edition pack, aimed at celebrating the brand’s heritage.
Russia: CEDC/La Martiniquaise deal commences
Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with La Martiniquaise to distribute Label 5 whisky in Russia. La Martiniquaise announced the tie-up in December 2011.
Monin tours UK to celebrate centenary
French syrup maker Monin will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year by embarking on a UK cocktail tour.
Glenmorangie Artein added to Private Edition range
The Glenmorangie Company has announced the global launch of Artein, the third release of the Glenmorangie Private Edition range.
Pernod pairs Jacob's Creek with Andre Agassi
Pernod Ricard has announced a marketing partnership between Jacob’s Creek and former tennis player Andre Agassi.
Pernod rolls out Redbreast 12 Cask Strength to US
Pernod Ricard will release Irish whiskey Redbreast 12 Cask Strength to the US in February, following the expression’s September launch to Ireland, Germany and France.
Rémy launches new VSOP
Rémy Martin is to introduce a new expression of its VSOP cognac for the European market. VSOP Mature Cask Finish is to replace VSOP in Europe, while the rest of the world will continue to receive the original VSOP cognac.
Pernod targets US for Absolut Gräpevine and Miami
Pernod Ricard has furthered its line of Absolut Vodka flavours with the launch of Miami and Gräpevine to the US market.
Findlater to distribute Stolichnaya in Ireland
The SPI Group has announced a new distribution agreement with Findlater Wine and Spirit Group to distribute the Stolichnaya vodka portfolio in Ireland.
Bacardi announces UK Legacy competition finalists
Bacardi has announced the finalists of the UK heat of its global Legacy Cocktail Competition.
Beam launches 'super premium' Teacher's from India
Billed as its super-premium expressions, Beam has released Teacher’s 25 Year Old and Teacher’s Highland Single Malt to global markets.
Russia: Label 5 to be distributed by CEDC
La Martiniquaise, the French spirits group, has announced that, Russian Alcohol Group the Russian subsidiary of CEDC, will be the exclusive distributor of Label 5 scotch whisky in Russia from January. Label 5 claims to be the fast-growing tenth largest worldwide scotch brand.
Diageo eyes Guinness supremacy in Africa
Diageo is aiming to make Guinness the biggest beer brand by value in Africa with the launch of a pan-market ad campaign.
Bowmore Tempest No. 3 launches
Morrison Bowmore has launched Bowmore Tempest Small Batch Release No. 3 to global markets.
Buffalo Trace experiments with rice and oats
Buffalo Trace Distillery has launched its last ‘experimental’ bourbons of the year with the release of rice and an oat-based expressions.
Nicolas Feuillatte toasts best ever year
Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte achieved its highest volume sales in 2011, says the brand’s Caroline Defaut.