Glenmorangie has launched limited-edition packaging for its 18 Years Old variant to celebrate its partnership with botanical sculptor Azuma Makoto.

Sometimes accidents breed innovation. In 1928 Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin by chance, having thrown away a bacteria sample he thought was spent.

Back in 2002 celebrity chef Jamie Oliver launched Fifteen, a restaurant made up of a team of trainee chefs from underprivileged backgrounds.

Martini has announced that all its Asti grape suppliers are on track to being certified sustainable by Equalitas in 2021.

Shay Waterworth talks to brothers Bernard and Richard d’Offay about their Takamaka rum brand as it hits the ripe age of 20.

A deal has been struck between the UK and US to end retaliatory tariffs on malt whiskies for five years.

AB InBev has announced that North America president Michel Doukeris will succeed veteran leader Carlos Brito as chief executive this summer.

Melissa Draycott will take over from Martin Skelton as managing director of Gonzalez Byass UK in September.

UK importer Kingsland Drinks is championing alternative grape varieties that have the potential to drive excitement and experimentation among consumers.

Bowmore has launched a limited-edition 31 Year Old single malt into the travel retail channel as part of its Timeless Series collection.

Ardbeg 25 Years Old has become the oldest expression to join the Islay distillery’s permanent range.

Ardbeg has released a limited-edition bottling, Arrrrrrrdbeg, to celebrate distillery manager, Mickey Heads’ 13 years at the head of the distillery.

Joe Milner's Milestone Beverages has been driving expansion through Asia, and it is now eyeing new markets. Martin Green hears how the company plans to move forward.

BrewDog has launched a craft beer advent calendar with support from DS Smith and Glenhaze.

Ed Gerard has left his role of head of wines and spirits at upmarket retailer Harrods to join Mocktail Beverages as global business development director.

Nautilus Estate winemaker Clive Jones has been elected chair of the board at New Zealand Winegrowers.

Jack Daniel’s has announced that Chris Fletcher will take over from the outgoing Jeff Arnett as master distiller of the Tennessee whiskey brand.

Jack Daniel’s master distiller Jeff Arnett is stepping down after a 20-year career at the world-famous American whiskey producer.

Heineken 0.0% will take over sponsorship of the Europa League when the tournament resumes on Wednesday night.

Colin Scott has retired from his role as the custodian master blender of Chivas Regal after enjoying an illustrious 47-year career in the Scotch whisky industry. Drinks International caught up with the esteemed blender on his final day at the office.

In America, the beer category has lost volume to wine and spirit in recent years. There are several reasons for this.

Maison Villevert has acquired craft French distillery Celtic Whisky Compagnie for an undisclosed sum.

Champagne Gosset has launched a non-vintage cuvee that has benefited from more than 12 years of ageing on the lees.

A British family from the Isles of Scilly has created a new rum called Daymark 1683 Original.

Iconic Californian producer Daou Vineyards is ramping up its focus on exports in a bid to put Paso Robles on the international wine map.

Havana Club has unveiled The Havana Club Professional Edition range which has been specifically developed to target bartenders.

Owsley Brown Frazier, the great-grandson of the distiller who founded Brown-Forman Corp and former vice chairman of Brown-Forman Corporation died yesterday (August 16) after a long illness. He was 77 years old.

Columbian super-premium rum brand, La Hechicera, will launch to the UK this September, ahead of a roll out to the rest of Europe and the Americas in 2013.

Accolade Wines has unveiled a new look for its Echo Falls Californian wine brand in key European markets, including the UK, Netherlands and Spain.

We have teamed up with Brand Finance to reveal the world’s biggest wine and spirits brands by value. Christian Davis highlights trends in the sector 

The House Janneau has released some limited edition armagnacs, called the Dragon Vintages.

New Zealand Winegrowers has announced the dates and details of its Pinot Noir conference, 2013

Johnnie Walker has taken first place in Brands by Value, a list of the world’s 50 most valuable drinks brands.

International Wine & Spirit Research (IWSR) says that Asia-Pacific will be the fastest-growing region for the alcoholic beverage markets over the next five years.

Acceptance of screw-cap closures on wine bottles sold in the UK has risen to 85% of the regular wine-drinking population, according to a report on wine stoppers from Wine Intelligence.

The board of Alcohol Concern, the anti-alcohol lobby group in the UK, has announced a restructuring of its senior management following the loss of core funding with the role of the CEO becoming part time for a year alongside the recruitment of a full time director of fundraising and campaigning.

Packaging company Rexam is to build a new beverage can plant in Finland.

The Glenmorangie Company has promoted chief operating officer Paul Skipworth to the post of president and managing director.

Constellation Brands has added Keith Wandell, president and chief executive officer of Harley- Davidson to its board.

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

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

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 Glenmorangie Company has announced the release of Pride 1981, a 28-year old single malt whisky that has been finished in Sauternes casks for ten years.

Heinemann Asia Pacific, a subsidiary of Germany-based duty free retailer and distributor Gebr Heinemann, has appointed Paul Topping to the role of director.

Foster’s has launched an online tribute to England’s cricket victory, the first time for 24 years that England has won an Ashes Test Series in Australia.

SABMiller has appointed Karl Lippert as its new president of Latin America, following the announcement of Barry Smith’s retirement.

Diageo has signed up rock band Killers frontman Brandon Flowers to help celebrate Guinness’s Arthur’s Day.

Off trade wine supplier Off Piste has appointed a new chairman. Jerry Lockspeiser, who founded Bottle Green in 1990, is to help guide the business’s strategic development.