New government regulations have been introduced in the UK from August 1 which will see alcoholic beverages now taxed on strength.

Atlanta-based Shortbarrel has announced the acquisition of the Old Fourth Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in Atlanta, US.

The UK’s on-trade and hospitality outlets are preferring to serve leading brands of gin and tonic as their house products instead of supporting local and small-batch counterparts, as market researcher Shepper finds. 

The European Union has reached a bi-lateral agreement with New Zealand which recognises the Prosecco DOC trademark.

Trois Frères Distillery, the makers of Takamaka Rum in the Seychelles, will launch into 11 new markets as the brand continues its global expansion plans.

Pernod Ricard has announced the acquisition of online retailer The Whisky Exchange for an undisclosed fee.

Leading Caribbean and Central American drinks distributor WEBB Banks has created a subsidiary that will focus on supplying CBD and wellness products to the trade.

Belvedere has stepped into the organic category with a trio of flavoured expressions that infuse the Polish rye vodka with organic fruits and botanicals.

Picture this scenario: a world-famous alcoholic drinks brand launches what it calls a “Tequila-flavoured” product, with the aim of persuading consumers that they are enjoying a drink with the purest expression of the country of Mexico.

Several spirits brands will be featured at the first ever virtual expo hosted by the Caribbean Export Development Agency on November 17-18.

Red Storm and Ocean Storm have been withdrawn from the market after The Gin Guild threatened legal action against the producer for incorrectly labelling them as “gin”.

UK: Children as young as 10 are more familiar with some leading alcohol brands and adverts than those for popular foods and snacks, according to a new report by Alcohol Concern.

Luxardo has added to its range of flavoured sambucas with the launch of Pear and Cola variants to the UK market.

UK spirits and liqueur agency, Mangrove, will no longer distribute Chase Distillery products. 

The 2012 Pre-mixed Drinks Challenge was Drinks International’s fourth examination of the category and our most wide-ranging yet.

Beam Inc has announced an agreement to purchase Irish whiskey producer Cooley Distillery.

Chivas Brothers is to roll out a Christmas edition of it Ballantine’s scotch whisky. Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is available until December in ‘key markets’ including Spain, France and Taiwan.

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.

US: Diageo has launched a range of brightly coloured flavoured vodkas called Ursus. The products feature a label that changes from white to blue when chilled in a freezer.

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

Estonia: Liviko is to become the sole representative of Bacardi-Martini Group’s products in Estonia.

UK: Brewer Molson Coors has become the first to be a founding signatory of WRAP’s Courtauld Commitment 2.