Diageo has announced a two-year partnership with Queer Britain in London, the UK’s first national LGBTQ+ museum.

Few drinks categories have seen as much start-up activity as alcohol-free spirits in recent times. Lyre’s chief executive Mark Livings concedes his brand was beaten to the market by the likes of Seedlip and others, but he’s convinced that rapid scaling, rather than being early to the game, holds the key to success.

Surging demand for premium spirits powered Pernod Ricard’s 17% year-on-year sales growth in the six months to December 31, 2021.

The world’s leading premium mixer brand, Fever-Tree, has become available in South Korea for the first time.

Our brandy category takes into account any brandy outside the Cognac region and embraces a hugely diverse collection of spirits.

Ahead of New Years Eve celebrations, South Africa ended restrictions on the sale of alcohol that have been in place since 27 March 2020.

Sales in the first nine months of 2021 of sparkling wines made under the protection of the DO Cava have increased by 16.45% on the same period in 2020.

Pernod Ricard has unveiled its new $150m malt whisky distillery called The Chuan in Emeishan, China.

Alcohol-free beer brand Lucky Saint plans to train hundreds of professionals across the hospitality and retail industry in Mental Health First Aid.

The Port of Leith Distillery company has launched a new white port alongside its Portuguese partner Martha’s Wines.

VSPT Wine Group has seen an 11% increase in sales for Q2 to maintain its number one spot in the Chilean market.

Campari Group has reported that organic sales increased 37.1% year-on-year during the first half of 2021.

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's Teremana Tequila has revealed the “Mana Mobile”, a tour bus set to embark on “The Great American Mana Mobile Road Trip” across the United States.

Nick Strangeway on the pros and cons for bartenders taking on an ambassadorial role in post-Covid times.

Diageo has become the first ever official spirits sponsor of the NFL.

Nick Strangeway looks at how travel restrictions have left a permanent impression on the global bar trade.

California is the latest major wine-producing region to struggle with Mother Nature after a drought emergency gripped the Golden State.

Pernod Ricard’s global sales have seen a 1.7% organic growth for the first nine months of FY21 which totalled €6,941m.

The Savoy in London has partnered with Bowmore single malt scotch whisky to launch the hotel’s first ever pop up terrace called Solas.

Beam Suntory has announced a £6m investment in the Glen Garioch distillery in Oldmeldrum, which will see the reintroduction of floor matings and installation of direct-fired heating.

Remy Cointreau has reported 25.1% sales growth for the final three months of 2020.

Cocktail bar owners Allison Crawbuck and Rhys Everett have launched London’s first absinthe distillery in the heart of the East End.

Renowned bartender and vermouth producer Giancarlo Mancino has created the world’s first Vermouth Day to celebrate the fortified wine.

Diageo is rolling out voluntary enhanced health warnings on bottles of Smirnoff, Gordon’s, Baileys and Captain Morgan as part of its broader responsible drinking campaign.

UK-based cigar and whisky merchant C.Gars has become the exclusive importer and distributor for Key West First Legal Rum for the UK and EU.

Bacardi has unveiled plans to put the world’s first 100% degradable spirits bottles on shelves and back bars by 2023.

Chivas Brothers has donated its digital advertising slot at Old Trafford to a motor neurone disease charity for the upcoming clash between Man Utd and Sheff Utd.

Bars have reopened across Italy after the government eased lockdown restrictions that have paralysed the economy over the past 10 weeks.

Danish brewer Carlsberg has reported its first quarterly sales decline in two years as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hendrick’s Lunar Gin is the second limited edition release from master distiller Lesley Gracie’s Cabinet of Curiosities at the Hendrick’s Gin Palace, launching in the UK first. 

The new £2.5m Lakes Distillery will become the first whisky operation in the Lake District in more than 100 years, when it opens in December.

World Cup finalist, UEFA Champions League, FA and League Cup winner… and now rum brand owner. Christian Davis tackles French international footballer Mikaël Silvestre

The Macallan has unveiled a new range, the 1824 Series, which is being rolled out into the UK market this autumn.

UK: Charles Heidsieck champagne is to move to a "fine wine-orientated partner" in the UK. Distribution is to shift from First Drinks Brands to Liberty Wines from June 1, 2012 .

Diageo GTME Americas has launched two new products under the Johnnie Walker brand. Johnnie Walker Platinum Label and Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve will launch in the Americas first, followed by a global roll-out in travel retail in the first half of 2012.

William Grant has launched a new expression of its Glenfiddich whisky brand: Glenfiddich Malt Master’s Edition.

Morrison Bowmore has launched Bowmore Tempest Small Batch Release No. 3 to global markets.

Penfolds has launched Bin 620 Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz to global markets, the first release of the ‘special bin’ since 1966.

Pernod Ricard has announced net sales (excluding tax and duties) of €1.987 million for the first quarter of 2011/12 (July 1 – September 30, 2011).

UK: Hi-Spirits is set to launch the Buffalo Trace Distillery 2011 Antique Collection this month.

The first whisky from Japanese craft distillery Chichibu has been launched. Chichibu The First is three years old, 61.8% abv and limited to 7,400 bottles. The whisky is not chill-filtered.

Nemiroff Company has made its first step into eco-friendly spirits with the launch of Nemiroff Distinct, a vodka flavoured with aloe. 

South Africa: Patron has launched its first billboard campaign outside of the US. 

Premiumisation is driving UK spirits volume and value growth in the on and off-trade, according to findings by First Drinks.

First Cape Wines has announced it will sponsor the British and Irish Lions rugby tour of Australia in 2013.

Paul Henry, outgoing general manager, market development for the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (AWBC), has accused retailers of being only interested in “volume and price” and described retailer consolidation and price compression as direct threats to proprietary brands.

Spanish liqueur brand Licor 43 is targeting UK growth, after up-scaling its marketing operations with the appointment of a brand ambassador.

UK company First Drinks has appointed Una McCullough as marketing director.