Spirits & Cocktails

UK on-trade a focus as First Drinks changes its name

11-Jul-2014 By Robyn Black

First Drinks is changing its name to William Grant & Sons UK as it looks to benefit from the group’s international reputation.

Aspall to launch its first ever new cyder brand

10-Jul-2014 By Robyn Black

Aspall is to launch four new ciders under a new brand – the first in the company’s history.

Trade figures join Yaser Martini in sponsored walk for charity

02-Jul-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Leading pub industry figures took part in a sponsored walk, led by Yaser Martini, across the capital’s bridges to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital and Delete Blood Cancer UK.

Sipsmith launches a vodka for sipping

01-Jul-2014 By Robyn Black

Craft distiller Sipsmith has created a sipping vodka.

Glenfiddich celebrates 126 years with £2m campaign

30-Jun-2014 By Robyn Black

Glenfiddich is celebrating its 126th birthday with a new campaign.

Pub cashes in on whisky sales boom with dedicated tasting room

30-Jun-2014 By James Wallin

A licensee is hoping to capitalise on booming whisky sales in pubs by creating a room dedicated to the drink.

New on-trade buzz for JD's Tennessee Honey

27-Jun-2014 By Noli Dinkovski

Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands (BBFB) is to embark on a major on-trade sampling campaign for Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, the PMA can reveal.

New rye whisky for Jim Beam

25-Jun-2014 By Robyn Black

A rye whiskey has been added to the Jim Beam portfolio, as distributor Maxxium UK looks to tap into the burgeoning interest in this style of spirit.

First Drinks launches Sailor Jerry rum campaign to give bartenders a day-off

19-Jun-2014 By Noli Dinkovski

First Drinks is using its spiced rum brand Sailor Jerry to campaign for UK bartenders to have a national day off.

Pubs don't just 'deposit drunks', Diageo director claims

03-Jun-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Pubs should be appreciated as responsible outlets that help communities, not as places that “deposit drunks”, a Diageo director has urged.

New campaign for Gentleman Jack

03-Jun-2014 By Robyn Black

Twenty-six to 34-year-old drinkers looking for a more refined tipple are the target of a new campaign for Gentleman Jack American whiskey.

A 75.5% ABV spiced rum to hit UK pubs

24-Apr-2014 By Robyn Black

The “world’s first” 75.5% ABV spiced rum is about hit UK bars.

Why did Diageo launch a grain whisky?

17-Apr-2014

Global drinks giants aren’t known for going against the grain, so why has Diageo launched a grain whisky?

Cuvana ditched as Dead Crow wins the battle of the speers

16-Apr-2014 By Robyn Black

SHS Drinks has ditched its Cuvana rum beer, to bring it under a revamped Dead Crow brand and is investing in a campaign, as it looks to get a bigger slice of the growing spirit beer (speer) category.

Red Army vodka 'gun' breaches alcohol marketing code

10-Apr-2014 By Mike Berry

A vodka packaged in a bottle the shape of a gun has been found to breach alcohol responsibility rules for its association with violence and aggression.

Dewar's redesign aims to boost UK blended whisky sales

09-Apr-2014 By Robyn Black

Scotch whisky Dewar's has been given a new look, to capture its status as the “definitive” blended whisky.

David Beckham to launch a whisky

08-Apr-2014 By Robyn Black

David Beckham is to launch a whisky in partnership with Diageo.

Pernod seeks UK partners for new vodka brand

07-Apr-2014 By Robyn Black

Pernod Ricard is looking for UK partners to help make the first “global vodka with local roots.”

Honey and coffee flavoured tequilas launch into the UK

03-Apr-2014 By Robyn Black

The trend for flavoured spirits continues apace with the launch of a honey tequila in the UK this month.

US shot brand Fire Eater launches in the UK

02-Apr-2014 By Robyn Black

Roll up! Roll up! A new circus-inspired shot brand from the US is about to hit UK pubs and bars.

Piña Coladas will be key to Malibu's success this summer

18-Mar-2014 By Robyn Black

Pernod Ricard will be pushing the Piña Colada this summer, as part of a drive for its Malibu brand.

Value of wines and spirits to pubs set to grow

18-Mar-2014 By John Harrington

The value of wines and spirits to the UK on-trade is set to increase over the coming years as new outlets sell a greater proportion of these products, new research shows.

Bolton pub in high spirits after ghost sighting doubles trade

03-Mar-2014 By Helen Gilbert

A Bolton-based pub has enjoyed a spike in business after footage of a ghostly figure captured by its CCTV system went viral.

Join the Spirits Revolution

17-Feb-2014 By Robyn Black

You may have seen in the pages of the Publican's Morning Advertiser, or on the PMA’s website,this month that we are challenging the trade to generate a Spirits Revolution.

Jack Daniel's introduces interactive bar mats for pubs

17-Feb-2014 By Robyn Black

Interactive bar mats are being rolled out by Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands, as part of an ongoing drive around music for its Jack Daniel’s brand.

Gordon's Elderflower Gin launched

13-Feb-2014 By Robyn Black

An elderflower version of Gordon’s Gin is rolling out this month.

New whisky from Highland Park

11-Feb-2014 By Robyn Black

Highland Park has launched the third whisky in its Valhalla Collection, a range of whiskies inspired by Norse Gods.

Win a case of top-selling spirits by taking the PMA / Diageo survey

20-Jan-2014 By Mike Berry

Publican’s Morning Advertiser readers can win a case of one of the top-selling on-trade spirits brands by simply completing a short survey on spirits sales at their pubs.

Odessa vodka and Squire's Gin to be relaunched

16-Jan-2014 By Robyn Black

Odessa vodka and Squire’s London Dry Gin are being re-launched with a new look as “house” brands.

Huge response from trade over stem cell donation plea for Margot Martini

08-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

More than 12,000 people in the licensed trade have registered their interest in stem cell donation over the New Year, after the industry was urged to ‘Register. Swab. Save a life’ to help save the life of a child with leukaemia.

Scotch Whisky Association unveils new chief executive

02-Jan-2014 By John Harrington

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced that David Frost, a former senior official at the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills, has replaced Gavin Hewitt as chief executive.

Grumpy Gorillas to promote responsible drinking this New Year

18-Dec-2013 By Robyn Black

New Year revellers in London and Edinburgh will be reminded to monitor their booze intake by a grumpy gorilla this year.

Why sweet will be sour in 2014

11-Dec-2013 By Robyn Black

Unlikely as it seems, in an age where sweeter drinks rule, the taste of 2014 will be pickling vinegar.

TCG launches picklebacks and cocktail menu

06-Dec-2013 By Robyn Black

Picklebacks, alcoholic milkshakes and mojito shots, all star on a new cocktail menu for pub and bar chain TCG.

New brands, blended whisky and the on-trade key to Pernod Ricard strategy

28-Nov-2013 By Robyn Black

Pernod Ricard UK (PRUK) is to increase its sales force by 10% in a bid to focus on growth in the on-trade.

Wooly hats to keep Southern Comfort warm this Christmas

28-Nov-2013 By Robyn Black

Southern Comfort fans will find themselves drinking from woolly hats and giant jam jars this December, as part of a Christmas campaign for the brand.

Hot to Stock 2013

26-Nov-2013 By Jessica Mason & Robyn Black

The Publican’s Morning Advertiser lifts the lid on business-boosting information for licensees with the publication of its unique guide to the fastest-growing products of 2013 and the list of the top 50 brands making serious waves in the on-trade.To download...

Your "favourite chocolate bar in a bottle” set for launch

25-Nov-2013 By Robyn Black

An alcoholic confectionery range is set to be launched early next year.

Video: New campaign for Russian Standard vodka launches at Science Museum

19-Nov-2013 By Robyn Black

A lavish new global campaign for Russian Standard vodka was launched with an evening of "wonder" at London's Science Museum.

New taste and bottle for Lamb's Spiced

12-Nov-2013 By Robyn Black

A new version of Lamb’ s Spiced has been launched, with a new taste and bottle, as part of the on-going strategy to reposition the Lamb’s Navy rum brand.

Global Brands launches a glittery Corky's

07-Nov-2013 By Robyn Black

Global Brands has unveiled its third sparkly drink under a month, an addition to its Corky’s shot range.

Brewer Adnams to launch whiskies from Suffolk

06-Nov-2013 By Robyn Black

Brewer Adnams has released details of its first whiskies, which are scheduled to go on sale on Thursday 5 December.

Brighter new look for Thorntons Chocolate liqueur

06-Nov-2013 By Robyn Black

Thorntons Chocolate liqueur has been given a new “brighter” look to make it more noticeable on back bars and to boost sales outside of the key Valentines, Mother’s Day and Christmas selling periods.

Global Brands launches new Jungfrau range

25-Oct-2013 By Robyn Black

Capitalising on the growth in gold-flecked cinnamon-flavoured spirits, Global Brands has launched a new variant under its Jungfrau range.

First spirit-flavoured cider to hit the market

21-Oct-2013 By Robyn Black

A tequila cider from drinks company Hi-Spirits, promises to be the first in a raft of spirit flavoured ciders to hit the market over the next few months.

Mojito remains king as traditional pubs drive cocktail growth

10-Oct-2013 By Robyn Black

The number of pubs serving cocktails has increased by a third compared to last year, according to a new report from CGA Strategy.

Chambord liqueur set for major campaign

10-Oct-2013 By Robyn Black

Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands (BBFB) is readying a big push for its black raspberry liqueur brand, Chambord, in the UK following a period of unprecedented growth — the brand is up 94% in value and 71% in volume in the past 12 months (CGA).

Courvoisier takes on Jack Daniel's and Johnnie Walker

07-Oct-2013 By Robyn Black

Maxxium is taking on the might of Jack Daniel’s and Johnnie Walker with a new strategy for its Courvoisier brand that aims for a bigger slice of the 25 to 45-year old market.

Lower alcohol herbal liqueur launched for younger drinkers

04-Oct-2013 By Robyn Black

Halewood International is hoping to take it Josef Meiers liqueur range to a younger audience, with the launch of a lower ABV herbal schnapps.

Porn baron Paul Raymond inspires a gin

02-Oct-2013 By Robyn Black

A gin inspired by porn baron Paul Raymond is to be distributed by Hi-Spirits.