Spirits & Cocktails

Video: New TV campaign and toffee apple flavour for Sourz

01-Oct-2013 By Robyn Black

Maxxium is investing in its biggest campaign to date for its Sourz brand.

Jack Daniel's gets a kick out of new Frank Sinatra whiskey

24-Sep-2013 By Robyn Black

Frank Sinatra famously said, “Alcohol may be a man’s worst enemy but the Bible says love your enemy.”

Charitable focus for new African-inspired gin

23-Sep-2013 By Robyn Black

An African-inspired gin is set to join the booming premium gin market.

Scotch Whisky Association appoints new chief executive

16-Sep-2013 By Michelle Perrett

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has appointed a new chief executive.

Halloween Cocktail Cauldrons unveiled by WKD

16-Sep-2013 By Robyn Black

Spooky cocktail cauldrons form part of a push for WKD this Halloween.

Jägermeister and Cellar Trends to part company

11-Sep-2013 By Robyn Black

Jägermeister’s parent company Mast-Jägermeister SE, is to set up its first subsidiary office outside of its native Germany to look after the brand in the UK.

On-trade cocktail boom set to grow

10-Sep-2013 By John Harrington

The number of on-trade outlets serving cocktails will increase by one third from 30,000 to 40,000 by 2017, according to a new report from drinks distributor Cellar Trends, that says the size of the UK cocktail boom is under-estimated.

Hi-Spirits 'disappointed' over ASA ruling over Fireball

04-Sep-2013 By Michelle Perrett

Hi-Spirits said it was “disappointed” by a ruling from the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) against its Fireball Whiskey brand.

Pernod Ricard looks to on-trade for UK growth

03-Sep-2013 By Robyn Black

The boss of Pernod Ricard UK (PRUK) has said the company will be concentrating its efforts on the UK on-trade over the next 18-months to two years.

First Drinks launches Disaronno sampling campaign

23-Aug-2013 By Mike Berry

Distributor First Drinks has launched a new nationwide experiential sampling campaign to raise awareness of the Disaronno Sour serve.

Gatecrasher defends itself over fake vodka reports

21-Aug-2013 By Michelle Perrett

Gatecrasher defends itself over reports of one of its former venues selling counterfeit alcohol.

Smirnoff goes for Gold in the shot market

20-Aug-2013 By Robyn Black

A gold flecked, cinnamon infused liqueur is the latest addition to the Smirnoff flavoured vodka line-up.

Gatecrasher Clubs & Bars fined £5,000 for fake vodka

20-Aug-2013 By Michelle Perrett

Leeds Magistrates Court imposed a £5,000 fine and £2095.67 costs on Gatecrasher Clubs & Bars on 15 August for selling industrial alcohol as vodka at a student freshers week event.

Britvic positions J20 as cocktail mixer

14-Aug-2013 By Jessica Mason

Britvic is pushing its J20 soft drink brand as a cocktail mixer in ‘high energy’ pubs and bars.

Diageo launches Baileys Chocolat Luxe

12-Aug-2013 By Jessica Mason

Diageo has invested £5.5 million in a TV advertising and sampling campaign to support the launch of a new premium sub-brand for its cream liqueur brand Baileys.

Absolut redesigns flavoured range

12-Aug-2013 By Jessica Mason

Pernod Ricard has launched new bottle designs for its Absolut range of flavoured vodkas in an effort to stand out from the crowd as well as draw further links between the brand and the art world.

Jack Daniel's to celebrate 14th birthday with new campaign

02-Aug-2013 By Robyn Black

The month-long campaign to celebrate the birth of “Mr Jack”, the founder of Jack Daniel’s, will return for its 14th year this September, owner Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands said yesterday.

J Wray & Nephew boosts alcohol levels in Appleton white rum

24-Jul-2013 By Robyn Black

In a climate of falling alcohol levels, Jamaican distiller J Wray & Nephew has taken the unusual move of increasing the ABV of its Appleton White Jamaica Rum from 37.5% to 40% ABV in the UK.

Hi-Spirits agrees UK distribution deal for Justin Timberlake's tequila

23-Jul-2013 By Mike Berry

Hi-Spirits has agreed to a distribution agreement that brings the premium spirit 901 Tequila, owned by pop star Justin Timberlake to the UK.

Premium spirits continue to thrive, according to First Drinks Market Report

19-Jul-2013 By Robyn Black

Despite the sluggish economy, premium spirits have grown 25% in value in the on-trade over the last 12-months, new research shows.

Video: Diageo launches excessive drinking campaign

16-Jul-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Diageo has launched an online campaign to remind young people that drinking to excess can lead to shame and embarrassment.

No.3 London Dry Gin in juniper conservation drive

21-Jun-2013 By Mike Berry

No.3 London Dry Gin has teamed up with wild plant charity Plantlife to help boost juniper conservation efforts.

Beer falls as spirits rise

19-Jun-2013 By Robyn Black

Traditional pub tipples, such as standard beers, are under threat as consumers become more adventurous, according to research by CGA Strategy.

Gentlemen Jack activity targets new drinkers

18-Jun-2013 By Robyn Black

Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands (BBFB) is ramping up activity for its premium Jack Daniel’s variant, Gentleman Jack.

Jägermeister launches festival sampling campaign

04-Jun-2013 By Robyn Black

More than three million people will get to sample Jägermeister this summer, as brand owner Cellar Trends invests in a tour of music festivals and events.

New budget flavoured vodka range Mysthic launches

28-May-2013 By Robyn Black

A new budget range of flavoured vodkas has been revealed by drinks company Eliot’s.

Second still for London distiller Sipsmith to "keep up with demand"

09-May-2013 By Robyn Black

Distiller Sipsmith has invested in a second copper-pot still to keep up with demand for its range of hand-crafted spirits.

Pernod Ricard adds an ultra-premium gin to its Beefeater brand

07-May-2013 By Robyn Black

An ultra-premium version of Beefeater gin will be launching in the UK this June.

Southern Comfort launches range of PoS kits for summer

03-May-2013 By Mike Berry

Southern Comfort has created a range of new visibility kits designed to help licensees capitalise on the longer summer days.

ASA upholds three complaints against Hi-Spirits Fireball Whisky brand

01-May-2013 By Michelle Perrett

The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld three complaints against Hi Spirits and its Fireball Whisky brand.

WKD unveils traffic cone cocktail pitchers

26-Apr-2013

Traffic-cone shaped cocktail pitchers have been unveiled as part of a summer bank holiday campaign for WKD.

Diageo launches new Pimm’s flavour for summer

23-Apr-2013 By Robyn Black

Diageo has launched a new variant under its Pimm’s brand in a bid to boost sales this summer.

Alcoholic whipped cream to launch in UK

11-Apr-2013 By Robyn Black

An alcoholic squirty cream from the US is set for UK pubs and bars.

The future’s green with Element 29 vodka

11-Apr-2013

A new British vodka brand, which comes in an eight-litre bag-in-box, claims to be the only ‘green’ vodka on the market.

London Distillery Company releases Dodd's Gin

27-Mar-2013 By Robyn Black

The London Distillery Company, which has pledged to bring back whisky production to the capital, has released a gin.

Smirnoff set to launch coffee-flavoured vodka

26-Mar-2013

Coffee-flavoured Smirnoff will be hitting shelves next month, as brand owner Diageo looks to match the success of the flavoured vodka segment in the US, where it accounts for 18% of the total vodka category.

Diageo releases Smirnoff Espresso in the UK

21-Mar-2013 By Robyn Black

Coffee-flavoured Smirnoff will be hitting shelves next month, as brand owner Diageo looks to match the success of the flavoured vodka segment in US, where it accounts for 18% of the total vodka category.

Jameson Irish whiskey gears up for St Patrick's Day

15-Mar-2013 By Robyn Black

Aging barrels, an app, etched shot glasses, a limited edition bottle and over 3,000 PoS kits form part of Jameson Irish Whiskey’s plans for St Patrick’s Day this Sunday (17 March).

First Drinks reveals spirit plans for 2013

07-Mar-2013 By Robyn Black

First Drinks has revealed new products for 2013, as well as plans to bring Milagro Tequila and a whiskey from New York to the UK.

The Famous Grouse whisky launches alcoholic ginger beer Ginger Grouse

04-Mar-2013 By Robyn Black

Ginger Grouse, a ginger beer from whisky brand The Famous Grouse, is being rolled out across the UK following success in Scotland where it was launched last September.

HDW CLIX ultra-pure vodka launch

13-Feb-2013 By Robyn Black

Hi-Spirits is launching a new vodka, which has been distilled 159 times.

The Big Interview: Stefan Bomhard, Bacardi

29-Jan-2013 By Jessica Harvey

When Stefan Bomhard’s daughter presented him with the newly-published book Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba during the Christmas of 2008, he had no idea how much it would influence his career.

Luminar lifts its drinks offer with low calorie cocktails

25-Jan-2013 By Robyn Black

Nightclub operator Luminar is adding a range of low-calorie cocktails to its drinks offer.

Two new whiskies in time for Burns Night

17-Jan-2013 By Robyn Black

Two new whiskies have been launched just in time for Burns’ Night next week (25 January).

Woodford Reserve whisky joins Esquire magazine in search of “Great American Cocktail"

14-Jan-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

Woodford Reserve is teaming up with Esquire magazine to drive brand awareness in the search of the “Great American Cocktail.”

Hi-Spirits ordered to remove "irresponsible" pictures from Facebook page

10-Jan-2013 By Helen Gilbert

Hi-Spirits has been slammed by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for posting "irresponsible" photos on its Facebook page.

Pernod Ricard launches campaign against drink driving

10-Dec-2012 By Gurjit Degun

Drinks firm Pernod Ricard UK is once again warning consumers of the dangers of drink-driving in the run-up to Christmas.

Premium vodka brand OVAL in British Comedy Awards tie-up

06-Dec-2012

Premium vodka brand, OVAL, has become the official vodka of the British Comedy Awards.

Tyrrells crisps founder creates a potato gin

21-Nov-2012 By Robyn Black

Chase Distillery, the business set up by Tyrrells Crisps founder William Chase, has added a second gin to its portfolio in a bid to tap into the resurgence in premium gins.