Spirits & Cocktails

Leeds United dram up sponsorship from Whyte and Mackay

11-Apr-2003

Whyte and Mackay has secured the multi-million pound sponsorship of Leeds United.The Scotch whisky is set to replace Strongbow cider on the shirts of...

Mixing it up

08-Apr-2003

For pubs that don't have time to turn their barperson into Tom Cruise, there are several ready-to-mix cocktails now on the market. By Ben...

US drinks giant snaps up Tuaca

08-Apr-2003

Tuaca, the Italian liqueur distributed by Brighton-based company Danes in the UK, has been acquired by US drinks giant Brown-Forman (B-F).In a deal...

Craftsmanship of Cognac sets

27-Mar-2003

it up as a connoisseurs' delight Cognac is one of the world's most exciting and versatile spirits. Rarely has distilled wine been turned into such a...

'Viagrapops' rumours a smokescreen for Roxoff

25-Mar-2003

Lock up your daughters! Rumour has it that a new breed of libido boosting drinks is poised to infiltrate the nation's pubs and bars this summer.If...

GBL fights Bacardi for 'Coast' trademark

18-Mar-2003

GBL International has attempted to steal Bacardi-Martini's thunder by brewing up a storm in the fledgling flavoured sparkling wine sector.Steve...

Cariel Vanilla Vodka hits style bars

14-Mar-2003

Facile & Co, the Swedish drinks company behind boutique spirits such as Seriously vodka, Seriously pinky and Imagin gin, has launched a new...

Spirits groups appeal to Chancellor for duty reduction

17-Feb-2003

The UK spirits industry has kick-started pre-Budget negotiations by calling for a reduction in duty rates.Both the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA)...

Martell puts cash on the National

13-Feb-2003

Martell is set to crack the whip in the cognac category by maximising its £2m sponsorship of the Grand National.The brand has lent its name to the...

Shocktail to call the shots

12-Feb-2003

After Shock is looking to diversify from the down-in-one sector with the launch of a range of "shooter cocktails". The cinnamon-flavoured brand, a...

GBL shelves new factory after tax hit

16-Jan-2003

GBL International, maker of VK Vodka Kick, has shelved plans to build a new factory because of Gordon Brown's 65 per cent tax hike on spirit-based...

Smirnoff Ice faces

12-Dec-2002

investigation in US American regulators have begun an inquiry into Smirnoff Ice as part of a wider inquiry into the flavoured malt-beverage category....

UK drinks giant distances itself from stateside Smirnoff Ice contoversy

11-Dec-2002

Diageo UK has dismissed allegations that its leading Smirnoff Ice premium packaged spirit (PPS) brand doesn't contain any Smirnoff vodka.Following...

Disaronno's aroma campaign goes down the Tubes

06-Dec-2002

Italian liqueur Disaronno has been forced to shelve an aroma campaign on the London Underground due to fears of a terrorist gas attack.The brand had...

Kyndal goes out on the L'ush

22-Nov-2002

Kyndal Spirits has expanded its portfolio for the first time since securing Scotland's biggest ever management buy-out last year.The Glasgow-based...

Tequila producers out to raise profile of spirit

19-Nov-2002

Mexico's tequila producers have embarked on a generic crusade to raise the spirit's profile in the UK.The Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT) has...

Potentially fatal batch of Johnnie Walker discoverd by FSA

14-Nov-2002

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is warning licensees and drinkers to be vigilant after discovering counterfeit bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label...

A sherry amour

06-Nov-2002

Sherry producers are making a concerted effort to shake off its 'drunk by grannies at Christmas' image. Ben McFarland tracks the progress.When...

Malibu given pre-Christmas push by Allied

05-Nov-2002

Allied Domecq has targeted the UK on-trade as part of a major support programme for its recently acquired Malibu brand.The spirits giant is putting...

In the festive season run-in, Pernod Ricard is giving its le

31-Oct-2002

For general manager Ian Tottman and the rest of his team at Pernod Ricard UK, the next couple of months will be pretty hectic as the Christmas spirit...

William Grant adds three rum brands to whisky portfolio

24-Oct-2002

A triumvirate of rum brands has been added to the William Grant & Sons stable of mainly whisky brands.Old Vatted Demerara (OVD), Wood's Old Navy...

The worm has turned for Mexican vodka Villa Lobas

22-Oct-2002

A new Mexican vodka containing a worm has been officially launched by specialist spirit importer and distributor, Wine and Spirit International...

Martini goes back to its Italian roots with new ad campaign

21-Oct-2002

Mamma Mia! Martini Vermouth is being taken back to its Italian roots as part of a major repositioning of the brand.Owner Bacardi-Martini is returning...

Manchester licensees accused of ripping off customers

21-Oct-2002

Licensees in Manchester have been accused of ripping off customers after two pubs were caught substituting cheaper spirits for more expensive...

Drambuie Cream aims to rise to the top of cream liqueur category

17-Oct-2002

Drambuie Cream is looking to rise to the top of the burgeoning cream liqueur category with its first ever advertising campaign as part of a major...

Scotch whisky enjoys French shot in the arm

10-Oct-2002

by Mike Bennett Pernod Ricard has vowed to kick-start the Scotch whisky industry with a major cash injection for its top-selling brands. And the...

Global drinking habits revealed in Allied Domecq survey

09-Oct-2002

Spirits giant Allied Domecq has completed one of the biggest ever surveys of global drinking habits.The results of the six-year research project will...

Licence to distill as 007 switches from Smirnoff to Finlandia

27-Sep-2002

After four decades of shaking and stirring Smirnoff vodka, James Bond has ditched the Diageo-owned brand in favour of its major rival.The world's...

Groover to be a mover as smoothies hit the on-trade

27-Sep-2002

After blazing a trail through cafés, coffee shops and juice bars, the smoothie phenomenon is set to hit the licensed trade.The Juice Company has set...

Screamers shot to go head to head with Sidekick

16-Sep-2002

Competition in the thriving packaged shot sector is set to intensify following the arrival of a new down-in-one concept from Coors Brewers.The...

Opie gets mixed up with Club Cocktail

12-Sep-2002

Bennett Opie has launched a new range of mixers aimed at taking the hassle out of cocktail making.The Kent-based company, better known for its...

Boost for Whyte and Mackay as Kyndal Spirits launches campaign

09-Sep-2002

Kyndal Spirits is looking to strengthen its hand in the Scottish blended whisky sector with upweighted support of its Whyte and Mackay brand.The...

Laurel managers go back to the (wine) classroom

28-Aug-2002

During the summer Laurel Pub Company managers have gone back to the classroom to learn about wine. Phil Mellows reports on how they got on.It's half...

Archers Schnapps grows with the addition of two new flavours

14-Aug-2002

Diageo GB has added two strings to the Archers bow with the launch of new lime and cranberry variants.Having successfully broadened the Archers brand...

Botham could sue Diageo over use of his picture in ad campaign

13-Aug-2002

Ian Botham is threatening to sue Diageo for supposedly breaching his image rights as part of a national advertising campaign for Guinness.Mr Botham's...

Bacardi raises spirits with virtual training scheme

30-Jul-2002

Bacardi-Martini is rolling-out a scheme designed to raise the profile and profits of spirits in the on-trade.Following a "mystery shopper" programme...

Family fortunes

19-Jul-2002

With ready-mix cocktails, mini casks and banana beer, Charles Wells is making a brave move away from traditional brewing. By Lorna HarrisonImages...

Allied Domecq to include sensible drinking message in brand advertising

16-Jul-2002

Allied Domecq is set to add sensible drinking messages to all its packaging and advertising campaigns in an effort to set an industry trend and ward...

OFT accuses Bacardi-Martini of abusing white rum market position

10-Jul-2002

Bacardi-Martini has been accused of abusing its dominant position in the white rum market by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).The rum distiller has...

Finland's Lapin Kulta set to make mark in UK

09-Jul-2002

Finland's best selling beer, Lapin Kulta, looks set to grow its presence in the UK. By Tom InnesAlthough northern Finland has a well-maintained road...

New carbonated vodka aims to get you in the mood

25-Jun-2002

A lightly sparkling vodka with extracts from exotic herbal aphrodisiacs has been unleashed into the UK white spirit market.Large Distilleries, based...

First Drinks launches rum-matured scotch

24-Jun-2002

First Drinks Brands is looking to broaden the scotch whisky market with the introduction of a new rum-matured varietal under its Glenfiddich Single...

Bacardi unveils new Vinnie Jones ad

24-Jun-2002

Bacardi-Martini has unveiled the latest instalment in its TV advertising campaign for Bacardi rum.The new advert, part of the brand's £7.5m "Welcome...

Guinness UDV loses major spirits account

24-May-2002

GuinnessUDV (GUDV) has lost the rights to distribute Jack Daniel's whiskey in the UK after US owner Brown-Forman decided to strengthen its links with...

GUDV on the Edge with launch of new Gordon's FAB

24-May-2002

Guinness UDV (GUDV) is looking to coax older drinkers into the growing flavoured alcoholic beverage (FAB) sector with the launch of Gordon's Edge.The...

Sebor's reusable absinthe pipe set to spark controversy

02-May-2002

Sebor is looking to strengthen its position as the UK's best- selling absinthe with the launch of a new "sipping pipe". The move to introduce the...

Allied set to kickstart liqueur category with Tia Maria spin off

29-Apr-2002

Allied Domecq Spirits & Wine (ADUK) is looking to reinvigorate the liqueur category with a major expansion of its Tia Maria brand.As part of a...

Campari embarks on joint venture in UK spirit drive

26-Apr-2002

Scotland's Morrison Bowmore Distillers (MBD) and Italy's Campari Group have joined forces to launch a new joint venture company aimed squarely at the...

TSOs shocked at pubs still passing off cheap spirits

25-Apr-2002

Licensees are still breaking the law by passing off cheap spirits as popular brands, despite a major crackdown by trading standards officers...

Bacardi Breezer introduces Ruby Grapefruit flavour

22-Apr-2002

Bacardi Breezer has expanded its range of flavours with the introduction of a new Ruby Grapefruit variant. Following the successful launch of Bacardi...

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