Premium Indulgence

Madri Excepcional launches in Canada this month. Pic: Molson Coors

Madri Excepcional boosts Molson Coors’ premium push

By Rachel Arthur

Molson Coors has big plans for Madri Excepcional: a Spanish-style lager that’s growing fast in the UK and will now launch in North America. Meanwhile, the company is updating the Blue Moon brand to help it reach its potential; as well as debuting further...

Pic:getty/sarahmason

Gin ‘fingerprinting’ could help futureproof the category

By Rachel Arthur

A new technique that takes a chemical fingerprint of gin in seconds could hold 'huge potential' for the industry: allowing producers to create better and more consistent gins; enable regulators to detect fraudulent products; and even help create...

Pic:getty/shaiith

Scotch whisky industry highlights economic impact

By Rachel Arthur

Over the last five years, Scotch whisky has remained resilient against challenges such as retaliatory tariffs, a global pandemic and knock-on economic pressures, says the Scotch Whisky Association, in a new economic impact report.

The drink, despite overseas expansion, is still produced in Haiti. Image Source: 1001nights/Getty Images

Rhum Barbancourt: How a spirits brand weathers trials

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Haitian rum brand Rhum Barbancourt has a long history on the island. Despite being set back by 2010’s earthquake, and in spite of the political instability that Haiti contests with currently, it is still expanding, taking its wares to the UK through a...

Pic:getty/lightfieldstudios

Guest article

Uncorking the dark side: How wine brands are embracing the allure of the macabre

By Rowena Curlewis, CEO, drinks design specialist Denomination

We love Halloween and the 'spooky season'. And up-and-coming wine brands are using our obsession with all things spooky to stand out from the crowd with their compelling brand stories and sinister tales. Rowena Curlewis, CEO of drinks design...

Pic:Diageo

Diageo sells Windsor Global whisky

By Rachel Arthur

Diageo has signed and completed the sale of Windsor Global, a subsidiary of Diageo which owns the Windsor business and associated intellectual property, to Korean company PT W Co., Ltd.

From cocktails to calvados casks: How St-Rémy is keeping brandy booming

From cocktails to calvados casks: How St-Rémy is keeping brandy booming

By Rachel Arthur

St-Rémy – a proudly French brandy that’s enjoying global success – has revealed its latest limited edition: St-Rémy Finished in Calvados Casks. And this latest launch represents exactly what the House stands for: an intriguing blend of tradition and innovation,...

The RTD alcohol category is maturing - and evolving. Pic:getty/asbe

RTD alcohol category to hit $40bn by 2027

By Rachel Arthur

The RTD alcohol category is expected to grow by +12% in volume between 2022 and 2027, hitting $40bn by 2027 across 10 key markets, according to new data from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis. As the category matures, premiumization will be a key driver moving...

Speakers at the event in Japan House believe that sake has potential to appeal to a greater range of UK consumers. Image Source: Eriko Koga/Getty Images

The appeal of Japanese drinks to consumers in the UK and North America

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Japanese drinks such as matcha and sake are being brought to ‘Western’ countries such as the UK and North American countries. Japanese sake is mostly drunk in restaurants the UK, although an event in Kensington, London stressed that it can be more versatile....

Pic:getty/5ph

Guest article

How brands can capitalize on rum's renaissance

By Graeme Offord, creative director (Sydney), Denomination

The rum industry is in the midst of a renaissance. But while these are exciting times for rum brands, many are missing out because they aren’t changing with the times, writes Graeme Offord, creative director (Sydney) of drinks design agency Denomination

Pic:getty/DNY59

Is Champagne still the top drink for celebrations?

By Stuart Bond, Director of UK distributor, Beyond Wines

Champagne has long been a symbol of luxury, celebration and indulgence. The industry has weathered significant challenges: from economic downturns to changing consumer habits and preferences. But Champagne's current availability issues and price...

Vineyards near Spitz in the Wachau Valley in Austria. Getty/rusm

Austrian wines reach export high

By Rachel Arthur

Austria’s wine industry has achieved its highest export figures by value – and winemakers will continue to focus on premiumization moving forward, says the country’s wine marketing board.