Latest News - Spirits

Essential updates from the world of spirits – everything you need to know from producer consolidation in Scotland to the latest super premium vodka launches.

• Nelson Mandela charity cocktail

  Author: Wine & Spirit news team

  (27-06-2008)

  [27/06/2008] London’s Cavendish Hotel has devised a special cocktail in honour of Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday, pledging to hand half the proceeds to charity.

• Glen Grant re-vamps to lure whisky tourists

  Author: Chris Mercer

  (13-06-2008)

  [13/06/2008] Glen Grant has given its distillery a makeover as Scotch producers compete to lure a growing number of foreign whisky tourists.

• Courvoisier courts entrepreneurial spirit

  Author: Chris Mercer

  (13-06-2008)

  [13/06/2008] Courvoisier is launching a new search for the UK’s sharpest young business brains, as part of an £11m marketing drive.

• Diageo gives Bell's a makeover

  Author: Dave Broom

  (16-05-2008)

  Diageo has revamped Bell’s, the UK’s number one Scotch whisky brand, renaming it Bell’s Original with a new blend. Wine & Spirit compares the two.

• Pearl creates dessert cocktails

  Author: Emma Eversham

  (29-04-2008)

  [29/04/2008] Five traditional British desserts have provided the inspiration for a new cocktail menu at London restaurant Pearl.

• First Minister is made Scotch whisky ambassador

  Author: Emma Eversham

  (15-04-2008)

  [15/04/2008] The Scotch whisky industry has made Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond a Keeper of the Quaich.

• Whisky brands under the spotlight

  Author: Claire Hu

  (09-04-2008)

  Bell's, Jack Daniels and Glenlivet have triumphed in a tasting of the best-selling whisky brands in the UK.

• Blanche d'Armagnac draws mixed reactions

  Author: Claire Hu

  (01-01-2008)

  Merchants facing shortages of vintage Armagnac hope a new white spirit from the region can compete with the likes of vodka as well as help to modernise the brandy's image. The creation of a Blanche d'Armagnac appellation - an unaged eau de vie that is being dubbed "white Armagnac" in the..

• Search begins for Scotland's oldest whisky distillery

  Author: Emma Eversham

  (21-12-2007)

  [21/12/2007] Researchers at Glasgow University have started a search to find Scotland’s oldest whisky distillery after a previous study found there are several claimants to the title.

• Diageo to launch birthday
  Bushmills blend

  Author: Chris Mercer

  (14-12-2007)

  [14/12/2007] Diaego will launch a special edition, blended Bushmills Irish whiskey next year to commemorate the distillery’s 400th anniversary.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet

"I am the president of all Chileans, and wine is good for everybody."

Football legend Sir Bobby Robson ends the life of Newcastle Brown Ale bottling plant.

• Sir Bobby Robson explodes brewery

• Olly Smith grabs a piece of the action

• Making a difference with Fairtrade wine

• Raising a glass to biodynamic wine