Elsewhere, ThaiBev has reshuffled its senior leadership, and we close with a feature on how white rum is shedding its entry-level image.

Enjoy!

Europe

Irish whiskey and US tariffs: how big was the impact?

Following reports that former US President Donald Trump may move to cut tariffs on Irish whiskey, a new analysis breaks down the real impact of recent duties on the category. The US accounts for around 34% of Irish whiskey sales; imports from Ireland peaked at 6 million cases in 2022, and 2026 year-to-date volumes are down about 5% compared to 2025.
Read the analysis via (subscription required):

Commercial Spirits Intelligence

The Impact of US Tariffs on Irish whiskey

This article examines Irish whiskey imports into the USA. With the recent import tariffs looking likely to be removed, we can assess the impact these taxes have had on this key market. We can also use the same data to show how Irish whiskey imports have changed over time and compare them with whiskey imports from the UK…

Read more

23 days ago · Martin Purvis and Duncan McFadzean

Court forces Sazerac to honour cancelled Cognac purchase contracts

Angoulême’s commercial court has ruled that Sazerac de Segonzac, the Charente arm of US group Sazerac, must honour multi-year purchase contracts it unilaterally cancelled in January 2026 with 45 Charente winegrowers. The ruling covers the 2026 and 2027 harvests with provisional enforcement, though an appeal is already underway.
Read Alexandre Abellan’s article for Vitisphere:

Le juge force un négoce à acheter les vins de 45 vitis retrouvant leurs contrats : “il faut que le vignoble ose faire valoir ses droits en justice”

The EU funds wine while public health policy pushes to curb alcohol

The EU channels €1.061 billion a year into the wine sector through the Common Agricultural Policy—funding investment, promotion, vineyard restructuring, and harvest insurance—even as WHO Europe pushes to reduce alcohol consumption. Drawing on a recent LinkedIn post by Ulric Nijs, director of Spirits Selection, the piece argues that these two goals address fundamentally different priorities: maintaining a competitive agricultural sector on the one hand, and protecting public health on the other.
Read the article via Linkiesta (in Italian):

L’Europa finanzia il vino e frena l’alcol

UK

UK whisky and gin exports both rise in H1 2026

UK whisky exports rose 5.8% by volume and 2.2% by value to £2.5 billion in H1 2026, according to data from the Food and Drink Federation, while gin grew 1.3% in volume and 2.8% in value to £306.9 million. Whisky remains the UK’s top food and drink export, though performance varied sharply by market.
Read Nicola Carruthers’ article for The Spirits Business:

UK whisky and gin exports up in H1

Mexico

Morelia pushes certification for its mezcal producers

Morelia’s municipal government is working with certifier PAMFA, the Saderm rural agency, and local mezcal producers in Tumbisca to certify the town’s mezcal. Saderm head Roberto Carlos López García noted that certification will serve as a seal of quality and open up new export opportunities.
Read the news via Quadratín Michoacán:

Impulsa Ayuntamiento la certificación del mezcal moreliano

Markets

Campari Group brings Wild Turkey to Sydney Airport travel retail

Campari Group has launched a Wild Turkey pop-up at Sydney Airport inside Heinemann Duty Free’s Terminal One shop, running from early September to early November. It features a tasting bar, portfolio displays, and a branded tote-bag customisation station, with around 650 tastings hosted so far.
Read the news via Global Drinks Intel:

Campari Group targets Australia’s global travel retail channel for Wild Turkey push

People

ThaiBev restructures and reshuffles its senior leadership

ThaiBev has unveiled a revised corporate structure built around four distinct product units—beer, food, non-alcoholic beverages, and spirits—to strengthen collaboration and competitiveness. Spirits chief Sopon Racharaksa becomes group president, Kosit Suksingha takes over spirits, and Rahul Colaco moves to lead non-alcoholic beverages starting 1 October.
Read the news via Global Drinks Intel:

ThaiBev shakes up structure and senior pack

Something to read

Unaged rum goes premium as producers move beyond colour

White rum is shedding its entry-level image as producers push premium, characterful expressions. Diplomático, Speciality Brands, Takamaka, Maison Ferrand, Bacardí, Havana Club, Angostura, and Mount Gay all point to a shift away from simple colour-based assumptions towards provenance, production style, and higher ABVs.

Read Clinton Cawood’s article for Drinks International:

Unaged rum goes premium

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this—do you think consumers are starting to appreciate the vast variety and nuance across the white rum category?

Leave a comment

I hope to see some of you at Whisky Live Paris over the weekend if you are around!

Have a great day, and see you soon!

Cheers, 🍹

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Hello everyone!

We start today with two acquisitions: Sazerac has confirmed the takeover of German group Berentzen that we flagged as a rumour last week, while Distillers United Group has bought a majority stake in Panamanian rum brand Carta Vieja.
IARD’s September update rounds up big companies’ ESG campaigns, and on the distribution side, Maison Ferrand UK adds Calvados Christian Drouin to its portfolio while Rémy Cointreau names a new exclusive distributor for Belgium and Luxembourg.

Whisky Live Paris opens its doors this week, and we close with something a little different: the story of Cheramie, a Louisiana rum made from fresh cane juice.

Acquisition

Sazerac and Berentzen agree takeover deal

Sazerac and Berentzen have agreed a takeover aiming to build a leading European spirits platform. Sazerac will offer €5.55 per share in cash—a 68% premium over the three-month average—and Berentzen’s board recommends acceptance. Closing is expected in Q4 2026, followed by a delisting Sazerac intends to pursue.
You can read the news via Spirituosen Journal:

Übernahme: Berentzen-Gruppe und Sazerac Company verkünden Einigung

DUG buys majority stake in Panamanian rum brand Carta Vieja

Distillers United Group (DUG) has acquired a majority stake in Panamanian rum brand Carta Vieja for an undisclosed sum, adding it to a portfolio built around Venezuelan brands Ron Tepuy and Cocuy Saroche. Carta Vieja joins DUG’s international range from 1 February 2027, with a refreshed identity, updated packaging, and a revised product offering planned.
You can read Lauren Bowes’ article for The Spirits Business:

DUG buys majority stake in Panamanian rum brand

Industry campaigns

IARD’s September ESG update: drink-driving campaigns, water and anti-fraud seals

September’s IARD update on members’ ESG activity features AB InBev’s breathalyser key box in South Korea, Diageo’s AI anti-fraud seal in Brazil alongside its water replenishment milestone, Pernod Ricard’s Drink More Water push, and Suntory’s millionth tree. These are paid articles by the IARD Editorial Team, but as I have mentioned many times, they can be useful to keep an eye on what campaigns big groups are taking on.
You can read the update by the IARD Editorial Team for Global Drinks Intel:

Drinks industry Environment, Social & Governance activations around the world in September 2026 – ESG

Market and distribution

Maison Ferrand UK brings Christian Drouin calvados into its portfolio

Maison Ferrand UK has added Christian Drouin to its portfolio, bringing calvados into the subsidiary’s range for the first time. The partnership starts exclusively in the UK with the launch of Experimental Planteray Clarendon Angels. The family-run French house sees the UK as one of the most dynamic calvados markets in the world.
You can read Eleanor Yates’ article for Drinks International:

Maison Ferrand UK adds Calvados Christian Drouin to its portfolio

Rémy Cointreau names Alcobrands exclusive distributor in Belgium and Luxembourg

Rémy Cointreau has appointed Alcobrands as its exclusive distributor for Belgium and Luxembourg, covering brands such as Rémy Martin, Cointreau, The Botanist, and Bruichladdich. Both companies pointed to significant growth potential, citing Alcobrands’ commercial execution and regional presence.
You can read Eleanor Yates’ article for Drinks International:

Rémy Cointreau appoints Alcobrands as exclusive distributor in Belgium & Luxembourg

Events

Whisky Live Paris 2026: over 300 exhibitors across whisky and beyond

Whisky Live Paris will host over 300 exhibitors showcasing hundreds of new releases, including many world premieres. Exhibitors are grouped by region and category: Scotland, USA/Canada, Asia/Oceania, Europe, Ireland, and France, plus dedicated areas for Sake, Rum, Gin, and Agave spirits.
Explore the exhibitor list on the Whisky Live Paris website:

WLP - Exposants

Something to read

Cheramie, the fresh cane juice rum behind a new Louisiana Rum category

In New Orleans, Porchjam distillery and distiller Jason Zeno make Cheramie—a fresh cane juice rum fermented with native flora and double-distilled in pot stills—aiming to help build a formal Louisiana Rum category. The piece also covers the brand’s name, its local ties, and a short film exploring its production.
You can read Alexandre Vingtier’s article for Rumporter (in French):

Cheramie ou le pur jus de la Louisiane

That’s all for today. You’ll read me in the next days (or see me in Paris very soon)!

Cheers, 🍹

Leave a comment

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Hello everyone!

We start today in global travel retail, where IWSR’s latest data shows the old order is shifting: Japanese whisky and agave spirits are muscling in on territory once dominated by Cognac and flavoured gin. Mexico brings mixed news too, with José Cuervo’s owner having a rough year on the stock market. Elsewhere, Sazerac stays tight-lipped over acquisition rumours, Diageo faces strike action in Scotland, and Brazil’s record 2025 harvest gives us a chance to see where sugar cane actually sits among the country’s big crops.

And for something a little different: a look at how spirits stories travel — and how yesterday’s Financial Times piece on Scotch became today’s Italian headline.

Enjoy!

Markets

Japanese whisky and agave lead the way as travel retail evolves

IWSR’s latest Global Travel Retail (GTR) analysis shows the channel continuing to outperform domestic markets, with combined spirits and wine volumes up 5% in 2025 and spirits value up 7%. But the finer details tell a more interesting story: Japanese whisky surged 44% in value (volumes up 37%), driven by traveller curiosity and a genuine willingness to spend at premium tiers, while Scotch and American whiskey both grew a steady 10%. Cognac, by contrast, suffered one of its worst declines in decades, though early 2026 signs look more positive. Flavoured gin also fell as shoppers shifted towards vodka and RTDs. Europe and Africa/Middle East led regional value growth at +11% each.

You can read Helen Jagger’s article for IWSR:

Shifting sands: fresh category opportunities in GTR

France

Cognac’s Charente vineyard keeps shrinking as growers seek other outlets

Declarations for the 2026 Charente harvest show the region’s Cognac-dedicated vineyard now stands at 83,619 hectares—down 5% (4,295 ha) year-on-year—out of a total 95,388 ha still in production. The gap is being filled by other outlets: 9,431 ha are now assigned to alternatives, including 7,640 ha of dual-purpose grape varieties destined for basic French wine without geographical indication. The figures illustrate the scale of Cognac’s ongoing crisis, with the sector continuing to shrink through a mix of declassification and outright vine-pulling, which is trending towards 13,000 ha.

You can read Alexandre Abellan’s article for Vitisphere:

Cognac double le vignoble déclassé en vin de France et réduit de 5 % sa surface pour l’AOC

Companies performance

Fever-Tree’s UK business returns to growth after a tough spell

Fever-Tree reported H1 2026 revenue up 7% to £183.6 million, with growth across every region. The UK, its home market, grew 3% to £49.5 million, helped by a strong off-trade performance and a new “Straight Up or Mixed” campaign, even as the on-trade remained under pressure. The US, its largest market, rose 7% to £66.9 million, boosted by its Molson Coors partnership and its first national marketing campaign. Non-tonic products, led by ginger beer, now make up 47% of group sales, up from 39% three years ago. The company is also pursuing a legal challenge over Extended Producer Responsibility packaging costs, having already booked a £5.4 million charge it hopes to partly reverse.

You can read Nicola Carruthers’ article for The Spirits Business:

Fever-Tree H1 sales up 7% as UK recovers

The full FY26 interim results webcast is available via Fever-Tree’s investor relations site.

Mexico

Tequila sales slide across Mexico, the US and Spain as younger drinkers switch categories

Mexico’s Tequila industry is losing ground not just at home but in the US and Spain too, according to INEGI data, with the Chamber of the Tequila Industry forecasting a 3% sales decline this year following 3.2% growth in 2025. Director General Ana Cristina Villalpando points to younger consumers favouring lower-alcohol or alcohol-free drinks. US exports, which account for the bulk of the 584 million litres Mexico produces, fell 1% last year, with Spain and Germany also down. Revenues have now declined for five straight months—the longest such streak on record—hitting joven and reposado hardest while blanco and añejo held up better. The sector’s biggest player, José Cuervo owner Becle, has lost 22.5 billion pesos in market value this year alone, with shares down 30.5%, a decline that widened after CEO Juan Domingo Beckmann’s attendance at a controversial political gathering in August.

You can read the news via El Informador:

Tequila, en crisis: Disminuyen ventas en México y el extranjero

M&A

Sazerac stays quiet as reports link it to German schnapps maker Berentzen

Bloomberg reported this week that Buffalo Trace owner Sazerac is in talks to acquire Berentzen-Gruppe, the German group behind Berentzen liqueur, Puschkin vodka, and Caribbean rum blend Tres Países. Sazerac declined to comment on “market speculation.” If it goes ahead, the deal would follow a busy run for the US firm, which has recently bought UK-based Au Vodka and Kentucky’s Garrard County Distilling, alongside an unsuccessful unsolicited bid for Brown-Forman earlier this year.

You can read Nicola Carruthers’ article for The Spirits Business:

Sazerac silent over schnapps deal rumours

Source for the original report (subscription required):

Sazerac in talks to buy German schnapps maker Berentzen

UK

Strike dates confirmed at Diageo’s Cameronbridge distillery

Unite Scotland has confirmed strike action at Cameronbridge—Europe’s largest grain distillery—starting 28 September, over Diageo’s proposed job cuts as part of its global restructuring. More than 100 workers, including distillation and process controllers, technicians, and engineers, will take part in successive days of action over three weeks, aiming to halt production entirely at the site, which employs around 200 people. Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said there was “no justification” for the cuts given the company’s profits, while the union has also raised safety concerns, given that roles are being cut without any proposed reduction in output.

You can read Shay Waterworth’s article for Drinks International:

Date set for Diageo strikes at Cameronbridge distillery

Brazil

A record harvest — and where sugar cane actually fits in

Brazil’s 2025 agricultural output hit a record R$927.2 billion, up 18.4% on 2024, driven overwhelmingly by soya and maize, which together made up 88.7% of the country’s grain harvest. Sugar cane ranked third among Brazil’s most valuable crops by production value, behind soya and maize but ahead of coffee and cotton, with its value up a comparatively modest 3.6% year-on-year—a much smaller jump than coffee’s 44.7% or cotton’s 29.5%. It is worth remembering that sugar cane’s value reflects its many uses well beyond cachaça: the crop is Brazil’s dominant sugar and ethanol feedstock too, and it was actually the Southeast region’s strength in sugar cane, coffee, and oranges that kept it in second place nationally behind the grain-driven Centre-West. So while cane remains a heavyweight crop for Brazil, spirits are only a small slice of what it is grown for.

You can read the news from IBGE, Brazil’s national statistics agency:

Valor de produção agrícola atinge recorde de R$ 927,2 bilhões, impulsionado por safra de grãos

Something to learn

How the press recycles a good story — and why that’s not a bad thing

Some publications carry more international weight than others. The Economist, The Times, The New York Times, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian in the UK and US, as well as Der Spiegel in Germany or Le Monde and Le Figaro in France, are widely looked to by journalists elsewhere, who can cite their reporting freely without worrying about boosting a competitor’s profile.

Italy gave a neat example of this mechanism just last week with a story about whisky. On 6 September, the Financial Times published a piece on Scotland’s unsold whisky stocks:

Scotland has a whisky problem.

It was not really news to anyone in the trade, but to a general reader, it could easily sound like it. An Italian journalist at La Stampa picked up the story and built her own piece around it, interviewing reliable whisky experts and citing the FT as her source:

La crisi del whisky fa tremare la Scozia. Boom di invenduto e distillerie sul lastrico

Translation: “Whisky crisis shakes Scotland: unsold stocks soar and distilleries face ruin.” (quite hyperbolic, I know)

Gambero Rosso, a food and wine publication, followed suit with its own version, also crediting the FT and using a similarly dramatic headline:

La Scozia ha troppo whisky e non sa più dove metterlo: è la peggiore crisi del settore dagli anni Ottanta

(No author is named, as the news has simply been translated, re-worked, and published.)

It is an efficient mechanism when there is no fresh news directly from the source—I use it myself sometimes, though I am not one for sensational headlines.

Do you spot this same pattern in your own country’s media? Feel free to reply with any examples!

Leave a comment

That’s all for today. Have a great weekend, and see you soon!

Cheers, 🍹

Subscribe now

Hello everyone!

A genuinely good news day to start with: English whisky has finally secured Geographical Indication status, six years in the making. Trump was in a generous mood too, promising to scrap the Irish whiskey tariff after a weekend at his Doonbeg golf course—though as ever with this administration, we’ll believe it when we see the paperwork.
Less cheerful: the US-Canada trade war has escalated further, with a near-total US ban on Canadian alcohol now confirmed, following on from last week’s news. On the market side, spiritsEUROPE’s new trade report paints a sobering picture of EU export declines, though Scotch whisky’s own H1 export data offers a more encouraging read.

And a save-the-date for those of you heading to Paris later this month: I’ll be at Whisky Live, so do say hello if you’re going too!

Enjoy!

UK

English whisky finally wins its own protected status

England’s whisky category has secured Geographical Indication status from Defra, six years after the English Whisky Guild first began the process. The decision puts “English Whisky” and “English Whiskey” on an equal legal footing with Scotch, Welsh, and Irish whiskey. Unusually among the UK’s whisky GIs, all cereal grain must be grown in the UK, though the rules retain flexibility around cask wood and still design. The category has grown fast, from 46 distilleries in 2023 to more than 70 today, spanning Cornwall to Northumberland, with maturing stock estimated at £1 billion and exports reaching over 30 countries.

You can read the news on the English Whisky Guild’s website:

English Whisky Granted Geographical Indication (GI) Status

(There’s more expected on this in the coming days, so watch this space.)

US-Ireland

Trump pledges to scrap Irish whiskey tariff after Doonbeg visit

Speaking at the trophy ceremony for the Irish Open at his own Doonbeg course, Donald Trump announced he intends to remove the 10% US tariff currently applied to Irish whiskey, which was reduced from 15% back in July. “Everybody’s been bugging me” to do it, Trump told the crowd, pledging the move “on behalf of the United States of America.” The announcement follows a similar tariff removal for UK whiskies (including Scotch) in May, after a visit from King Charles and Queen Camilla. The Irish Whiskey Association welcomed the news, noting Irish whiskey exports to the US were worth €450 million last year. No formal timeline has yet been given for when the change will take effect.

Read the article by Ashlea Ebeling in the Wall Street Journal:

Trump Pledges to Rescind 10% Tariff on Irish Whiskey

US-Canada trade wars

Trump escalates further with near-total ban on Canadian alcohol imports

Following on from last week’s news, the White House issued a proclamation on 8 September confirming a near-total ban on Canadian alcohol imports to the US, covering spirits, wine, and malt beer, effective 29 September. The move follows the collapse of trade talks and a 50% tariff imposed in August, and is framed as retaliation for the provincial boycotts of US alcohol that have run since early 2025.

You can read Joe Rogers’ article in The Spirits Business:

Trump bans Canadian spirits imports

Markets

EU spirits exports fall 6% as sector calls for open trade policy

SpiritsEUROPE’s 2026 Trade Report shows European spirits exports declined 6% in value between 2024 and 2025, hit by geopolitical tensions and disrupted global trade, with the US and China—the sector’s two biggest markets—particularly affected. More than 55% of EU spirits exports by value go outside the bloc, underlining how exposed the sector is to international conditions. Emerging markets, notably India and Sub-Saharan Africa, are gaining importance, though the report stresses these cannot replace established markets overnight.

You can read the press release on spiritsEUROPE’s official website:

Spirits sector determined, stresses need for open EU trade policy amid challenging global environment

Scotch whisky exports show signs of recovery in H1 2026

Commercial Spirits Intelligence’s latest analysis of HMRC export data shows Scotch whisky volumes rose 6% in H1 2026 versus H1 2025, reaching more than 50 million 9-litre cases, with value up 3% to around £2.4 billion. Single malt looks to have turned a corner too, up 6% (550,000 cases) year-on-year, though still 32% below its 2022 peak. Bulk exports remain a bright spot, up 7% year-on-year and now 38% above 2019 levels, continuing to cushion the wider category. Japan and India (via bulk) are growing fastest, while the US and UAE have declined. Overall, the authors conclude the market looks to be recovering, though volumes remain well below 2022 highs.

You can read and ’s article in (subscription required):

Commercial Spirits Intelligence

A Return to Growth? 1H Scotch whisky export data for 2026

In this article we have reviewed the first half 2026 export data for Scotch whisky now that the June data is available. We wanted to get another temperature check on the market given the tough news flow that has dominated the recent narrative…

Read more

2 months ago · 7 likes · Martin Purvis and Duncan McFadzean

Something to plan

See you at Whisky Live Paris?

Whisky Live Paris returns for its 22nd edition, running from 26 to 28 September at the Grande Halle de la Villette. Expect the usual sprawl of tastings across whisky, rum, sake, agave spirits, and cocktails, plus masterclasses from master distillers and blenders.

If you’re planning to be there, drop me a message—I’d love to meet up!

Find out more on the official event website:

The event - Whisky Live Paris

That’s all for today. See you soon!

(In Paris, maybe?)

Cheers, 🍹

Leave a comment

Subscribe now

Hello everyone!

After a long pause in August, I’m back with a recap of the most significant news from recent weeks.

We begin with the collapse of US-Canada trade talks and what it means for American whiskey and Canadian spirits alike. I’ve added a few extra reads at the bottom of that section for a fuller picture of how we got here. From there, we look at the US market: Americans’ drinking keeps hitting record lows, according to Gallup, while California extends cocktails-to-go for another three years. Over in the UK, a former prison becomes a whisky distillery, and Speyside’s leftovers are about to heat Scottish homes. Jumping to Mexico, the agave crisis takes on a political dimension, followed by market analysis from the IWSR on the potential of Sub-Saharan Africa and an update on what “premiumisation” actually means today.

I’ll wrap things up with a few reads I found interesting on Indian spirits.

Enjoy!

US-Canada trade wars

Talks collapse, tariffs bite: American whiskey shut out of Canada again

Trade negotiations between the US and Canada broke down on Friday 21 August, triggering a 50% US tariff on Canadian goods, including spirits. This comes in response to the Canadian boycott of American alcohol that has been in place across most provinces since March 2025. Discus CEO Chris Swonger blamed Canada’s “discriminatory” provincial bans, while American Whiskey Association CEO Michael Bilello called it “unfinished business,” noting that hopeful signs of progress had emerged just hours before talks fell apart. So far, only Alberta and Saskatchewan have lifted their bans on US spirits.

Read the news on Global Drinks Intel:

‘Unfinished business’ for American whiskey as US-Canada trade talks collapse

For a fuller picture of the situation, here are three further reads.

Fiona Holland’s article for Just Drinks reports that US industry coalition Toasts not Tariffs is urging both governments to return to the table quickly, warning that the new tariffs will also hurt US hospitality businesses.

The BBC covered Canadian PM Mark Carney’s response, including his pledge to match the US tariffs “dollar for dollar” with retaliatory measures from 8 September.

Carney’s full press conference, in which he accuses the US of asking “too much” while offering “too little,” is available to watch here.

USA

Americans’ drinking hits a record low, again

A new Gallup poll finds that just 54% of US adults say they drink alcohol, matching last year’s record low and marking the lowest figure since Gallup began tracking the question in 1939. Fifty-one percent now believe moderate drinking is bad for health, while self-reported overdrinking has also fallen to a new low of 13%.

Read the news on Gallup’s website:

Americans’ Drinking Remains at Record Low

California extends cocktails-to-go for another three years

California has passed Assembly Bill 2663, extending venues’ ability to sell sealed cocktails-to-go alongside a meal until 2029, ahead of Governor Gavin Newsom signing it into law. The measure, originally a pandemic-era lifeline, was due to expire this year. Discus’s Adam Smith called it a boost for local businesses and consumer convenience. California joins New Jersey and New York as states operating under temporary extensions, while 32 states and DC have already made cocktails-to-go permanent.

Read Discus’s press release on their website:

California Legislature Passes Bill to Extend Cocktails To-Go Until 2029

UK

Former Cornish prison to house new English whisky distillery

Cornwall Council has approved plans for The Bodmin Jail Distillery, part of an £80 million restoration of the former Victorian prison by Swiss private equity group Spirit Capital, owner of several Calvados and Armagnac brands. The grain-to-glass distillery will focus on English whisky alongside gin and vodka, creating 15 permanent jobs, with an opening expected in 2027.

Read Nicola Carruthers’ article for The Spirits Business:

English whisky distillery at Bodmin Jail gets green light

Whisky waste to power 4% of Scotland’s gas demand

A Speyside biomethane facility run by Grissan, using residues from whisky production, is set to meet around 4% of Scotland’s natural gas demand from 2027, decarbonising energy for the equivalent of more than 30,000 homes. The National Energy System Operator visited the site as part of a wider review of biomethane’s role in the UK’s energy transition.

Read the news on Gasworld:

Whisky waste-to-biomethane plant to meet 4% of Scotland’s gas demand

Italy

Diageo Italy redundancies pushed back to October under new deal

UILA Lombardia and Diageo have reached an agreement softening the redundancy procedure opened on 13 July, which had threatened to dismantle the company’s Italian operations through the outsourcing of sales and distribution. Under the deal signed late on 27 August, the 86 workers declared redundant (ten executives are excluded) will remain employed until 31 October 2026. They will also receive a financial support package scaled to seniority—extended in full to workers still on probation—plus a company-funded outplacement service to assist with re-employment. UILA’s Alberto Donferri reaffirmed the union’s strongly critical view of the layoffs, but noted that the agreement secures vital resources to support workers through the transition.

Read the details in Ernesto Brambilla’s article for Bargiornale:

Licenziamenti in Diageo Italia, che cosa prevede l’accordo

Mexico

Agave crisis draws political scrutiny as prices collapse

An opinion piece in La Razón argues that Mexico’s roughly 3.5-fold agave overproduction has crashed prices to between 4 and 8 pesos per kilo (down from a peak of 32 pesos), squeezing around 8,000 commercial growers who expanded during the pandemic-era boom. The author notes that despite cheaper raw material, retail Tequila prices have not fallen, pointing specifically to the multinational groups controlling roughly 60% of Tequila production—Diageo, Bacardí, Brown-Forman, Pernod Ricard, and Campari—for capitalising on the oversupply.

Read Mauricio Flores’ column for La Razón:

La crisis del agave y las multinacionales

New markets

Sub-Saharan Africa: huge potential, but no shortcuts

IWSR’s latest analysis finds that total beverage alcohol volumes in Sub-Saharan Africa grew 1% in 2025, with a 2% CAGR forecast through to 2035, driven by young, urbanising populations. RTDs (+11%) and spirits (+6%) led regional growth, while wine declined 3%. However, downtrading rather than premiumisation remains the dominant trend, with consumers migrating from spirits to beer and from imports to local brands. Locally produced products already account for 97% of beer volumes and 80% of spirits. Country highlights include South Africa, where RTDs surged 14% and Cognac grew 18%; Nigeria, where millennials remain the key demographic and Indian whisky is gaining ground on blended Scotch; and Kenya, where Tequila volumes jumped 65% and Irish whiskey rose 35%.

Read Helen Jagger’s article for IWSR:

The next frontier: opportunities and challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa

Market analysis

IWSR rethinks what “premiumisation” really means today

A new IWSR report argues that industry premiumisation gains have been overstated once inflation is stripped out: global price-per-litre growth has trailed inflation every year since 2022. Genuine premiumisation is strongest in RTDs and beer, while premium-plus spirits volumes actually declined in 2025. Consumers’ perception of “premium” is also shifting from status symbols toward meaningful occasions and justifiable quality upgrades, with global travel retail standing out as a rare pocket of authentic, non-inflation-driven premiumisation.

Read Helen Jagger’s article for IWSR:

Premiumisation redefined: from pricing to meaningful moments

Something to read

What makes whisky, rum, and vodka different in India?

I recently came across an insightful article by Arav Shah for the Indian Express discussing the differences between whisky, rum, and vodka in India compared to Western standards.

Read the piece here:

What makes whisky, rum and vodka different? Not much, if you’re in India

I decided to dig a little deeper into the topic and found a slightly more detailed explanation in The Times of India:

Explained: Why some Indian whiskies aren’t considered whiskies by international standards

Are any of you familiar with the Indian spirits market? If you know this space well, I’d love to hear your thoughts and learn more—do get in touch!

Leave a comment

That’s all for today. See you soon!

Cheers, 🍹

Subscribe now

Hello everyone!

We have plenty to get through today, starting in Brazil with the freshly published Anuário da Cachaça 2026—a useful snapshot of where the category actually stands. From there, we move into major players territory: Campari sheds another batch of brands just as it posts its half-year results. Ireland gets an unexpected Chinese suitor, Mexico’s agave crisis takes a worrying turn, and we wrap up with more news from the US.

And for something a little different: my own dispatch from Marie-Galante, for anyone fancying a long, rum-soaked read this weekend.

Enjoy!

Brazil

Brazil’s cachaça sector counted: 1,538 producers, 234 million litres

Cachaça exports totalled 7.95 million litres in 2025, alongside other figures reported in the latest Anuário da Cachaça.

The freshly published Anuário da Cachaça 2026 maps the category’s 2025 performance across 1,538 producing establishments in 844 municipalities, led by Minas Gerais (564), São Paulo (230), and Rio Grande do Sul (106). Declared production reached 234.4 million litres, supporting 6,232 direct jobs, while exports totalled 7.95 million litres across 76 destinations, worth $17.07 million.
Read the news on Mapa’s official website:

Mapa publica Anuário da Cachaça 2026

For those who would like to look at the full dataset, the complete document can be found here:

Anuário 2026 repository

Major players

Campari offloads Cognac, tequila and rum brands as H1 results land

Campari has sold Bisquit & Dubouché Cognac and Cabo Wabo tequila to Dublin’s Cobblestone Brands, plus Martinique’s Bellonnie et Bourdillon Successeurs (Trois Rivières, Maison La Mauny, Duquesne) to an unnamed French buyer. The combined proceeds are estimated at around €30 million, with the deal closing by October. This step continues Campari’s disposal of “non-core” assets, alongside H1 results showing net sales of €1.51 billion, up 2.7% organically.
Read Satarupa Bhowmik’s article for Just Drinks:

Campari sells Cognac, rum and tequila brands

Campari’s official press release:

Campari Group H1 Results 2026

Cognac lifts Rémy Cointreau’s spirits in Q1

Rémy Cointreau posted Q1 sales of €223.2 million, up 1.3% organically. Cognac grew 7.7% to €141.9 million, driven by the Asia Pacific region and over 12% growth during China’s 618 e-commerce festival. The US saw solid growth, though Canada suffered from destocking. Liqueurs and spirits fell 6.6%, though key brands Cointreau, The Botanist, Bruichladdich, and Mount Gay all delivered positive depletion growth.
Report by Lauren Bowes for The Spirits Business:

Cognac raises hopes for Rémy Cointreau in Q1

Ireland and China

Chinese brewing giant Tsingtao teams up with Irish whiskey maker

Tsingtao, one of the world’s largest beer producers, has signed a long-term deal with Great Northern Distillery to supply Irish whiskey (aged three to 21 years) across China. The pair will also develop whiskey styles tailored to Chinese palates, while Gnd offers technical support as Tsingtao plans its own Chinese distillery. Irish whiskey exports fell 5% in value in 2025, making such diversification increasingly vital.
Read Rupert Hohwieler’s article in The Spirits Business:

Tsingtao enters Irish whiskey with Great Northern

Mexico

Agave crisis deepens as abandoned fields risk a pest outbreak

Abandoned agave plantations in Mexico are fuelling the spread of the agave weevil, specialists warn. Prices have collapsed from a 2023 record of 18,730 pesos per tonne to 12,500 in 2025, with a further drop to 4,500 projected—a 64% loss. Overproduction is to blame: stockpiled piñas could rise from 17 to 50 million by 2026, covering roughly 18 months of demand.
María Fernanda Solís’s report for Agrolatam:

El agave entra en crisis: caen los precios y una peligrosa plaga amenaza al tequila

USA

MGP’s whiskey business keeps sliding, down 59% in Q2

MGP’s distilling solutions division fell 42% in Q2, with brown spirits sales plunging 59% amid weak demand—the second consecutive quarterly slump. Total sales dropped 15% to $124.4 million, following the pause in production at two Kentucky distilleries in May. Mgp is now leaning into premium-plus options: Penelope Bourbon grew 13%, and Yellowstone also showed strong gains. Full-year guidance was reaffirmed at $480–500 million.
Read Nicola Carruthers’ article for The Spirits Business:

MGP’s whiskey sales plunge 59% in Q2

Something to read

A stew, a still, and an island that hasn’t finished with rum

Yes, this one is mine—for those of you who aren’t afraid of a long read! I followed Velier to the French Antilles this spring and spent some time on Marie-Galante, tracing the island’s sugar history from its 106 nineteenth-century sucreries down to the four distilleries left standing today: Bellevue, Bielle, Poisson, and Rhum Rhum.

There is a fair bit of chaudage involved (the island’s slow-cooked beef stew, which apparently has sealed more than one distilling partnership over the years), plus a deep dive into how Poisson’s Père Labat is renewing its stills and fields, and how Rhum Rhum’s double pot-still method sets it apart. Long, syrupy, and entirely unhurried, much like the island itself.
Read the article here:

Il tempo di uno chaudage e la dimensione del rhum a Marie-Galante

That should be enough reading material for your weekend, I expect. See you soon!

Cheers 🍹

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Hello everyone!

I am back with the news after receiving some very sad updates from the Caribbean. I am opening this press review with details of the boiler explosion at the Montebello distillery, which occurred last Friday morning.

After this sombre start, we will move to the UK for the latest on the Scotch industry—from the removal of US tariffs (let’s hope it lasts) to a significant report on excise duties by the Scotch Whisky Association. We will then take a look at Ireland’s changing alcohol consumption trends and Tequila’s rise in the Australian market.

Following that, are updates from the corporate sphere involving Brown-Forman and Sazerac, alongside news of Grenada’s Renegade Rum Distillery (which is slightly older, but too important to leave out).

Finally, we have some reading material concerning tea.

Help yourself to a look at what is happening across the world of spirits.

Guadeloupe

Blast at Montebello distillery claims two lives

A boiler explosion at the Montebello distillery in Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe, on 24 July killed one worker and injured four others, two of them critically. One of the critically injured has since passed away, bringing the death toll to two. A criminal investigation for involuntary homicide has been opened. Founded in 1930, Montebello is one of Guadeloupe’s oldest distilleries and was in full production at the time.
Read the coverage in La 1ère:

Explosion de la chaudière de la distillerie de Montebello : un second décès à déplorer

UK

Scotch industry breathes a sigh of relief as US tariffs are removed

The US scrapped its 10% tariff on Scotch whisky on 24 July, restoring zero-for-zero trade with its most valuable Scotch market. The move follows a May visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla, which Trump credited with securing the change. Pernod Ricard’s Nodjame Fouad welcomed the decision and urged similar relief for Irish whiskey, Champagne, and Cognac. The US Scotch market was worth £933 million last year, according to Swa figures.
Read Jessica Broadbent’s article for Global Drinks Intel:

Scotch industry breathes sigh of relief as US tariff removed

Swa presses Treasury for a Scotch duty freeze

The Scotch Whisky Association is campaigning for a multi-year freeze on UK excise duty, warning that a 14% cumulative rise since November 2023 has failed to deliver the Treasury’s forecast revenue. Duty receipts came in £676 million below the Obr’s 2023 projection. The Swa also highlighted lingering uncertainty over US tariffs and long lead times before the benefits of a UK-India free trade agreement materialise, while noting that the sector supports 66,000 UK jobs.
Read the update on the Scotch Whisky Association’s website:

UK excise duty on Scotch whisky and spirits

Ireland

Irish alcohol consumption falls further, now level with EU average

Alcohol consumption per Irish adult fell by 2.1% last year to 9.30 litres of pure alcohol, marking a 35.6% drop since peaking in 2001, according to Digi’s latest report by economist Anthony Foley. Ireland now sits just below the average of the 17 EU countries plus the UK tracked by the Oecd, effectively ending its status as a high-consumption outlier.

Beer remains the most popular drink with a 42.1% market share despite a volume decline, while wine grew to 29.4%, more than doubling since 2000. Spirits held steady at 22.4%. Digi is using these figures to lobby for a 10% excise cut in Budget 2027, arguing that Irish drinkers already face some of the highest alcohol taxes in the EU, which is squeezing pubs and small hospitality businesses.
You can read the press release from Digi here:

Alcohol consumption in Ireland continues to fall, with 36% reduction over 25 years

For a deeper look into the figures, you can access the latest report on their website:

Digi Consumption Report 2026

Australia

Tequila keeps climbing in Australia as the category matures

Tequila and agave spirits remain a pocket of growth in Australia’s otherwise declining spirits market, with Statista forecasting 1.9% annual growth through to 2029, reaching over $530 million in value. Consumer research shows just 26% now associate tequila primarily with party shots, as cocktails and mixers take over.

Meanwhile, the Iwsr notes global pricing pressures and an approaching agave supply glut that is expected to ease costs within three to five years, while pointing out that tequila’s growth epicentre is increasingly shifting beyond the US and Mexico to markets like India, West Africa, and Japan.

More details in Cody Profaca’s article for Drinks Trade:

Tequila’s Australian growth story enters its next chapter

Acquisitions market

Brown-Forman rebuffs fresh Sazerac takeover approach

Brown-Forman’s board has rejected a new unsolicited takeover offer from Sazerac, deeming it “not actionable.” Wolf Pen Branch, the group of Brown family members holding the majority of Class A shares, stated that the proposal did not align with their vision for the company’s future. Sazerac, owned by the Goldring family and home to brands such as Southern Comfort and Fireball, previously offered $32 a share in cash back in May, valuing Brown-Forman at roughly $15 billion; that bid was also turned down.

This renewed approach follows the collapse of merger talks between Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard in April, and comes shortly after Brown-Forman announced CEO Lawson Whiting’s planned retirement, which analysts suggest may have prompted Sazerac’s timing.

The news was reported by Reuters:

Brown-Forman board says Sazerac unsolicited proposal not actionable

Grenada’s farm-to-bottle rum pioneer hits the market

Grenada’s Renegade Rum Distillery, founded by whisky entrepreneur Mark Reynier, has been put up for sale via Ey-Parthenon Caribbean. Built on a strict ‘farm-to-bottle’ model with full traceability, it sources its sugarcane from 12 neighbouring farms.
Melita Kiely’s wrote about it for The Spirits Business:

Renegade Rum Distillery seeks buyer

The Spirits Business has also published a sponsored promotional piece featuring an interview between Melita Kiely and Maria Daniel, managing partner at Ey-Parthenon Caribbean. You can find it here, in case you’d like to have a look:

Community first: why Renegade is more than an acquisition opportunity

Something to read

Tea brews up as beverage alcohol’s next big flavour opportunity

The Iwsr flags tea as a versatile flavour platform spanning hard tea, matcha RTDs, and tea-infused spirits. US hard tea volumes have grown at a 22% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since 2021, while mate is proving popular in Brazil and Switzerland, and green tea has established itself as a common Scotch mixer in China.
Read Helen Jagger’s article for the IWSR:

Time for tea: how a global flavour trend can boost beverage alcohol

That’s all for today. I will do my best to post again as soon as possible.

Cheers, 🍹

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Hello everyone!

Today’s press review takes us around the world, from Scotland to France, and across the Atlantic Ocean. I hope you enjoy the selection.

UK

Scotland’s First Minister to visit Kentucky

First Minister John Swinney is set to visit Kentucky to continue negotiations aimed at removing the 10% tariff on Scotch whisky. The visit will follow Swinney’s trip to Boston, where he will be supporting the Scottish national team during their first World Cup finals appearance since 1998.

Read the press release from the Scottish Government:

Making progress on Scotch whisky tariffs

France

Ugvc reacts to the decrease in wine and eaux-de-vie purchases

The General Union of Winegrowers for the Cognac Aoc (Ugvc) has voiced strong opposition to Rémy Martin’s recent announcement regarding the reduction of wine and eaux-de-vie purchases for the current campaign. The trading house indicated it would need to cut its procurement by 20%. You can find the news in our last press review here:

Read the official Ugvc press release here:

Le Conseil d’Administration de l’UGVC s’oppose aux nouvelles baisses d’achats à la viticulture

Meanwhile, the Syndicat des Maisons de Cognac (Smc) is calling for collective discussions on the “adaptation of production potential, shared economic management, and the commercial revival of markets.”

More details in Alexandre Abellan’s article for Vitisphère (subscription required):

Le négoce de Cognac n’a plus les moyens “des achats très supérieurs à ses besoins réels” étant “sur le front pour sa survie”

Brazil

Minas Gerais’s cachaça to become state intangible heritage

Leônidas Oliveira, the Secretary of State for Culture and Tourism of Minas Gerais (Secult-Mg), has announced progress in the process to recognise traditional methods and artisanal cachaça distilleries in Minas Gerais as intangible cultural heritage of the state. A final decision on the status is expected in September.

News by Lilian Monteiro in Encontro:

Minas quer eternizar a cachaça de alambique como patrimônio imaterial

The Caribbean

Global Ports Holding to negotiate operations in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Global Ports Holding is in negotiations with the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines regarding the management, development, and operation of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cruise Port. If a deal is finalised, the company would manage the port on the government’s behalf, potentially leading to new berths, infrastructure improvements, larger ships, and increased shore excursions.
Full article by Caitlin Sullivan in Caribbean Journal:

The World’s Largest Cruise Port Operator Is Coming to This Caribbean Island, With New Berths, Bigger Ships and More Shore Excursions

China

Pernod Ricard launches its first Chinese whisky

Pernod Ricard has officially launched The Chuan pure malt whisky—its first whisky produced in China. The Chuan Malt Whisky Distillery Experience Centre has subsequently opened its doors in Emeishan, Sichuan.

I haven’t found the official press release on the company’s website yet, but you can read it in PR Newswire Asia:

From Chengdu to the World, Pernod Ricard, the worldwide leader in the spirits industry showcases Chinese Whisky “THE CHUAN” through Hong Kong

Something to read

Piña Colada is coming back

Alice Lascelles has penned a brilliant article for the Financial Times on the Piña Colada, describing it as “a guilty pleasure that’s set for a comeback this summer.” Love it or hate it, I certainly agree that the drink is enjoying a resurgence.

Have you seen it on menus near you recently? Let me know where.

Read the article here:

Are you Piña Colada-curious?

That’s all for today, I’ll see you later this week!

Cheers 🍹

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Hello everyone!

Here is an essential collection of news from these days’ press review.

From transport links in Scotland to the growing trend of Martini bars, I hope you enjoy today’s selection.

GBM Scotland claims for better connections across northern Scotland

“Good roads and reliable ferries” are essential for the Scotch whisky and tourism industries to help protect jobs and communities in the north of Scotland. Louise Gilmour, the Gmb Scotland secretary, called on the Scottish and UK governments to improve road, rail, and sea connections across the area during the union’s annual congress in Blackpool. “The industry is one of Scotland’s greatest success stories and does not exist in isolation,” she noted.

How could we not agree?

Article by Lauren Bowes in The Spirits Business:

Scotch transport causing ‘economic self-harm’, says union

Diageo sells Indian production site

Diageo’s Indian division is set to close one of its manufacturing facilities in Venkateshwara Nagara, located in the Malkajgiri district of Hyderabad.

News by Joe Rogers in The Spirits Business:

Diageo India to close manufacturing unit in Hyderabad

France

Rémy Cointreau promises a return to growth

Rémy Cointreau has announced a 35% decline in annual net profit, but it has promised a return to growth for the new financial year, driven by its “transformation plan.” Key aspects of this plan include a stronger focus on consumers, a relaunch in the US market, diversification in China, expansion in emerging markets, and an internal reorganization.

More details in this article in France24 (no author mentioned):

Rémy Cointreau promet un retour à la croissance

…meanwhile

Rémy Martin cuts purchases by 20%

One year after renegotiating contracts with its partner winegrowers and slashing delivered volumes by an average of 25%, Rémy Martin has announced a further 20% reduction in volume for the 2026 harvest due to the current shipping crisis. The company is the second-largest trader in Charente.

News by Thomas Brunet in Charente Libre:

Crise du cognac : Rémy Martin sabre à nouveau ses achats de 20 %

Mandatory survey for the temporary uprooting of vines in Charente

The Cognac industry has given itself two months to quantify the need for a temporary reduction in production potential—which could become permanent if combined with an additional subsidy—to avoid further cuts to annual yields.

News by Alexandre Abellan in Vitisphère:

Sondage obligé pour l’arrachage temporaire primé à 4 500 €/ha des vignes charentaises

Something to read

Martinis and Martini bars

I have recently been collecting materials for an article about long drinks, and I came across a statement by one of the most acknowledged mixology specialists in Italy. He observed: “Long drinks are on the rise thanks to their lower abv, but the Martini is on the rise too, for completely different reasons.” That is true.

When I read this article by Eleanor Yates in Drinks International, I thought you might appreciate it as well:

Behind the unstoppable rise of the Martini bar

It leaves me wondering: do you think a dedicated Martini bar is a good idea? How durable could such a concept be, and how long-term should entrepreneurs think when opening one?

Let me know what you think.

Leave a comment

I will see you in a few days.

Cheers 🍸

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Hello everyone!

Here is today’s selection of news, featuring industry investments, production pauses, market performance updates, news from Mexico, and the second part of Matt Pietrek’s fascinating deep dive into high-ester rums.

Enjoy.

La Martiniquaise-Bardinet invests in Spanish liquors

The French group La Martiniquaise-Bardinet has acquired a 40% stake in the Spanish spirits producer Street Liquors through its Bardinet business.
The news was reported by María Jesús Ibáñez in the Spanish publication El Periódico:

El fabricante de Ron Negrita y Cutty Sark entra en la licorera navarra que elabora el Plata o Plomo

…and confirmed to Just Drinks.
You can find more details in Fiona Holland’s article here:

La Martiniquaise-Bardinet invests in Spanish liqueur company

Brown-Forman halts production at Slane Distillery

The global group Brown-Forman has paused production at its Slane Irish Whiskey distillery. The company told Robb Report that any potential reopening would be “determined by demand planning and forecasting,” though the stoppage is currently listed as temporary. The news surfaced after an employee noted on LinkedIn that distillation would cease “for the next number of years.”
Article by Jonah Flicker in Robb Report:

Brown-Forman Is Halting Production at Its Irish Whiskey Distillery

How’s Brown-Forman performing?

Brown-Forman has been in the headlines quite a bit recently, largely due to acquisition speculation involving major players like Pernod Ricard and Sazerac.

- Our press review about merger talks with Pernod Ricard here.

- Financial Times report on the Sazerac here.

This topic triggered one of ’s podcast episodes, featuring . You can find it here (subscription required):

The Big Realignment: Consolidation, Distribution, and What May Happen to Everyone Below the Deal in Possible Spirits M&As

The group also published its fiscal 2026 results yesterday. The company reported mixed outcomes: net sales fell 1% to $3.9 billion, operating income dropped 10%, and earnings per share declined 17%. However, the firm generated significantly stronger cash flow and returned $827 million to shareholders. Market conditions remain challenging due to economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and softer alcohol consumption, particularly in developed markets.
Official report here:

Brown‑Forman Reports Fiscal 2026 Results

US

RNDC closes 3 facilities and cuts 56 jobs in Ohio

The US distributor Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) is planning to cut a portion of its workforce in Ohio, including the closure of three facilities: two in Cincinnati and one in Columbus. Further job losses are planned in Washington, Alaska, and South Dakota as part of a wider company reorganization.
News by Nicola Carruthers in The Spirits Business:

RNDC to axe 56 jobs in Ohio

Mexico

Huanímaro seeks alternative for agave

In Guanajuato, the Huanímaro government is promoting new ways to use agave to mitigate a collapse in prices caused by overproduction and to prevent producers from abandoning their crops. Josué Magdaleno, the municipality’s director of agricultural development, told the press: “We implemented a course where they were taught how to transform agave not only into tequila, but also into syrup, distillates, and other products.”
News reported by Gerry Orozco in the Mexican publication Notus Noticia:

Huanímaro busca alternativas para productores agaveros

A new research lab for bacanora

A new specialized laboratory is set to open in Ures (in the Mexican state of Sonora) to foster research and development related to the production of Bacanora. This initiative stems from an agreement signed by the Sonora State Government with the Technological University of Hermosillo (Uth) and the Sonora Bacanora Regulatory Council.
News by Alexis Ramírez Valenzuela in Meganoticias Mexico:

They are going to create a laboratory to promote bacanora in Sonora

Something to read

If you enjoyed Matt Pietrek’s first article on high-ester rum, you will certainly appreciate the second part of his series on Rum Wonk.
Link here below:

Rum Wonk

Making Funky, High Ester Rum Part 2 - Dunder and Acid

This is part two of a four-part deep dive into how funky, high-ester rums are created. There’s much more to it than just a particular yeast strain and a long fermentation…

Read more

5 months ago · 12 likes · 4 comments · Matt Pietrek

That’s all for today!

Have a great weekend, and sip wisely ;)

Cheers 🥃

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Hello everyone!

While I am currently trying to balance my work-life commitments (today is a national holiday in Italy, and being on a business trip certainly doesn’t make that any easier), I have managed to select some interesting pieces of news for you.

Today’s press review starts with the world of RTDs and ends with some “funky” esters. Can you guess what the final reading is about?

Ready-to-drink

Cocktails and RTDs continue to rise in US control states

According to the latest report from the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (Nabca), the cocktail category grew by 34.7% in volume and 33.1% in value across 18 control jurisdictions in April, compared to the same month in 2025. This is notable because the Nabca’s research includes RTDs in this category, helping us track their market performance more effectively.

Looking at other categories, cachaça is the second-largest (after cocktails), with volumes up 15.3% and values up 19.9%—though it is worth noting this comes from a much smaller segment. Tequila is slowing down (+0.2% in volume), while Scotch recorded the largest volume drop (-9.8%).

You can find more details in Nicola Carruthers’s article in The Spirits Business (please, keep my explanation in mind while reading the title):

RTDs soar in US control states in April

Note: I have yet to find this data on the Nabca’s official website, but it may be published here in the coming days: Nabca news and media.

Context: For those wondering what “control jurisdictions” are, there are 17 control states and three jurisdictions in the United States where the government plays a direct, hands-on role in the sale and distribution of alcohol. This is where the Nabca collects its data. You can find more information here: Nabca control state directory and info.

RTDs are soaring in the UK too

According to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s (Wsta) new Sip 2 report, RTD sales generated £704 million in the UK off-trade last year. The category grew by 12% year-on-year in volume and 17% in value. One of the primary drivers for this growth appears to be the rising cost-of-living pressure, which is pushing consumers to seek more affordable ways to maintain their drinking habits.
You can read Rupert Hohwieler’s article in The Spirits Business here:

RTD sales pass £700m in UK off-trade

Buichladdich dives into RTDs

The Rémy Cointreau-owned Bruichladdich brand is launching a canned cocktail range in partnership with Whitebox. The collection will include a Dry Martini and a White Negroni made with The Botanist gin, a Whisky Sour made with the distillery’s Classic Laddie, and a Penicillin made with the heavily peated Port Charlotte whisky.
The cans will be available for £6 each from the Bruichladdich distillery, or £20 for a four-pack via its website. The initial release is limited to 5,000 cans per recipe.
News by Lauren Bowes in The Spirits Business:

Bruichladdich creates RTDs with Whitebox

West Highland Gin enters RTD’s

Loch Lomond made a similar announcement a few days earlier, extending its West Highlands Spirits portfolio into the RTD sector.
More details in Jessica Broadbent’s article in Global Drinks Intel:

Loch Lomond Brewery extends West Highland Spirits into RTDs

How to target the RTD opportunity, by IWSR

The International Wine and Spirits Research (Iwsr) features an article in Global Drinks Intel about how spirits brands can approach the RTD category. Yes, there is an element of self-promotion here, but sponsors don’t always produce poor content. I particularly value IWSR partner content, as it often offers significant data and perspectives on market and consumer behaviour. I will leave this for your reading:

Too big to ignore – How spirits brand owners should target the RTD opportunity – Category Intel

Packaging

F&B companies urge the EU PPWR to be delayed

August 12 is the deadline for the implementation of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which impact several industries, including spirits.
Here are some older statements and articles about this topic:

Spirits Europe - spiritsEUROPE welcomes the publication of the European Commission’s proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

Nicola Carruthers, The Spirits Business - EU packaging rules could ‘standardise’ spirits bottles

Now, 138 F&B companies—including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Burger King, Kraft Heinz, Heineken, and Mondelēz—have signed a leaked letter addressed to the European Commission urging the deadline to be delayed.
More details in Packaging Insights:

PPWR’s August deadline under pressure as leaked industry letter draws NGO backlash

You can find for more information about the PPWR on the EU official website, here: Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

Something to read

How (funky) high-ester rums are made

guides us through the world of high-ester rum with two articles on his website, . The first introduces flavours, organic compounds, and yeasts used in the industry. I should warn you: this is strictly for the geeks! But if you want to go deep into the subject, I strongly recommend reading it:

Rum Wonk

Making Funky, High Ester Rum - Part 1

Sometimes my procrastination about starting to write subconsciously signals that I have more mental homework to do. So it was, while procrastinating over a story about a new high-ester rum, that I realized I needed to further hone my understanding of some nerdy, wonk fundamentals…

Read more

5 months ago · 30 likes · 2 comments · Matt Pietrek

You can also find this other article recalled along the text:

Rum Wonk

Esters, Volatile Compounds, and Congeners - What's the Difference?

As more high-end brands target the enthusiast crowd with expensive bottlings, their customers naturally want to know more than the typical label provides. One helpful detail some brands provide is the “ester level.” However, other measurements are sometimes provided alongside or instead of an ester level…

Read more

4 years ago · 21 likes · 14 comments · Matt Pietrek

That is all for today, I’ll see you later this week for another selection of news.

And a very happy Republic Day to all my Italian subscribers!

Cheers 🥃

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Hello from Charles de Gaulle airport!

I have another two hours to kill before I finally board my flight to Venice, following an eight-day trip visiting rum distilleries in the French Caribbean. What better way to spend the wait than by rounding up the latest industry news?

Trump to remove tariffs on Scotch whisky following King Charles visit

US President Donald Trump has announced that he intends to slash tariffs on Scotch whisky imports. The move follows King Charles III’s state visit this week to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump stated: “In honour of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom […] I will be removing the tariffs and restrictions on whisky having to do with Scotland’s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on whiskey and Bourbon, two very important industries within Scotland and Kentucky.”

Read the full report by Daphne Psaledakis and Christian Martinez for Reuters:

Trump lifts tariffs on UK whisky to toast departing King Charles

Reactions from the major trade associations can be found here:

Scotch Whisky Association (SWA)

Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS)

Mezcal Gi extended to new municipalities in Puebla

The Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (Impi) has announced an expansion of the Denomination of Origin (Do) for Mezcal in Puebla. The municipalities of Puebla and Huaquechula have now been incorporated into the protected region, bringing the state’s total to 118 designated municipalities.
News by Anaid Piñas in El Popular:

Puebla suma 118 municipios con Denominación de Origen del mezcal: IMPI

Official announcement on Gobierno de Maxico’s website:

IMPI entrega a Puebla la ampliación de la DO Mezcal; y la IG “Tuna Rojo Vigor de San Sebastián Villanueva”

Cognac launches temporary uprooting plan to balance production

The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (Bnic) has introduced a new temporary uprooting (grubbing up) scheme to reduce production potential. The plan offers producers €3,000 per hectare, with an additional €1,500 after five years, or a €3,000 bonus if rights are waived within three to five years of uprooting. The Bnic is also calling on the European Union for compensation to offset the impact of Chinese anti-dumping duties.
Analysis by Alexandre Abellan in Vitisphere:

Cognac ouvre un arrachage temporaire primé à 4 500 €/ha : “si on ne réduit pas le vignoble, cela aura un impact sur les prochains rendements”

Further coverage in Le Figaro:

Supprimer «12.000 à 13.000 hectares» : le cognac se lance dans un vaste plan d’arrachage

Barbancourt calls for urgent state intervention as crisis deepens in Toussaint Louverture International Airport area

Barbancourt Distillery, along with Brasserie de la Couronne and Brasserie Séjourné, has issued a joint press release demanding immediate government action to secure the area around Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Haiti.

The region, critical for logistics, is under threat from gang violence. These three companies employ approximately 2,500 people and indirectly support the livelihoods of 160,000 more. Beyond the economic impact, the Fondation Barbancourt remains a vital lifeline for local healthcare and education.

Report via Bloomberg:

Haiti Rum Giant, Bottlers Warn of ‘New Lost Zone’ on Gang Havoc

Original statement via Rhum Barbancourt’s official X profile:

That’s all for today, but I will have some more news about rum in the next days… keep in touch and thank’s for following.

Cheers ;)

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Hello everyone!

Here I am again, after a long pause. I’ve been navigating that tricky work-life-interests balance lately, but I’m finding my rhythm again.

Today, we have a significant amount of data to dig into, including the DISCUS report on US spirits exports and the latest figures from the UK. I’ve tried to look beyond the headlines you might see in the mainstream press to unpack what these reports actually mean for us. I’ve summarised the most significant data below—and for the record, this analysis is entirely human-made. I’m a total nerd when it comes to market figures, and I couldn’t let an AI have all the fun!

You will also find a round-up of some of the most significant news from the spirits world this week.

Enjoy.

US spirits export beyond the headlines

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has released its 2025 American spirits exports report, and the figures clearly reflect the heavy impact of tariffs and global trade tensions. Here are the key figures I’ve pulled out for you:

• Global decline: Spirits exports dropped by 3.8% globally.

• The Canada factor: The ban on US spirits in Canada was the single hardest hit to exports, which plummeted by 70% year-on-year across the provinces.

• Whiskey struggles: The whiskey category is suffering the most, losing 19% globally and 35% in the EU.

• Dominant category: Despite the decline, whiskey remains the most exported category by far, even though it recorded its lowest market share in 2025 (45%, worth US$1,075m).

• EU importance: The EU remains the largest single market for US spirits, accounting for 51% of global exports.

• Growth spots: Brazil and the UK saw the most considerable increases in US spirits imports.

• Inventory surge: American whiskey inventory has increased by 126% since 2012 (rising from 475 million to 1,075 million proof gallons).

A little context… While reviewing these figures, it is worth remembering a few broader facts:

• The value of US spirits exports in 2025 was more than five times higher than in 2000 (rising from US$478m to US$2,369m).

• The number of US distillers has grown from fewer than 100 to more than 2,300 today.

• The “zero-for-zero” tariff agreement was crucial in enabling this long-term growth.

You can read the full report here:

American Spirits Export 2025

DISCUS’s official press release here:

American Spirits Exports Report: U.S. Spirits Exports Decline 3.8% in 2025 Amid Ongoing Trade Friction

UK spirits exports beyond the headlines

The UK Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has released its report on the country’s 2025 trade performance. Whisky remains the crown jewel of UK exports. Here are the most significant highlights for our industry:

• Top spot: Whisky is the UK’s top exporting category, worth £5.5 billion in 2025. This accounts for a 21.48% share of the UK’s total food and drink exports

• Performance: Whisky exports decreased by 0.8% in value and 4.3% in volume.

• European demand: Exports to Europe are worth £1.5bn, making it the UK’s top exported product to the continent with a 10.14% share of all trade (the value of total exports to Europe is UK£14.8b).

• Market share: Europe absorbs more than 27% of UK whisky exports by value (£1.5bn out of £5.5bn).

• Gin figures: UK gin is the tenth largest export category, valued at £602.6m (a 2.34% share of total food and drink exports).

• Gin vs Whisky: Globally, gin is performing better than whisky in terms of growth, but we should be cautious: while volume increased slightly (+0.3%), the 13.7% increase in value is likely heavily influenced by inflation.

A little context:

• The UK’s total food and drink exports reached £25.6bn in 2025.

• Europe remains the UK’s most vital trade partner, representing 62.5% of global exports.

• Ireland and France are the top export markets globally, followed by the US.

For those who’d like to have a closer look, here is the full report, including imports:

FDF - Trade Snapshot 2025

You can read FDF’s official press release here:

Food and drink export values reach record high in 2025, but volumes fail to return to pre-Brexit levels

For a more detailed comparison with pre-Brexit performance, you can view the 2019 report here:

FDF - Exports Snapshot 2019

Industry highlights

Pernod and Brown-Forman in merger talks

In what would be a seismic shift for the industry, the two spirits giants, Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman, are discussing a potential merger. The news was first reported by Bloomberg and spread rapidly before being confirmed by both companies.

You can read Ryan Gould, Ruth David, Michelle F Davis, and Crystal Tse’s report in Bloomberg:

Pernod Ricard Weighs Deal for Jack Daniel’s Maker Brown-Forman

You can read the official statements here:

Pernod Ricard confirms discussions with Brown-Forman

Brown‑Forman Confirms Discussions with Pernod Ricard

Suntory drops plans for whisky facility in Scotland

The drinks giant Suntory has abandoned its plans to build a £150m whisky warehouse in Kilmarnock (East Ayrshire, Scotland). The company has indicated that the investment will now be redirected to other projects.
You can read more in Jonathan Geddes’s article for the BBC:

Whisky giant drops plans for £150m facility in Ayrshire

Something to read

Understanding Indian spirits market

Yes, markets again. I’ll try to stay more on the stories in my next newsletter. The Spirits Business released some sponsored-but-good content by the IWSR that I think is worth reading if you are interested in the Indian market (no author mentioned):

How to crack India’s complex spirits market

That’s more than enough for today, I think.

Have a great day and see you soon! 😉

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Hello everyone!

Before we dive into the headlines, I have some personal news to share: I have recently taken on the role of managing editor and spirits specialist at Falstaff Italia, the Italian branch of Austria’s oldest gourmet magazine. Falstaff is a leading publication in German-speaking countries and was launched in Italy in November 2024.

As a result, my collaborations with other national publications, such as Linkiesta, are currently suspended. However, I will continue to write for the two local monthly editions of Corriere della Sera (Northeast Italy and Bologna) covering bars and cocktails.

And, of course, this blog is safe!

Now, on to the news. We have a wealth of export reports to dive into, along with some significant developments in international trade.

Trump’s tariffs back in the spotlight after Supreme Court ruling

One of the biggest stories last week was the US Supreme Court ruling against Trump’s tariffs. In a 6-3 decision, the justices held that the president’s aggressive approach to global tariffs was not permitted under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEP).

However, despite this legal blow, the president has immediately announced new import duties on goods from all countries, ranging from 10% to 15%. This story is dominating the headlines; here are the articles I recommend for a full breakdown…

NBC News, by Lawrence Hurley:

Supreme Court strikes down most of Trump’s tariffs in a major blow to the president

Reuters, by Andrew Chung and John Kruzel:

US Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s global tariffs

CNN, by Auzinea Bacon

Trump announces global tariffs will increase to 15% from 10% ‘effective immediately’

The Guardian, by Lucy Campbell

Trump raises tariffs to 15% on imports from all countries

I also highly recommend reading the story of Victor Schwartz, a small New York wine importer who risked his business to challenge these tariffs in court.
Article by Elisabeth Buchwald in CNN Business:

While corporate America stayed silent, a small wine importer risked his business to challenge Trump’s tariffs

Meanwhile

USDA invests over $1 million to boost American spirits exports

The US Department of Agriculture (Usda) has awarded the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (Discus) $1,076,152 via its Market Access Program. The funding is intended to promote American spirits in international markets throughout 2026, specifically targeting Germany, Poland, France, the UK, Japan, Taiwan, and Australia. To be eligible, products must be distilled from at least 51% US agricultural raw materials.
Article by Lauren Bowes in The Spirits Business:

Discus bags $1m to promote US spirits

Scotch whisky export figures for 2025: a mixed picture

The Scotch Whisky Association (Swa) has released its export data for 2025. While there are signs of stabilization, several challenges remain:

• Total export value: Fell slightly by 0.64% (from £5.4bn in 2024 to £5.36bn in 2025). This is a significant improvement on the 3.7% drop seen the previous year.

• The US market: Volume is down by 15%, largely attributed to the impact of tariffs.

• India: Continues its impressive growth, now ranking as the third-largest market by value.

• The EU: Remains the largest regional market by both value and volume.

• France: While value dropped by 3.6% and volume by 14%, it remains the second-largest export market for Scotch.

Full details on the SWA website:

Scotch whisky exports to the United States down 15% since tariffs implemented

For an even deeper dive into bulk versus bottled exports, I recommend this analysis by Martin Purvis and Duncan McFadzean in Commercial Spirits Intelligence, here on Substack:

Is the storm passing? - 2025 Export volumes of Scotch Whisky

One in five Scotch distilleries under pressure according to BTG

According to the financial advisory and restructuring firm Begbies Traynor (Btg), 69 distilleries in Scotland and a further 217 across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are facing financial difficulties.

A note on media literacy: When I started this blog, I promised to occasionally “pull back the curtain” on how industry communication works. This story is a perfect example of a press-office-led news cycle. You will see this exact data appearing across multiple publications simultaneously because it stems from a Btg press release.

By releasing these figures, the firm positions itself as a “thought leader” and a competent partner for businesses in distress. There is nothing inherently wrong with this—it is simply how professional communication works—but it is worth remembering that the “news” is also a marketing tool for the consultancy.

Read some of the coverage here:

Scottish financial news (no author mentioned):

One in five Scottish distilleries under threat amid global export slump

Lauren Bowes in The Spirits Business:

One in five Scotch distilleries in financial distress

Global gin volumes slowing, but the category remains resilient

According to IWSR data cited in The Gin Guild’s 2025 Annual Report, gin volumes grew by 1% in the first half of 2025 across the top 20 markets, compared to 4% in 2024.

While Scotch has struggled in the US, gin performed strongly there in 2025, with volumes up 7% and value surging by 23.8% to £100 million. Emerging markets like the Philippines, China, Nigeria, and India are driving growth through traditional gin profiles, with India looking particularly promising following the UK-India trade agreement. Turkey also stands out as a top performer, with value up 28.1%.

You can read all the details on The Gin Guild’s official website:

The Gin Guild annual report 2025

France

French spirits exports fell by 17% in 2025

Figures from the Fédération des Exportateurs de Vins & Spiritueux (Fevs) show that exports of French wine and spirits fell by 8% last year. This was primarily driven by the US market, where sales plummeted by 21% due to tariffs.

Spirits were hit particularly hard, falling 17% in value to €3.7 billion. Exports to China also weighed on the results, dropping by 20%.
Article in Le Figaro (no author mentioned):

Plombées par un repli aux États-Unis, les exportations de vins et spiritueux français ont reculé de 8% en 2025

FEVS’s official website does not appear to have published their press release.
Here is another article reporting the news, for those of you who may prefer reading in English.
Nicola Carruthers’s article in The Spirits Business:

French spirits exports in decline for third year

Something to read

Six key trends shaping the alcohol industry in 2026

Yes, it’s still that time of the year, when everybody wants to predict the market’s next 12 months. Sarcasm aside, market predictions are incredibly useful tools for keeping your eyes open to shifting patterns. The Iwsr has identified six key drivers for the year ahead:

1. Gen Z behaviour evolution

2. Affordability drives choice

3. Broad-based developing market growth

4. Experience and exploration in global travel retail

5. RTDs: a multi-trend touchpoint

6. Innovation’s increasing importance

Insights on the IWSR website:

Six key drivers shaping beverage alcohol in 2026 and beyond

Ebook here:

Beverage Alcohol Drivers 2026

That is probably more than enough to digest for today!

I’ll see you again in a few days ;)

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Hello everyone!

We have a wealth of data coming out of the United States today, as the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) have just released their latest periodic reports.

We also have updates from Puerto Rico, Mexico, and elsewhere, before heading back to the US for an interesting look at the current state of independent bottling.

Enjoy!

USA

DISCUS’s annual economic briefing is out

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has released its annual report on spirits sales in the US. Total sales value declined by 2.2% in 2025, as a result of weakening consumption and persistent economic pressures. In this context, total sales volumes saw a slight increase of 1.9%, and the industry mantained its market share, reaching 42.4% last year.

The RTD category continues to show the fastest growth. Spirits-based RTDs have doubled their market share since 2021, with premixed cocktails reaching US$3.8 billion in 2025 - an increase of 16.4% year‑on‑year.

Vodka remained the most valuable spirits category last year, with total sales of US$ 7 billion, followed by Tequila/Mezcal (US$6.4 billion), American Whiskey (US$5.1 billion) and RTDs. Cordials reached US$ 2.7 billion.
You can read all the details in DISCUS’s official website here:

Distilled Spirits Council Annual Economic Briefing 2025

Or watch the video presentation here:

Full support tables here.

And powerpoint slides here.

Bourbon is worth US$10.6 billion and 24,000 jobs to Kentucky

According to the last report by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, Bourbon now contributes US$ 10.6 billion to the State of Kentucky, supporting nearly 24,000 jobs. The use of corn from Kentucky farm families reached an all-time high of 84% in the last years and the industry generates US$372 million in annual state and local tax revenue.
You can read the official press release in the the Kentucky Distillers’ Association’s website:

Kentucky Bourbon’s Impact On State Economy Remains Strong & Substantial

Direct link to the full economic report here.

Puerto Rico

Nine small producers get Tax Cover Over for the first time in 15 years

The Puerto Rican government has extended the Rum Tax Cover Over measure to nine emerging local rum producers for the first time in 15 years. The move, announced by Governor Jenniffer González Colón, allows smaller companies to receive subsidies derived from taxes paid on rum sales in the United States - a benefit previously dominated by larger players
News via WiPr (no author mentioned):

Gobierno extiende el Rum Tax Cover Over a nueve productores emergentes de rones locales

Mexico

Jalisco seeks positioning as tourist destination

Jalisco is reinforcing its status as one of Mexico’s premier tourist destinations. The strategy combines improved air connectivity, the attraction of international events, and significant hotel expansion, with a commitment to economic benefits throughout the state. The Guadalajara-Madrid flight route, in particupar, has bolstered both tourism and foreign trade, mantaining an average occupancy of 96% and high demand in cargo transport.
You can read Patricia Romo’s article in El Economista:

Jalisco busca consolidarse como potencia turística internacional

Germany

Spirithöker announced ad exclusive distributor for Partisan Vodka, Brick Gin, and Guerrilla Rum

Partisan Vodka, Brick Gin, and Guerrilla Rum have officially announced an exclusive collaboration with the distribution partner Spirithöker for the German market. Starting March 1, 2026, the brands will move away from their former partner, Other Guys.
The news is likely to come from a press release and you can find it in AboutDrinks (no author mentioned):

Spirithöker takes over distribution of Partisan Vodka, Brick Gin and Guerilla Rum

Caribbean

DDL’s CEO urges Caribbean governments to negotiate tax reductions with India

Komal Samaroo, CEO of Demerara Distillers Limited’s (DDL), has called on CARICOM regional governments to engage with the Indian government to reduce tariffs on spirits. Currently, import duties on spirits from CARICOM member states to India stand at approximately 200%.
News via Stabroek News Guyana (no author mentioned):

Regional gov’t’s must seek tariff reduction for alcohol to India

Something to read

The bright side of overproduction for independent bottlers

Gina Pace has written an insightful piece for Forbes on how the current oversupply of whiskey barrels is allowing American bottlers and brokers to find their footing again. After years of “insane” market prices, the reset is providing a new lease of life for brands like Shortbarrel Bourbon.

I highly recommend that any independent bottlers read this right to the end ;)
Gina Pace for Forbes:

How A Whiskey Market Reset Is Fueling Shortbarrel Bourbon’s Rise

That’s all for today!

Don’t forget to share your comments and messages.

Cheers!

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Hello everyone!

Here is a round-up of the key headlines to kick off the week. While the most significant developments involve major international trade agreements, we also have some interesting distillery stories, including notable news from Australia.

Enjoy.

UK and Scotland

China to halve tariffs on Scotch whisky following Xi-Starmer talks

Following a high-level meeting between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping, China has agreed to slash its import duties on Scotch whisky from 10% to 5%.

The UK press secretary noted that this move could be worth up to £250 million to the industry. It is a major win for the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), which has long lobbied for better access to the Chinese market.
You can read the report via Reuters (no author mentioned):

China agrees to halve tariffs on UK whisky after Xi-Starmer talks

Read the official SWA statement here:

SWA comments on deal to halve whisky tariffs in China

SWA launches 2026 manifesto: “Whisky makes Scotland”

Let’s stay in Scotland for a while, where the SWA has released its updated Scotch whisky Manifesto, featuring new production data by region. While visitor figures currently reflect 2024 data, the document remains a vital look at the industry’s economic footprint.
You can find it here:

2026 Manifesto | Whisky isn’t just made in Scotland: It Makes Scotland

New distillery proposed for former oil depot in Ardrishaig

A planning application submitted by Organic Architects could see a former oil depot on the Ardrishaig pier in Argyll transformed into a new distillery. The project includes tasting rooms and a visitor centre on a site that was once home to the Glenfyne Distillery, closed in 1937.
Article by Alasdair Ferguson in The National:

Plans to turn old oil depot on loch shores into whisky distillery revealed

International trade

EU and India conclude landmark free trade agreement

On 27 January, the EU and India signed a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Under the deal, India is expected to reduce or eliminate import duties on over 96.6% of EU goods. In return, the EU will reduce tariffs on 99.5% of Indian exports over the next seven years.

The FTA has been welcomed as a start for a broader bi-lateral collaboration between the countries and SpiritsEurope has hailed the agreement as a “true game changer” for the sector, particularly given the long-standing high tariffs on European spirits in the Indian market.
You can read the official communication by the EU here:

EU and India conclude landmark Free Trade Agreement

SpiritsEurope’s official press release here:

SpiritsEUROPE hails the EU-India FTA as a true game changer for the eu spirits sector

And here you have the statement from the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA):

Irish Whiskey Association welcomes announcement of EU-India free trade agreement

Mexico

Agave producers abandon fields in Guanajuato amid profitability crisis

The Secretary of Agriculture, Marisol Suárez Correa, has raised the alarm in Guanajuato, where many farmers are abandoning agave cultivation due to a lack of profitability. The Ministry is currently studying agricultural alternatives to help stabilise the sector as the “agave crisis” continues to impact local growers.
News by Alfonsina Ávila in NW Noticias Guanajuato:

Crisis del agave en Guanajuato: productores dejan tierras por falta de rentabilidad

Italy

Diageo renews distribution deal with Rinaldi 1857 for Don Papa rum

The multinational giant Diageo has confirmed it will continue its partnership with Rinaldi 1957 for the distribution of Don Papa rum in Italy. The announcement puts an end to recent rumours suggesting a shift in Diageo’s Italian strategy for the brand.
News in Food Service (no author mentioned):

Diageo conferma Rinaldi 1957 come distributore di Don Papa

Australia

Starward founder buys back business as Diageo steps out

Starward Whisky founder David Vitale has successfully bought back full ownership of his business. The move follows Diageo’s decision to exit its investment in the company after 11 years as part of a wider scale-back of its accelerator programmes.
News by Cody Profaca in Drinks Trade:

Starward back in ownership of founder David Vitale as Diageo halts accelerator program

Australia spirits tax climbs to $108 per litre

The spirits tax in Australia has risen by $2.01, bringing the total to $107.99 per litre of alcohol.

The industry body Spirits & Cocktails Australia has criticised the move, warning that the increase further widens the tax gap between different liquor categories.
Full details in Cody Profaca’s article for Drinks Trade:

Australia’s spirits tax rises to $108 per litre of alcohol

That’s all for today. I hope this round-up helps you navigate the busy week ahead!

Don’t forget to leave your comments or send me messages on topics you find interesting.

Leave a comment

The Spirits Post is an international press review about the spirits industry brought to you by , an Italian spirits journalist and judge. If this newsletter was forwarded to you by a friend, you can subscribe here to receive it directly in your inbox:

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Hello everyone!

Here is a quick round-up of the key headlines from the past week and today. I’ve also included a slightly different recommendation at the end which I hope you find useful.

Let’s dive in.

Ireland

US investor rescues Powerscourt Distillery from receivership

In a welcome piece of news, the US investment firm Altiva Management is set to acquire the majority of Powerscourt Distillery’s assets. The move is expected to save the business and secure existing jobs at the Wicklow-based site. The deal includes the award-winning Fercullen Irish Whiskey brand and the distillery’s state-of-the-art visitor centre.
News by Nicola Carruthers in The Spirits Business:

Investor rescues Powerscourt Distillery from receivership

India

Radico Khaitan eyes Scottish distillery acquisition

The Indian spirits giant Radico Khaitan is planning to establish a dedicated division in Scotland. As part of this significant investment, the company—well known for its Rampur Indian single malt—is looking to purchase an existing, operational Scotch whisky distillery.
News by Jessica Broadbent in Global Drinks Intel:

Radico Khaitan seeks to buy scotch whisky distillery

Global markets

Major spirits firms facing a $22 billion ‘lake’ of unsold stock

According to a report in the Financial Times, five of the world’s largest drinks multinationals—Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Campari, Brown-Forman, and Rémy Cointreau—are currently holding US$22 billion worth of unsold aged spirits. This “spirits glut” is reportedly the result of overproduction following an overestimation of post-pandemic demand.

These figures are usually calculated by analysts who sum up the “inventory” or “maturing stock” values found on the public balance sheets of these five giants. Since whiskey and cognac must age for years, companies keep billions of dollars in “work in progress” on their books. The “glut” occurs when that value grows much faster than actual sales, suggesting they are overproducing for a market that is currently cooling down.
You can find the Financial Times’s report here:

Drinks makers left with lake of unsold spirits as demand drops

Alternatively, you can read the summary in Drinks Digest:

Drinks industry battles unsold spirits glut

Diageo to close Clynelish visitor centre

Surprisingly, Diageo has announced plans to close the Clynelish visitor centre in the Highlands. This comes despite visitor numbers have more than doubled recently, and following a major multi-million-pound relaunch only four years ago. While the visitor hub is set to close, Diageo confirmed that whisky production at the site will continue as normal.
You can read the news by Brian Donnelly in the Scottish publication The Herald:

Whisky giant to axe Scottish distillery visitor centre

Mexico

Tequila exports moderately increased in 2025

The Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT) has reported that tequila exports grew by 1,2% in 2025, reaching 407,98 million litres, compared to 402,7 in 2024. Notably, “100% agave tequila” remains the dominant category, accounting for 278.62 million litres of that total—a slight increase on the previous year’s figures-while simple “tequila” exports totaled 129.37 million liters.
The news probably comes from a press relase, and you can read more at AM Mexico:

Crecimiento del tequila 100% de agave

France

Cognac sales slump to 20-year low

Cognac export fell to 141 million bottles in 2025, the lowest level recorded since 2009. According to figures from the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (Bnic), which were revealed by the French publication Sud Ouest, the total value of sales has dropped to €2,2 billion, from the 2021 peak of €3,6 billion (220 million bottles).
Article by Olivia Détroyat in Le Figaro:

Les ventes de cognac au plus bas depuis près de vingt ans

Cognac Growers approve yield cap and €10,000 grubbing-up incentive

To combat the downturn, the UGVC board has approved a reduced yield cap for the 2026 harvest. Furthermore, a “grubbing-up” scheme (the permanent removal of vineyards) will offer growers €10,000 per hectare to help restore market equilibrium. This plan is currently being financed by the viticulture sector itself while awaiting potential government or EU support.
You can read the announcement by UGVC here:

Communication: l’UGVC vote un rendement à 7,65 et un plan d’arrachage

Martinique rum sales decline in the French market

The volume of rum sold from Martinique fell by 5.6% in France last year. Producers are now looking toward increased tourism and the potential benefits of an EU-Mercosur trade deal to offset the domestic decline.
Article by Irène Emonides and Megan Bourdon-Cohen in France Info Martinique:

Les ventes de rhum martiniquais chutent dans l’Hexagone

Something to read

How consumers spend their time and money

Understanding shifting consumer habits is more critical than ever, especially given the current market situation. I recommend this recent podcast from McKinsey & Company, which explores current spending trends and how people are prioritising their budgets in 2026.

How today’s consumers are spending their time and money

That’s all for today. I’m aiming to send out a second newsletter later this week, so fingers crossed!

Thank you for reading, and see you soon.

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Hello everyone!

I wasn’t able to publish more than one update last week, which means you have a bumper edition to get through today. Our round-up covers everything from international trade deals to regional product news and several key distillery updates.

Spoiler for my Italian readers: scroll down for some important news regarding new distribution agreements in your market.

Brazil

Cachaça, coffee, and wine gain protection under Mercosur-EU agreement

The free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, finalised this Saturday, will significantly bolster the protection of Brazilian Geographical Indications (GIs) within the EU, with cachaça being a primary beneficiary.

Under the terms of the deal, several names currently used in Brazil—such as fontina, grana, and gruyère—will have to be phased out or changed to respect the EU’s established GI protections.
News by Times Brazil (no author mentioned):

Cachaça, cafés e vinhos vão ser protegidos contra imitação após acordo Mercosul-UE; veja lista

Rum

French government withdraws proposed surtax on overseas rums

Following an intense lobbying effort led by Guadeloupean Senator Victorin Lurel, the French government has withdrawn an amendment that sought to extend a rum surtax across all overseas territories.
News by Yasmina Yacou in La 1ere France Info:

Surtaxation du rhum : le Gouvernement fait marche arrière

Additives

French national press writes about spirits additives

Le Figaro has published a feature exploring the use of sugar and other additives in the spirits industry. While the tone is more explanatory than accusatory, it brings a traditionally industry subject into the public eye.
You can read the articles by Fabien Humbert in Le Figaro here:

«L’édulcoration est très fréquente» : le tabou du sucre ajouté dans les spiritueux

Hawaiian rum maker calls for transparency in additive-free open letter

Steve Jefferson, founder and CEO of the Hawaii-based Kuleana Rum Works, has published an “Open Letter on Additive-Free Rum.” In it, he calls for greater honesty regarding production methods as consumers increasingly scrutinise the contents of their glasses.
News by Businesswire here:

As Additive-Free Spirits Surge, Rum Becomes the Next Category Under the Microscope

The full text of the letter is available on Kuleana Rum Works official website:

An Open Letter on Additive-Free Rum

Mexico

818 Tequila faces class action lawsuit over 100% agave claims

The trend of “100% agave” lawsuits continues, and this time 818 Tequila is in the spotlight. The company is challenging a class action lawsuit filed against its US parent company, which claims independent laboratory testing contradicts the 100% agave label.

As many of you will recall, we have been tracking this theme for months, notably with the Diageo lawsuits. These claims are becoming increasingly frequent as consumer preference shifts decisively toward pure agave spirits.
Nicola Carruthers is reporting the news in The Spirits Business:

818 Tequila challenges ‘100% agave’ lawsuit

As many of you remember, we have been covering this topic for months, starting with Diageo lawsuits (here is a recap).

These claims look more and more frequent, as consumer preferences appear to be shifting towards agave-only spirits.

Mexican whisky market projected to reach us$1.47 billion by 2034

A study by the IMARC Group suggests the Mexican market for whisky could grow at a compound annual rate (CAGR) of 5.52% between 2026 and 2034. This would see the market rise from 2025’s US$905.2 million to US$1.47 billion.

While these statistics are compelling, I always recommend viewing them as projections rather than certainties—economists, after all, haven’t found a crystal ball just yet.

You can find more details in Miona Madsen’s article in The Spirits Business:

Mexico’s whisky market could grow 62% by 2034

For those of you who are interested, IMARC Group is a market research agency. You can find the original document online, and the complete version is for sale:

Mexico Whiskey Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecast by Product Type, Quality, Distribution Channel, and Region, 2026-2034

Italy

Flor de Caña appoints Fratelli Branca as new distributor in Italy

Milan-based Fratelli Branca Distillerie has been named the new Italian distributor for Flor de Caña, following a new agreement signed with the Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua.
News by Henry Mathieu in Global Drinks Intel:

Flor de Caña appoints Fratelli Branca as Italian distributor

UK

Scottish distillery tests aluminium bottles for whisky

The Lowland-based Stirling Distillery is testing aluminium bottles for its small-batch whiskies. The initiative aims to improve sustainability and significantly reduce carbon emissions associated with glass production and transport.
News by Severin Carrell in The Guardian:

Green whisky? Scottish distillery tests eco-friendly aluminium bottles

Ireland

Teeling Whiskey profits dive 90% in difficult 2025

Teeling Whiskey, the Bacardi-owned Irish firm, saw pretax profits plummet by 90% in 2025. Turnover fell by 14% to €23.7 million, with whiskey sales specifically dropping 15%. It marks a particularly challenging year for one of the industry’s modern pioneers.
You can read more details in Hugh Dooley’s article in The Irish Times:

Slump in profit at Bacardi-controlled Teeling Whiskey last year

Fortunes remain bright for West Cork Distillers

In contrast, West Cork Distillers reported a robust 2024, with sales exceeding €77.3m and profits reaching €3.4m. The Skibbereen-based group expects further expansion in 2026. Interestingly, they appear less affected by US tariffs as their branded whiskeys do not focus heavily on the American market.

A note on the data: I noticed the original interview in The Independent cites 2024 figures. It seems my colleagues there didn’t ask what happened in 2025 — a curious omission given the current climate.
You can find the article by Sean Pollock in The Independent (subscription required):

West Cork Distillers toasts €3.4m profit despite whiskey industry challenges

...or you can read it in Drinks Industry Ireland (free access):

€3.4m profit for West Cork Distillers with plans for more growth in 2026

USA

Paul Hletko announces departure from FEW Spirits

Paul Hletko, the founder of Heaven Hill-owned FEW Spirits, has left the company after more than a decade. Hletko shared the news on LinkedIn, expressing pride in the brand’s journey from a “wild idea” to an internationally recognised name.
You can read it here:

Paul Hletko on LinkedIn

Investor group makes bid to rescue Uncle Nearest from debt

An investment group known as NexGen2780 has offered to buy out the assets and settle the $108 million debt that the whiskey brand Uncle Nearest owes to Kentucky lender Farm Credit. A letter of intent has been filed in federal court by the group’s representative, Walter Miles, as part of the brand’s ongoing receivership proceedings.
News by Janet Patton in the Lexington Herald Leader:

Investor group offers to buy out troubled whiskey’s $108m Kentucky loan

A.M. Scott Distillery files for bankruptcy

Ohio-based A.M. Scott Distillery has filed for bankruptcy, owing a debt of US$3.35 million. The distillery had been founded in 2022 to produce whiskey, rum, vodka and gin.
You can read more details in Nicola Carruthers’s article for The Spirits Business :

Ohio distillery goes bankrupt owing $3.35m

Constellation Brands’ wine and spirits revenue takes a hit after divestments

Constellation Brands saw wine and spirits sales drop by 51% to US$213.1 million in the final quarter of 2025. However, this steep decline is primarily due to the offloading of major brands, including Svedka Vodka and Copper & Kings.
News by Lauren Bowes in The Spirits Business :

Constellation wine and spirits sales slashed by half

China

Diageo may be selling its baijiu business

According to Bloomberg, Diageo is considering selling its 63% stake in Shuijingfang, its premium baijiu producer. The multinational has not yet commented on the speculation.

You can find Ruth David, Dong Cao, Baijiu Kalesh and Vinicy Chan’s article in Bloomberg here (subscription required):

Diageo Said to Weigh Options for China Assets Including Sale

…or you can read it in The Spirits Business by Rupert Hohwieler

Is Diageo trying to sell its baijiu business?

Something to read

Traveling to the “Brooklyn of Dublin”

The Liberties, a historic Dublin neighbourhood dating back to the 12th century, is experiencing a renaissance earning it the “Brooklyn of Dublin” moniker. The area includes contemporary whiskey distilleries, artist studios, Michelin-recognized restaurants, cultural hubs, and historic attractions like St. Patrick’s Cathedral and The Brazen Head pub (Ireland’s oldest from 1198).
You can read Jillian Dara’s article in the National Geographic here:

Why this neighborhood is called the ‘Brooklyn of Dublin’

I hope you enjoyed this extended round-up.

Thank you for reading The Spirits Post!

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Hello everyone!

Here is a round up of the most significant news from last week. Today, I’ve focused more on regional developments and territorial shifts, rather than individual brands, which I’ll be covering in more detail in my next press review.

US Department of Health removes daily alcohol limits in major guidelines reset

In a surprising move, the US Department of Health has removed specific quantitative limits for alcohol in its new “Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030”. The document, released on 7 January, moves away from the traditional “one or two drinks a day” advice, instead offering a broader recommendation for Americans to simply “consume less alcohol for better overall health.”
Article by Lauren Bowes in The Spirits Business:

US health department drops daily alcohol limits

Irish whiskey exports slide by 5% as global trade hurdles mount

According to a recent press release from Bord Bia, Irish drinks exports rose by 2% to €2 billion in 2025. This growth was largely driven by beer (+7%, €350 million) and cream liqueurs (+10%, €430 million). However, complex international trade conditions have taken their toll on Irish whiskey, with exports dropping 5% to €930 million. Despite the dip, the category still accounts for a significant 45% of the total value of Irish drinks exports.
You can find further details in the Bord Bia press release here:

Irish food, drink and horticulture exports reach a record €19 billion

Scotland’s whisky tourism is booming

According to the tour operator Braw Scottish Tours, whisky tourism in Scotland is currently seeing an “unprecedented surge.”
While specific figures are not cited in Jessica Mason’s article for The Drinks Business, the insights from travel expert John Matuszczyk suggest a strong upward trend for the sector.
You can read it and build up your own opinion here:

Scotland’s whisky tourism soars

EU distilleries call for renegotiation of ‘rye whisky’ trade barriers

A group of producers from across Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltic states has signed a joint letter urging their governments to amend the EU-Canada trade agreement. Currently, the agreement prohibits European distillers from using the term “rye whisky” on their labels—a name reserved exclusively for Canadian products under a 20-year-old clause that came into full effect last April.
News by Rupert Hohwieler in The Spirits Business:

EU distilleries push for rye whisky resolution

Mexico

Jalisco expects record tourism ahead of 2026 World Cup

Jalisco is bracing for a landmark year in 2026, with the World Cup, the International Tourism Fair, and over 100 other international events expected to draw considerable crowds. The Secretary of Tourism, Michelle Fridman, has projected a 10% increase in visitor numbers for the state this year.
News by Fátima Briceño y Josefina Ruiz in Milenio:

Proyectan 10% más visitantes para este año en Jalisco

Mezcal producers launch native agave reforestation project in Tehuacán

A group of mezcal producers has announced an ambitious reforestation plan within the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve (RBTC). The project aims to increase the population of native agaves to secure raw materials for future production without disrupting the local ecosystem. The initiative will begin with 50,000 plants of native species, including pichomel, papalomel, cargüinsqui, cachitul, jabalí, cachetón, and oterroy.
More details in Elizabeth Rodríguez Lezama in La Jornada de Oriente:

Mezcal producers announce reforestation with agave in the RBTC, starting with 50,000 plants

Haiti

Clairin named top trending rum brand in 2026 Drinks International Brands Report

The start of the year always brings the industry’s most-anticipated charts, and in the Drinks International 2026 Brands Report, clairin has emerged as the top trending brand in the rum category. It is a significant milestone for a territorial spirit — rather than a commercial firm — to claim the top spot for industry trending brand.

It is particularly heartening to see this success given the immense challenges Haitian producers have been facing so far.
You can find the direct link to the document here:

The Drinks International Brands Report 2026

For those interested, here is an article I wrote for Linkiesta Gastronomika about La Maison & Velier’s new campaign for clairin:

Da Haiti al mondo | È in arrivo una Coalition internazionale dedicata al clairin

Something to read

A study reveals how agave bagasse changes with the seasons

A research team at the Tec de Monterrey has conducted a fascinating study into agave residues within the mezcal industry. The findings reveal how the nutrient and antioxidant levels in agave bagasse fluctuate throughout the seasons — offering valuable insights for potential sustainable reuses of the material.

Article in TecScience by Jimena del Carmen Álvarez-Chávez (Biotechnology Engineer specializing in molecular biology at Tecnológico de Monterrey):

El bagazo de agave también cambia con las estaciones

I hope you enjoyed this corrected round-up.

See you in the next days, and don’t forget to:

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Hello and a very Happy New Year to you all!

The turn of the year is traditionally a time for reflection—a moment to weigh up the highs and lows of the past twelve months and set a strategic roadmap for the next.

As regular readers will know, I prefer a pragmatic approach. This isn’t the place for life philosophy; there is plenty of that elsewhere on Substack and across the web if that’s what you’re looking for. Instead, I’m sticking to what you need most: the facts. I’ll dive straight into the news now, but I have taken a moment at the end of this post to reflect on how this blog—and my work here—might evolve in 2026. If you’re interested in the “behind-the-scenes,” just keep scrolling.

Now, back to the headlines. I’ve rounded up the most significant stories from the final weeks of 2025, from Jim Beam’s production pause to Tequila’s new recognition in the UAE.

Let’s get started.

Jim Beam halts production at flagship distillery

The Suntory Global Spirits-owned Bourbon producer, Jim Beam, has decided to suspend production for this year at its primary facility in Kentucky. The announcement, made before Christmas, marks a significant pause for the brand.
You can read the news by Osmond Chia for the BBC:

Bourbon maker Jim Beam halts production at main distillery for a year

Canada

Alberta seeks official definition for its whisky

The provincial government of Alberta is currently consulting with distillers and industry associations to establish a formal identity for the category. The move is seen as a strategic bid to protect the brand and foster growth within the sector.
Article by Stephen Tipper in The Calgary Herald:

What is Alberta whisky? Province consulting with producers to define it in bid to grow industry

Mexico

Tequila DO is now recognised in the United Arab Emirates

The Consejo Regulador del Tequila A.C. (CRT) has announced that the United Arab Emirates have become the 58th country to recognise Tequila Denomination of Origin (DO). This grants the CRT exclusive rights for certification, analysis, and quality control within the UAE. According to the association, exports of 40% ABV tequila to the country exceeded one million litres in 2024, with 2025 showing similarly strong figures.
Read more details in Alejandra Liera’s article for El Imparcial:

Emiratos Árabes Unidos reconoce la Denominación de Origen Tequila y se convierte en el país número 58 en proteger legalmente la bebida mexicana, un logro que fortalece su resguardo internacional y consolida un mercado clave

Taxes and premiumisation: Mezcal struggles at home despite export success

According to data from the Mezcal Regulatory Council (Comercam), the volume of mezcal sold internationally is now 2.6 times greater than that sold within Mexico. This shift is largely attributed to a combination of progressive premiumisation and an exceptionally high tax burden, which accounts for between 53% and 75% of the final retail price.
Article by El Imparcial Oaxaca (no author mentioned):

El mezcal enfrenta su mayor “resaca”: impuestos, exportación y caída del consumo local

Brazil

Minas Gerais invests in new laboratory to safeguard cachaça quality

The Instituto Mineiro de Agropecuária (IMA) is set to invest nearly R$2 million into a new laboratory facility. Funded by the State Fund for Consumer Protection (FEPDC), the laboratory aims to expedite the analysis of alcoholic beverages, ensuring quality standards while mitigating the risks of fraud and contamination.

Article by Seane Lennon in Agrolink:

(The articles comes from a press release by the IMA, but I’m not able to find it on their website)

Reunion, France

Reunion rum producers hit by 42% tax hike

Authorities in the Reunion Region have voted for a substantial rise in excise duties for rum. The new measure brings the total increase to 42%, which translates to an additional cost of nearly €8 per litre.
Full details can be found in Zinfos 974, which has been tracking the story:

Hausse de 42 % de la taxe régionale : “Le rhum réunionnais est le plus taxé d’Outre-mer”

No & Low

No-alcohol ‘spirits’ set for double-digit growth

The no-alcohol sector remains a bright spot in the industry. According to the IWSR, alcohol-free alternatives to spirits grew by 13% in volume during 2024. The category is projected to see a further 10% increase in 2025 and 9% in 2026.
You will find some more details about the scenario in Nicola Carruthers’s article for The Spirits Business:

World Spirits Report 2025: Low & no

Something to read (and to make you smile)

Nature’s party animals: Three creatures known to enjoy a tipple

From Caribbean vervet monkeys to fruit flies and cedar waxwings, humans aren’t the only ones who occasionally overindulge in the wild. An entertaining feature in The Indian Express explores these boozy behaviours.

However, eagle-eyed readers will likely notice the rather questionable stock photo the author chose to represent the fruit fly. It’s a classic case of “cringe” picture selection that might make you chuckle for the wrong reasons!
Form your own opinion here:

Not just humans: 3 animals known to get drunk in the wild

That’s all for today.

Why the Spirits Post exists

A look back at our first eight months

I launched The Spirits Post last April because I felt there was a gap in the market for specific, actionable news for the spirits industry—particularly at a time when the sector was already navigating a volatile international landscape and shifting consumer habits.

For two years prior, I had been curating these insights as the managing editor for a specialist spirits publication in Italy. Unfortunately, I was forced to stop that work due to a series of significant unpaid invoices (a financial struggle I’m still navigating today). However, because I believe that in turbulent times the only way for professionals to stay afloat is to stay informed, I decided to turn my personal daily press review into this public blog.

The response has proven that this something the industry needed. In just eight months, our community has grown from zero to nearly one hundred subscribers across several countries—entirely through word of mouth, without any social media promotion.

Searching for significant news, summarising it in English (which, as you know, is not my mother tongue), and publishing several times a week is an immense amount of work. Seeing this community grow and hearing your insights in my inbox is my biggest reward. Thank you for following.

If you have colleagues or friends who would find these updates valuable, please do invite them to join us by forwarding or sharing the publication:

Share The Spirits Post

What to expect from The Spirits Post in 2026

My own career is evolving, and I’ll be taking on more significant roles in consumer-oriented publications soon (I look forward to sharing more on that in the coming months). This means The Spirits Post will remain my primary channel for industry-focused news.

As my schedule allows, I hope to introduce more original articles, exclusive interviews, and bespoke content. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this—please do share your feedback in the comments.

Leave a comment

I’m not interested in “big numbers” for the sake of it; I care about the quality of this community. You are proving that quality matters.

I wish you all a fantastic and prosperous 2026!

Eugenia