September 15, 2025: Canadian whisky profits from US trade policies and other news
Whisky in B.C., US and UK negotiating new deal, DIAGEO's plans for new distillery on Skye, Stock Spirits moves from Germany to Czech Republic, Fever Tree H1 2025, Puerto Rico's rum and more...
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:
Hello everyone!
I’m sending out a late press review today, but we have some interesting news to go through.
Let’s begin.
US policies are good for Canadian whisky in B.C.
Although consumers in British Columbia - like in many countries recently - are buying less alcohol overall, the ban on American products appears to have benefited local whiskies and wines. According to data from the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB), wholesale sales for B.C. wines and Canadian whisky grew in the three months ended June 30, even though both categories are seeing a general decline.
You can read more details in Glen Korstrom’s article for Business Intelligence for B.C.:
US and UK negotiating trade deal that includes whisky
It appears the US and UK are negotiating a deal that includes whisky, as swell as nuclear reactors and artificial intelligence data centres, ahead of President Trump’s visit to London.
This article from the Financial Times contains more details (though not many on whisky itself, I imagine you may still find it interesting).
Anna Gross, Sylvia Pfeifer, Peter Foster and Rachel Millard in London and George Hammond and Michael Acton in San Francisco for the Financial Times:
US and UK near tech, nuclear and whisky deals ahead of Donald Trump’s trip
The thing is, it appears trade talks were already under way before Scottish First Minister John Swinney met with Trump.
Simon Johnson for The Telegraph reports here:
New Scottish Secretary attacks ‘nonsense’ SNP claim it put whisky deal on Trump’s ‘radar’
Skye residents are opposing to DIAGEO plans for a bigger Talisker distillery on the island
Diageo's plan to build a new and larger distillery for Talisker in Carbost on the Isle of Skye has met with objections from local villagers. They claim the building would be the biggest on the island and would not bring any new jobs to the local community.
Vicky Allan is writing about this topic on The Herald:
…and the news also appeared on The Scotsman, by Katharine Hay:
Community rattled by fresh plans for one of 'the biggest buildings on Skye'
…meanwhile
Diageo plans to cut 60 jobs in Northern Ireland
The global firm is planning to outsource some of its roles in Northern Ireland to India, which would result in a workforce reduction. “This is really not about job cuts or elimination of roles. Yes, there will be some, but that’s not what this will be about. This is about really freeing up resources and dollars where we can reinvest for the business," said interim CEO Nik Jhangiani. Not the most reassuring comment, I must say.
Stock Spirits to close production site in Hamburg
Spirits manufacturer Stock Spirits has announced that it will close its Hamburg production site at the beginning of 2027. Facilities will be relocated in Pilsen, Czech Republic.
Article by the German online publication About Drinks (no author mentioned):
Financial performances
Fever-Tree reports stagnant sales in H1 2025
UK-based tonic and mixer producer Fever-Tree has reported flat sales in the first half of 2025, following a full-year sales rise in 2024.
You can read more details in an article by Nicola Carruthers in The Spirits Business:
I haven’t been able to find the official press release from the company, but you can access the live presentation on Fever-Tree FY25 Interim Results here.
Something to read
The Story of Puerto Rico’s oldest rum distillery
Forbes brings us through the story of Ron del Barrilito, PIerto Rico’s oldest rum distillery.
Article by Carley Rojas Ávila in Forbes:
Puerto Rico’s Oldest Rum Distillery, Ron Del Barrilito, Bets On Its History And Wins Big
That’s all for today.
I’ll see you on Wednesday (a little earlier, hopefully)
Goodnight ;)