We start today with a look at the impact of US tariffs on Irish whiskey imports. A French court has forced Sazerac to honour cancelled Cognac purchase contracts with 45 Charente growers, while Europe seems to have an alcohol paradox: Brussels keeps funding the wine sector while WHO Europe pushes to curb alcohol consumption.
Meanwhile, UK whisky and gin exports both grew in the first half of 2026.
In Mexico, Morelia is pushing to certify its mezcal producers, and Campari Group is giving Wild Turkey a travel retail push in Sydney.
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 Commercial Spirits Intelligence (subscription required):
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:
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):
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:
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:
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:
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:
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?
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, 🍹