The founder of Donegal’s Ardara Distillery has said the latest heavily-peated Irish whiskey release is part of a strong regional identity that could help grow the Irish whiskey category. The 2026 Edition of Ardara Single Malt Irish Whiskey, which is peated to 55ppm, was launched last month. Founder James Doherty said the release gives the brand a “highly distinctive proposition, very regional…

Diageo has launched three 20% abv products, marking its entry into the mid-strength category. The launches, under the Gordon’s, Smirnoff and Captain Morgan brands, are intended to “provide consumers more choice within Diageo’s portfolio for different occasions”.  The company cited health, wellness, affordability and more casual get-togethers as key drivers behind the launch. The 20% abv range will roll out in…

Cask Trade Bottling, the whisky cask marketplace and management company, has launched a personalised bottling service ahead of the festive season. The ‘ready to bottle’ bespoke service allows clients to commission their own label on a bottle of Speyside 2015, in time for the gifting season in December. According to the company, there are two primary ways that customers can personalise…

The UK wine merchant Flint Wines has announced the launch of its inaugural own-label English sparkling rosé: Cedd. Flint said that the grapes come from Essex’s Crouch and Blackwater river valleys. It continued that the liquid, created with 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, is then produced by Danbury Ridge Wine Estate, also based in the Crouch Valley. The merchant said…

Retailer Master of Malt has collaborated with design studio Studio Minerva to launch a super-premium whisky brand: The Islay. Described as a love letter to the Scottish island, the brand is built around a continuous single-cask model. A first for Studio Minerva, which normally focuses on design, the introduction of The Islay marks the first time the company has built…

Languedoc wine producers are stepping up measures to tackle smoke taint from wildfires, as increasingly frequent heatwaves and prolonged droughts intensify fire risk. With temperatures exceeding 40°C and soil surface temperatures reaching as high as 60°C in some parcels, producers across Languedoc’s appellations are adapting vineyard and cellar practices to protect grape quality and manage increasingly challenging ripening conditions. A key response…

The end of the school holidays marks a return to tasting for many in the trade. From Glasgow to Bristol, this month offers a bumper crop. Moldova UncorkedSeptember 12Delapré Abbey, Northampton11am-2pm (trade session)Discover the world of Moldovan wine through a curated selection from 10 Moldovan wineries and over 60 wines available to sample. Winemakers will be on hand to discuss the wines.