Amathus Drinks has become the UK distributor for Britain’s first sake brewery. Kanpai was founded by Tom and Lucy Wilson in 2016 and the company now has a taproom in Peckham, south east London. The producer has a core range of three sakes: a Junmai Sumi, a Nigori/ cloudy Kumo and a special hopped sparkling sake called Fizu. The latter is designed to appeal to…

Drinks industry pioneer and Baileys Irish Cream co-creator Tom Jago has died at the age of 93 after a short stay in hospital. Jago founded The Last Drop Distillers with James Espey in 2008 and he was previously head of innovations at International Distillers & Vintners. During that time his team created world famous brands including Baileys, Le Piat D’Or, The Classic Malts and Johnnie Walker…

Jubel, a UK-brewed, premium craft beer inspired by an Alpine beer tradition, is gearing up for listings with premium retailers and London bars. The beer – which comes in two flavours – has been inspired by the tradition of Demi Peche in the Alps. Founders Jesse Wilson and Tom Jordan said they wanted to create a beer style “that no other brands could offer”. Jubel…

Hawkes has revealed its latest collaboration with ‘cider legend’ Tom Oliver. The limited edition All Made Equal, described as a product created when the worlds of urban and country cider collide, is a “truly unique blend of styles”. The cider, which takes influences from the West Country and it is crafted in Hawkes’ London cidery, balances the heavy tannins of Oliver’s traditional apple varieties with…

A new super-premium organic vodka from Finland has hit UK shores. Tom of Finland Organic Vodka is inspired by pioneering Finnish artist Touko Laaksonen whose work made an important contribution to 21st century gay culture. The vodka, which is made from organically grown wheat, rye and pure arctic water; is 100% organic and has no added sugar. A percentage of each bottle will be donated…

Robinsons has revealed a new look for its Old Tom range as well as a new variant, which is set to join the iconic beer line up. The Stockport-based brewer, one of only 32 independent family-run breweries in the UK, has introduced a new look for its Old Tom trio of Original, Chocolate and Ginger. The label was specially designed by independent illustrator Paul Robbins.

Drinks trade charity The Benevolent has appointed industry veteran Tom Yusef as chairman following the completion of Dan Townsend’s successful two-year tenure.  Yesef has spent more than 40 years in the freight forwarding sector, first with Ferry Freighting Group then as Chairman and Joint MD of JF Hillebrand. He has pledged to use his extensive contacts to continue the good work done by Townsend and…