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"The future isn't to get concerned about monolithic brands like Bacardi and Smirnoff, but to encourage and focus on the innovators" - Interview - Amber Beverage Group CEO Seymour Ferreira 30 Oct 2018

Andy Morton

Amber Beverage Group is a good example of a mid-tier alcohol company. Part of the SPI Group, the company employs around 2,000 across its production sites in the Baltics, Russia, Mexico and the UK. It also distributes global brands including its own Riga Black Balsam and Moskovskaya vodkas across the world. According to CEO Seymour Ferreira, Amber prides itself on having global reach while remaining small enough to be as agile as a start-up. Earlier this month, just-drinks sat down with Ferreira to talk about how to compete with the giants of the industry, the difficulties of finding good distributors and why cannabis and low-alcohol offer attractive growth for the future.

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Free Craigellachie 51 YO, Bacardi's single malts strategy and a tough stance on age statements - Interview - Bacardi's global brand director for malts, Ian Taylor 26 Oct 2018

Lucy Britner

Today, Bacardi has released a 51-year-old single malt Scotch from its Craigellachie distillery in Speyside, Scotland - the company's oldest single malt release so far. In a rare move, Bacardi has chosen to give away the expression free of charge. In an exclusive interview with just-drinks, the company's global brand director for malts, Ian Taylor, outlines the strategy behind the decision and sheds some light on Bacardi's play in single malts.

Diageo to plough US$130m into new Kentucky production site 14 Dec 18

Andy Morton

Diageo is to invest US$130m in a new Kentucky distillery to increase production capacity for its Bourbon and American whiskey brands.

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Alain Maingreaud replaces Erik Juul-Mortensen as TFWA president 14 Dec 18

Andy Morton

The Tax Free World Association, the trade body for Global Travel Retail, has elected Alain Maingreaud as its next president, replacing long-term incumbent and TFWA co-founder Erik Juul-Mortensen.

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If you read only one thing... - This week's must-reads on just-drinks 14 Dec 18

Olly Wehring

Here's a look at the biggest stories and the best content from just-drinks this week.

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Chambord gets biggest UK push with gin, Prosecco leg-up 14 Dec 18

Olly Wehring

Brown-Forman has leveraged its partnership with Bacardi in the UK as part of the biggest Christmas campaign so far for its Chambord liqueur brand.

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LVMH calls for startups in 2019 luxury innovation push 13 Dec 18

Lucy Britner

Hennessy Cognac owner LVMH has launched the third edition of its Innovation Award, as it looks to back luxury-focused startups.

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Halewood Wines & Spirits turns on taps for John Crabbie & Co Edinburgh whisky 13 Dec 18

Andy Morton

Halewood Wines & Spirits has started Edinburgh production at its John Crabbie & Co Scotch whisky distillery ahead of the completion of a new GBP7m (US$10m) home for the brand next year.

Starbucks jumps on gin bandwagon 14 Mar 18

Lucy Britner

Starbucks has become the latest company to tap into the gin craze, with the launch of Starbucks Reserve Gin Barrel-Aged Cold Brew.

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Feeling Blue on Monday? Help is at hand 15 Jan 18

Olly Wehring

It may not be scientific, but the third Monday in January has been coined 'Blue Monday' - the most depressing day of the year. Dreamed up in the UK by a psychologist commissioned by a holiday company 14 years ago, there's method in the madness: Lousy weather, post-Christmas blues, last pay-day feels ages ago, next pay-day barely on the horizon...