Northumberland’s bold producers reinventing English whisky and gin Whisky To celebrate the introduction of geographical indications for English Whisky, Rupert Hargreaves takes a look at two innovative producers shaking up England’s spirits market. When you think of Northumberland, images of rugged landscapes, heather-covered hills, fir trees and ancient ruins spring to mind. Nestled between Scotland and England, the region is steeped in history, from [...]
Scotch Whisky’s slightly sore head Whisky In a recent in-depth analysis of the Scotch whisky industry, the FT painted a grim picture of suppressed demand and an ever-rising tide of maturing spirit. Will distilleries and jobs be swept away in another great whisky loch? Tom Bruce-Gardyne believes such talk is way too pessimistic The week-end before last, the FT went big [...]
Laphroaig turns to cocktails to drive growth Whisky The Scotch whisky industry faces well-documented challenges. Changing consumer habits and increased competition mean even the most storied brands must adopt new strategies to keep up. Laphroaig is one of the most established brands in the Scotch industry, and there’s not a single bar in the country that doesn’t have a bottle firmly established on [...]
Pernod Ricard’s results highlight the challenges for Scotch September 10, 2026 In this month’s issue of Whisky Business, Ian Fraser takes a look at the results of the drinks giant Pernod Ricard and how the company is dealing with the headwinds hitting the sector. Scotch whisky makes up roughly a quarter (23 per cent) of Pernod Ricard’s global sales, but barely got a look-in at the Paris-based [...]
The Highland tourist tax: Is Scotland pricing out whisky tourists? August 25, 2026 The latest available data from the Scottish Tourism Economic Activity Monitor in Scotland (STEAM) shows that between 2012 and 2024, visitor numbers to the Highlands increased 82 per cent to 9.4m. Spending increased by a similar amount, to £2.1bn. A large share of that is directly linked to the Scotch whisky sector. You’d think, therefore, [...]
Fielden: Crafting a modern whisky brand August 13, 2026 This month’s issue of Whisky Business, City AM’s monthly look at the world of whisky, takes a look at a new English whisky brand, Fielden Spend five minutes online looking for confirming evidence, and you’ll find plenty of commentary arguing that consumers the world over are drinking and spending less on alcohol. However, the underlying, real-world data [...]
Two centuries of Old Pulteney July 9, 2026 This month’s issue of Whisky Business, City AM’s monthly look at the world of whisky, examines the history of Old Pulteney If there’s one Whisky that encapsulates the rugged beauty of Scotland’s Highlands and its coastal areas more than anything else, it’s Old Pulteney. Founded by James Henderson, a serial whisky entrepreneur, in 1826 to supply fishermen [...]
The World of Fine Spirits launches with a focus on ultra-premium coverage June 30, 2026 Whisky Business: City AM’s monthly look at the world of whisky. Here, Alex Martin, editor of the new publication, The World of Fine Spirits, takes a look at what it takes to succeed in a tough industry. It’s hard to know which industry is more under threat: spirits or journalism. The former is facing a generational shift in [...]
How The Macallan mastered the long game June 11, 2026 This month’s issue of Whisky Business, City AM’s monthly look at the world of whisky, takes a look at The Macallan and its unique ownership structure. The Macallan is one of the most iconic Scotch whisky brands, having carved out a niche for itself at the luxury end of the market. Bottles have consistently broken records at [...]
The Lakes Distillery launches a new limited-release single malt May 28, 2026 The Lakes Distillery has earned a reputation for award-winning, exceptional English whiskies, taking home four gold medals for its Galáxia, Isadora, and Decadence expressions, as well as The One Fine Blended Whisky in 2024. In 2025, the distillery built on this record with the launch of its first permanent style of sherry-led whisky, Signature. It [...]