Can Toronto seriously become the North American city break of choice? October 14, 2016 As the cab from the airport inched forward in nose to tail traffic towards the distinctive skyline in the distance, I already knew I was going to be charmed by Toronto. While beaches and mountains are all very well, I’m a city girl at heart and the lure of late night shopping, museums and a [...]
Constellation Brands lifts full-year guidance after “winning” the 4 July holiday and profit boost from acquisitions October 5, 2016 Shares in the US owner of Corona Extra, Constellation Brands, were up in morning trading New York time after the beer and spirits maker posted better-than-expected second quarter revenues. The figures Net sales grew 17 per cent to $2.02bn (£1.6bn) in the second quarter, while operating income rose 27 per cent to $611m. Constellation's beer brands, [...]
Cradle baby alligators and zoom along the Everglades in a weird boat – it’s Florida baby! September 23, 2016 F lorida has a fearsome reputation for hurricanes, alligators and hanging chads, but in this vast sea of crazy, there is an island of tranquility. Its name is Fort Lauderdale. Long established as a place to go for fun in the sun, with a long sandy beach, the wild beauty of the Everglades, and easy [...]
Heading to Dublin? Here’s how to get the most out of your trip September 2, 2016 As an Irishman living in London, it’s vitally important to maintain links with the motherland by annually submerging myself in the grand culture of my people, before returning to London fresh and thrumming with renewed Celtic energy. Today, I will share with you my meticulously curated itinerary. How to get there: Fly Aer Lingus, of course. [...]
Eight of the best bottles of bourbon, from Hudson’s whiskey to Old Forester July 7, 2016 Bourbon is the American spirit. This is the sort of line that might be used in an advert, but it’s true – bourbon is only bourbon if it’s brewed in the USA. And for some purists, only Kentucky will do. The most well known American whiskey is Jack Daniels, which uses the same method of [...]
Our resident chef Mark Hix on Britain’s recent drinks upheaval and why should all be cheering on our distillers July 5, 2016 I love the way the British drinks revolution is going. Well, maybe I’m exaggerating when I call it a revolution, but there’s certainly been a huge increase in the production of distilled drinks, especially gin. A new gin is landing on my desk almost weekly, which is great news for bars, mixologists and, of course, [...]
The best vodka: 8 bottles that prove Russia’s finest is a class act June 6, 2016 Vodka is the simplest of all spirits – its name is taken from the Slavic for “little water” – but as connoisseurs of Danish furniture can attest, getting more from less is an art of its own. It may not require months or years of ageing, but it’s a singularly unforgiving spirit, with no juniper [...]
Global alcoholic drinks consumption drops for the first time in a decade, according to Euromonitor International May 12, 2016 Global sales volumes of alcoholic drinks declined a sobering 0.7 per cent in 2015, entering negative territory for the first time in more than a decade. This fall translated into a loss of 1.7bn litres of alcoholic drinks sales since 2014, according to research from Euromonitor International. Worldwide volumes were derailed by the effects of [...]
The London Coffee Festival is the perfect opportunity to try out some new and boozy coffee cocktails April 7, 2016 From Thursday to Sunday, Brick Lane's Old Truman Brewery will host The London Coffee Festival. This city is awash with coffee fiends, so it's sure to be a popular event. And why not? Coffee may well protect you against loads of diseases, plus we all know caffeine makes you more alert and sociable. It's the [...]
Halewood International acquires neat 50 per cent stake in Pogues Whiskey March 17, 2016 Halewood International has acquired a 50 per cent stake in The Pogues Irish Whiskey. The Halewood Group, the UK's leading independent drinks manufacturer and distributor, struck the deal with the Irish band, The Pogues in February. The members of the band, Shane MacGowan, Jem Finer, Andrew Ranken, Spider Stavy, James Fearnley, Terry Woods and Darryl Hunt, will retain [...]