Close Menu
Top 10

Top 10 most read spirits stories of 2016

Bacon-infused vodka, a rooftop nudist bar and the launch of a certain “bartender collective” – these are the top 10 most read stories on thespiritsbusiness.com that got tongues wagging in 2016.

From the eccentric to the essential, we at The Spirits Business aim to keep our readers up-to-date with the latest spirits industry news.

Broadly speaking, 2016 was certainly a whirlwind of a year – but which stories within the spirits sphere grabbed the most attention?

Environmental campaigns, public booze bans and historical milestones lie in the pages ahead, as well as lighter pieces on curious releases and fashion collaborations.

Click through the following pages to discover the top 10 most read stories on thespiritsbusiness.com in 2016.

10. Few Spirits launches earl grey Breakfast Gin

The gin boom echoed throughout 2016, inspiring a whole host of flavour innovations – including Few Spirits’ earl grey tea offering.

Catching the keen eye of tea lovers across the globe, the gin is said to give an aroma of coriander, lemon balm and rice paper followed by notes of “brewing earl grey”.

 

To read the full story, click here

9. Kratena and Caporale create bar symposium

After departing London stalwart The Langham’s Artesian, Alex Kratena and Simone Caporale aimed to “build a holistic community for the global drinks industry” with “bartender collective”, (P)OUR Symposium.

With plans to convene annually, they went on to host the inaugural meet in Paris in June, inviting professionals from the drinks industry and beyond tackle issues such as sustainability, alcohol dependency and social responsibility.

To read the full story, click here

8. Bacardi removes straws from corporate events

The group struck a chord with the environmentally-savvy crowd when it launched the  ‘No Straw’ movement in March as part of its Good Spirited environmental campaign.

The in-house initiative saw straws and stirrers removed from its North America regional headquarters in Florida and its Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Hampshire, UK.

To read the full story, click here

7. Disaronno wears Etro for 2016 edition

One of a plethora of brands strengthening their links to the fashion industry, liqueur brand Disaronno continued its limited edition Icon partnership in 2016 with an Etro-designed bottle.

The design draws inspiration from Etro’s Autumn/Winter 2016 collection, which references the paisley print throughout.

To read the full story, click here

6. Public alcohol consumption in Thailand ‘off limits’

Thailand mourned the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in October who died after 70 years on the throne.

The government promptly called for people to avoid “joyful events” for 30 days, and declared partying and drinking alcohol in public places “off-limits” – including Koh Phangan’s infamous full moon party.

To read the full story, click here

5. Johnnie Walker Green Label gets global revival

The world’s biggest-selling Scotch whisky brand revived Johnnie Walker Green Label in April, much to the delight of ‘Striding Man’ fans across the globe.

The 15-year-old blended malt was withdrawn five years ago in all markets except Taiwan and has returned as part of the Johnnie Walker core range in response to “popular demand”.

To read the full story, click here

4. Bar manager jailed over bacon-infused vodka

Bacon-infused vodka caused quite a stir in the US city of Oklahoma – and readers of The Spirits Business – last June.

Colin Grizzle, on-duty manager at The Pump Bar, was arrested after unsealed bottles of vodka containing bacon, beef, pickles, garlic and jalapeños were discovered by authorities in a storage area.

To read the full story, click here

3. London’s “first” nudist bar opens

Brits went ‘clothes-free’ 60ft up from the ground in London’s “first” naked pop-up bar last summer.

As well as an open-air bar, the rooftop hangout housed sunbathing areas and even opportunity for a work-out with – shudder – a bounce on a trampoline or a round of swing-ball.

To read the full story, click here

2. Lagavulin celebrates 200 years with 8YO whisky

Islay distillery Lagavulin marked its 200th anniversary year in 2016, grabbing readers attention with the launch of – amongst other releases – Lagavulin 8 Year Old.

The whisky was created in honour of whisky scribe Alfred Barnard from the 19th century, who historically described the dram as “exceptionally fine” and “held in high repute”.

To read the full story, click here

1. JD single barrel Motörhead edition sells out

Jack Daniel’s nabbed the top spot with its sell-out Motörhead edition, a single barrel limited expression marking 40 years of the rock band, following the death of singer Ian Fraser “Lemmy” Kilmister.

The much-loved singer once claimed in a documentary that he drank a bottle of Jack Daniel’s every day, and was so intrinsically linked to the brand that a petition to rename the JD and cola serve ‘A Lemmy’ in memory of the band’s late founder amassed 45,505 signatures.

To read the full story, click here

 

It looks like you're in Asia, would you like to be redirected to the Drinks Business Asia edition?

Yes, take me to the Asia edition No