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The top 10 ‘top 10s’ of 2017

Whisky industry acquisitions, banned booze adverts and the most expensive spirits launches – these were our most read ‘top 10s’ in 2017.

Top whisky industry acquisitions made our list of most read top 10s in 2017

It comes as no surprise that some of our most read top 10 page-turners online feature spirits with a hefty price tag, cocktail lists from globally acclaimed bars and whisky brands of the future.

We also marked International Women’s Day with a round-up of top female executives in the industry and celebrated Burns Night with a selection of Scottish spirits that aren’t Scotch.

Which other top 10s were the most popular among our readers? Click through the following pages to find out.

10. Artesian marks transformation with new menu

Following the departure of Alex Kratena and Simone Caporale in November 2015, the globally acclaimed Artesian at The Langham hotel named Dino Koletsas as director of bars and Gabor Fodor as head bartender.

The new Perception menu under the bar’s new team featured a list of 20 drinks said to “consciously challenge assumptions” and “focus on the rich history of cocktail-making”.

To see the full round-up, click here.

9. Most outrageous banned booze adverts

Back in March last year, we picked out an audacious selection of banned booze ads that found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

The ASA has banned adverts for a number of reasons, including linking alcohol consumption with sexual activity and featuring people that appeared to be under the age of 18.

To see the full round-up, click here.

8. Top whisky industry acquisitions

A number of leading spirits firms have had industry heads turning with a rush of bold M&A deals in the whisky world.

Last year saw some of the biggest drinks group extend their spirit offering, with some moving into American and Irish whiskey, including SPI Group’s first foray into American whiskey with the acquisition of Kentucky Owl Bourbon in January, while Bacardi entered the Irish whiskey category with a minority stake in Teeling Whiskey Company in June.

To see the full round-up, click here.

7. Ten of the most expensive spirits launches of 2017

As consumers become increasingly willing to spend more on better products, luxury spirits producers are starting to reimagine the super-premium-plus category and take cues from the ‘craft’ craze.

From silent distillery drams and anniversary releases to unusual barrel maturations, we selected some of the most expensive new spirits to hit the market in 2017.

To see the full round-up, click here.

6. Top 10 Scottish spirits that aren’t Scotch

On 25 January, we celebrated the life and work of Scottish poet Robert Burns with a round-up of Scottish spirits that aren’t traditionally Scotch.

Scotland’s rich spirits industry also spans gin, vodka and liqueurs, and even brandy and rum, meaning Scotch sceptics are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting their preferred tipple.

To see the full round-up, click here.

5. Top 10 modern classic cocktails

To mark World Cocktail Day on 13 May, SB celebrated 10 contemporary cocktails from across the globe that have gleaned the title of modern classic – and will continue to top drinks menus in years to come.

While classics such as the Old Fashioned, Negroni and Martini will forever be revered, we seek to celebrate the creations of our time that will still appear on global bar menus in 10, 20 or 30 years and beyond.

To see the full round-up, click here.

4. Ten leading female spirits industry executives

To mark International Women’s Day, The Spirits Business is celebrating the talents of 10 of the spirits industry’s leading female executives.

International Women’s Day serves as an important reminder of the work which has already been done as we move towards gender equality – and also highlights that a good deal still needs to be done.

To see the full round-up, click here.

3. Children’s books inspire Blind Pig cocktail list

At the very beginning of 2017, Jason Atherton’s London cocktail bar The Blind Pig launched the ‘Long and Short Great British Tails’ menu – inspired by classic British children’s stories such as Alice in Wonderland and The BFG.Designed by The Designed by the Social Company’s group bar executive, Jamie Jones, and The Blind Pig’s bar manager Dan Berger, each element of every cocktail is designed to be “intrinsically” linked to the chosen from story – from the name to the ingredients.

To see the full round-up, click here.

2. Whisky brands of the future

There’s no doubt about it: the world has gone whisky mad. According to the Distilled Spirits Council, volume sales of Bourbon, Tennessee whiskey and rye whiskey from the US grew by 6.8% to 21 million cases in 2016, as revenues increased 7.7% to US$3.1 billion.

The whisky wave continues further afield: new distilleries are cropping up left, right and centre in the likes of Japan, Canada, Germany, Australia, India and Wales and look set to give the traditional regions a run for their money in the coming years.

The Spirits Business shines a light on the distilleries quietly maturing the brands of tomorrow. Our round-up even spawned a second instalment of future whisky brands to watch out for.

To see the full round-up, click here.

1. Jim Murray Whisky Bible 2018 winners

The Whisky Bible 2018 was unveiled in October last year, revealing that an innovative four-grain Bourbon from the Buffalo Trace Distillery had claimed the top spot. The annual book by whisky expert Jim Murray is said to be the most comprehensive and thoroughly researched series of whisky tasting notes and scores.

We round up the other expressions that secured top accolades in the Whisky Bible 2018.

To see the full round-up, click here.

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