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Top 10
SB’s most-read stories in October
Whisky news was what drew The Spirits Business’ online readers in October, with nine of our top 10 stories about whisky brands.
With multiple new celebrity-backed brands and distillery openings and reopenings, it’s unsurprising our readers couldn’t get enough.
Keep scrolling to discover what our readers were clicking on in October.
10. Michael Bublé releases whiskey
Christmas came early for Michael Bublé fans, with the singer-songwriter revealing he has created a whiskey brand with some help from master distiller and blender Paul Cirka.
Fraser & Thompson is a North American whiskey that blends both Canadian whisky and Kentucky Bourbon. The expression is blended and bottled by Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky.
9. Yamazaki Distillery to reopen to public
Suntory Spirits has today (1 November) reopened its renovated Yamazaki Distillery to the public, and it seems many of you were making plans to visit when it was announced in October.
Located on the outskirts of Kyoto in Japan, the Japanese whisky distillery will offer two new-look tours to visitors.
The company said it has invested 10 billion JPY (US$77 million) into both its Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
8. Diageo launches RTD line
The ready-to-drink (RTD) boom shows no sign of slowing, and it seems our readers aren’t tired of new options yet.
Diageo’s new bottled range features classic cocktails made with the company’s brands, including a Ketel One Vodka Espresso Martini and a Tanqueray Gin Negroni.
The new releases join Bulleit Bourbon’s bottled Manhattan and Old Fashioned cocktails, which launched last year.
7. Johnnie Walker fifth most valuable brand in UK
Scotch brand Johnnie Walker has proven it is a great British success story after being named the fifth most valuable brand in the UK by Kantar.
The Diageo-owned brand was one of only three alcohol brands to make the list (another being Gordon’s gin, also owned by Diageo).
The whisky brand was valued at US$10.9 billion.
6. Pernod to build Islay whisky distillery
Islay distillers are going to be given a run for their money now that Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky arm of Pernod Ricard, has revealed plans to open its first distillery on the island.
The site will focus on making Islay single malt and will also be carbon neutral, in line with the company’s ambition to be carbon neutral across all of its facilities by the end of 2026.
5. Floyd Mayweather releases whisky range
First it was Tequila, then gin and now it’s whisky’s turn for a touch of celebrity.
Former boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr has launched Good Money Whisky, with plans to be in 44 states by the end of next year.
The new collection comprises two whiskies: a five-year-old blended whisky and a 10-year-old rye.
4. Rampur expands Jugalbandi whisky line
This month Radico Khaitan added three Indian whiskies to its range: two limited edition single malts, The Jugalbandi #3 and #4, and the 2023 edition of its Rampur Select.
Initially launching in the UK, the new Jugalbandi expressions will also roll in the US, EU, Singapore and global travel retail.
3. Glenfiddich releases 1973 whisky in UK
Scotch brand Glenfiddich added to its Archive Collection with a limited edition 49-year-old whisky.
The liquid was taken from a refill American Oak cask and has an aroma of ‘French polish in an old sweet shop’.
With only 83 bottles available, it’s unlikely many – if any – who clicked this article managed to get their hands on one.
2. Sukhinder Singh on selling The Whisky Exchange
In 2021, news broke that Pernod Ricard had bought family-owned brand The Whisky Exchange for an undisclosed amount. Two years later, our readers were eager to hear all about the future of the firm and what the Singh family will be doing next.
Talking about his and his brother’s decision to sell the company to Pernod Ricard, Sukhinder Singh said: “We were happy we were going to give it to someone in good hands, a company that has similar family values to us.”
1. Jameson hits the right notes
Our top story last month saw whisky and rum come together with Jameson Remixed Caribbean Beats.
The new expression is the result of a 21-year commitment to maturation in rum-seasoned casks, and you were all keen to hear about master distiller Kevin O’Gorman’s process and tasting notes.