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Spirits

Spirits

Bengal rum and India's forgotten spirits history
Vikram Doctor explains how Indian rum is both an emerging category and has a storied history, dating back to the 18th century.
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28 April, 2022
Pisco cocktail

Spirits

Pisco: why we must look beyond the sour
Oli Dodd pulls back the curtains on a spirit that has much more to offer than a sour.
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21 April, 2022
Peated whiskey

Spirits

Smoke signals - how American whiskey is turning to peat
There are signs that peated American whiskey is about to catch fire, says Tristan Stephenson.
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04 April, 2022
raicilla agave

Spirits

Exploring...Raicilla
Laura Foster takes a deep dive into one of the lesser-known cousins of the main agave spirits.
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04 April, 2022
Johnnie Walker Visitor Experience

Spirits

Dave Broom on the "changing discussion" around scotch blends
Are scotch blends becoming sexy? Dave Broom discovers a changing world at the new Johnnie Walker Experience Centre in Edinburgh.
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12 January, 2022
Light spirits

Spirits

The rise of the mid-proof spirit category
There’s been no, there’s been low, and now there is a new mid-proof drinks category taking shape. Millie Milliken explores the rise of the ‘light’ spirit, and how it translates into bars.
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05 January, 2022
Mastiha crystals

Spirits

Exploring... Mastiha
In the first of a new series on little-known liquids, Laura Foster sets her sights on Greek liqueur mastiha
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17 December, 2021
Agave pina

Spirits

The remaking of mixto
Are bartenders and consumers unnecessarily prejudiced against mixto, or could the variety’s re-emergence in the UK threaten the hard-won success of the 100% agave-led tequila category? Amy Hopkins investigates.
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17 December, 2021
Green stills

Spirits

Green stills - how scotch is aiming for net zero
Dave Broom reports on the progress being made by forward-thinking whisky producers aiming to reduce their environmental impact.
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05 November, 2021
Cuban scenery

Spirits

Cuban rum - the fast-growing category with regional diversity
Unlike most other countries with a presence in the category, Cuba has a very precise method when it comes to making rums, producing terroir-driven styles from around the island. Ian Burrell has the details
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04 November, 2021
Spirits bottles

Spirits

Labelling theory - could bottle information be about to change?
Tim Etherington-Judge of Healthy Hospo and calvados brand Avallen explains how great changes to spirits labelling are afoot.
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19 October, 2021

Spirits

The sweet tooth of the bitter stuff
Amaro and vermouth have positioned themselves as low abv and mindful drinking stalwarts. But how long will that last, asks François Monti.
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02 September, 2021

Spirits

American Single Malt - the birth of a new category?
It looks like American Single Malt Whiskey is about to become a legal definition. But is this a good thing? Dave Broom sifts through the perceived pros and cons.
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26 August, 2021

Spirits

Old Spice: is spiced rum finally maturing?

Rum ambassador Ian Burrell says the spiced rum sector is finally coming of age. 
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25 August, 2021

Spirits

Green wash: the spirits made from waste ingredients

Creating infusions from waste ingredients is an established practice in bars, but what about in spirits production? Clinton Cawood reports.
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05 August, 2021

Spirits

Grain to glass? The first stop is vodka
Vodka is the perfect spirit to introduce consumers to the concept of grain to glass spirits. Laura Foster has the inside story.
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05 August, 2021

Spirits

Blanc canvas: why cognac is now looking beyond Ugni Blanc
Cognac’s grape varieties don’t get much attention – the spotlight is usually taken by terroir and ageing. But as consumer curiosity and global warming take hold, are things about to change for the grape, asks Lucy Britner
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10 June, 2021

Spirits

Has aperitif culture finally taken hold?
UK drinkers have been braving the elements as bars have been allowed to open outside. Will this lead to a boom in aperitif- style drinks, Amy Hopkins asks.
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08 June, 2021

Spirits

The other side of Cognac
As a category dominated by big brands, does cognac exhibit that oh-so French term ‘terroir’? Edward Bates digs deep for the answers.
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13 May, 2021
Cocktail Bitters

Spirits

How the cocktail bitters market has changed
You might not see as many encyclopaedic bitters selections in bars nowadays, but the category has plenty of life in it, says Clinton Cawood
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13 May, 2021

Spirits

Incredible Bulk: how spirits supply is changing
Bulk spirits could turn into big business as trends towards more sustainable practices continue. What, asks Lucy Britner, does that mean for the brands on the back bar?
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28 April, 2021

Spirits

The spirit the cocktail movement left behind

Most classic categories have benefited from the cocktail renaissance and the growing interest in craft spirits. Not so Spanish brandy, says François Monti
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02 March, 2021
tequila barrel

Spirits

Tequila aged in cognac barrels? It's tequila, but different
While using casks from different spirits categories to age or finish tequila is not entirely new, it is unusual. Lucy Britner looks at the future potential
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14 January, 2021
bourbon, old fashioned

Spirits

Old fashioned politics: how failed diplomacy is damaging whiskey
If whisk(e)y tariffs are not de-escalated soon, it could be costly for everyone involved. Hamish Smith reports
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30 November, 2020
Black Lives Matter, rum

Spirits

Rum through a pandemic lens
Ian Burrell explains how the pandemic and Black Lives Matters movement exposed outdated marketing in rum.
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18 September, 2020
Going rogue

Spirits

Gin has grown, but in what direction?
Gin specialist Emma Stokes believes elements of the category are headed in the wrong direction. Stop with the exhibitionism she says, gin's reputation is at stake
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03 September, 2020
amaro

Spirits

Amari and their bittersweet progress
Italian amari are taking their sweet time making their mark. François Monti explains why
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05 April, 2020
NGS

Spirits

The mysterious world of neutral grain spirit
Brands rarely broadcast their use of neutral grain spirit, but Amy Hopkins wonders whether transparency wouldn’t be more helpful in aiding the understanding of this vital ingredient.
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14 February, 2020
mezcal production

Spirits

Understanding mezcal
In the bar industry, mezcal is big, but still so little is known about this artisanal spirit. Tom Bartram takes you through the rudiments of a diverse and sometimes confusing category.
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13 February, 2020

Spirits

Irish Single Pot Still whiskey's next challenge
Can Irish single pot still whiskey take on Scottish single malts, asks Oisin Davis, founder of Great Irish Beverages.
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13 February, 2020