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American whiskey exports to Canada dropped 70% year-over-year from March through December 2025, falling from roughly $203 million to $60 million after several provinces pulled U.S. spirits from shelves, according to the American Whiskey Association. Canada has since enforced retaliatory tariffs of 15% to 50% on U.S. goods, and Trump issued a Sept. 8 proclamation banning imports of Canadian products, including alcoholic beverages, effective Sept. 29.
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González Byass USA is now the exclusive US importer of Almave, Lewis Hamilton's non-alcoholic agave spirit, with Southern Glazer's handling distribution effective immediately. The deal covers the full portfolio: blue agave Blanco and Ámbar plus Humo, an espadín-based mezcal alternative, all made without fermentation at under 0.5% ABV.
The Spirits Business |
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MOTH, a U.K. ready-to-drink cocktail brand, is investing $15 million to grow in the U.S. market, betting on rising demand for premium canned cocktails.
Brewbound |
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Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits has hired Anheuser-Busch InBev veteran Glendal Vandenbempt as managing director of its newly created Gold Division.
Brewbound |
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French producers expect this year's harvest to deliver the lowest yields in 30 years after a growing season marked by droughts and wildfires.
VinePair |
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The Competition Authority of Kenya has approved Diageo's US$2.3 billion (£1.7bn) sale of its 65% stake in East African Breweries to Asahi, days after Nairobi's High Court ordered a pause, clearing the deal to close by year-end. Approval carries conditions: EABL must reserve funds to cover outstanding liabilities and allocate 20% of its refrigeration space in retail outlets to competitors' drinks.
The Drinks Business |
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New York changed its state liquor-license process to end a longstanding restriction on dancing at licensed venues. Dance Parade New York is now pressing to loosen remaining restrictions on live music and DJs.
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MGP Ingredients, long a contract whiskey supplier for other companies' brands, has started its own consumer-facing label, MGP Distillery, whose first release is MGP Chapter One: Out of the Shadows, a 10-year straight bourbon using the LBSV mashbill (60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley). It debuts at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival ahead of limited US distribution this fall, and follows a 42% drop in the company's whiskey sales in its most recent results.
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Restaurant and bar operators nationwide told Shanken News Daily that on-premise wine sales are trending up, with rising interest in wines by the glass and greater guest willingness to try new varietals, regions, and indigenous grapes. Whites are outselling reds in many markets, particularly seasonally driven ones that had hot summers, and operators point to approachable, easy-to-read menus and sommelier engagement as drivers.
Shanken News Daily |
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Astoria, Oregon's Buoy Beer Co. is merging with Eugene-based Great Frontier Holdings, the parent of Ninkasi, following continued struggles from a 2022 facility collapse.
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Champagne authorities have issued a temporary derogation for the 2026 vintage letting affected wines, including chaptalised ones, reach 15% alcohol, up from the usual 13% cap, after heat and drought pushed grape sugars unusually high; average potential alcohol across the appellation remains below 12%, though some parcels topped 13%. The measure is expected to apply to only a small number of producers, and the agronomic yield came in around 7,000kg/ha versus roughly 9,900kg/ha in 2025.
The Drinks Business |
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The owner of retailer Dan Murphy's has defeated Treasury Wine Estates' attempt to trademark a bottle, according to Lawyerly.
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Tom Rinaldi, the founding winemaker at Duckhorn Vineyards when it opened in 1978, died in his sleep at his St. Helena home on Sept. 6 at age 77. He oversaw 22 vintages at Duckhorn and worked across 50 vintages total, with stops at Round Hill, Hewitt, and Provenance, all of which he helped launch, and is credited with establishing the California Merlot category for American consumers.
Shanken News Daily |
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C&C Group has agreed to buy Asahi's Nectar Imports UK wholesale and distribution business for "nominal consideration," folding it into its Matthew Clark Bibendum operation, which will assume the Fuller, Smith & Turner on-trade supply arrangements and take over direct distribution from Asahi's Griffin Brewery. Asahi keeps full ownership of the Griffin Brewery and London Pride production; the deal was disclosed alongside C&C's half-year results showing net revenue down 3%.
Just Drinks |
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Carrie Yunker, former executive vice president at Bell's Brewery, has taken the VP of human resources role at Imperial Beverage. Her return ends a "retirement" of more than 16 months.
Brewbound |
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Just Drinks calls global travel retail one of the few growth pockets in the spirits sector, and says the channel is more competitive than ever while the rewards keep brands investing.
Just Drinks |
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Spanish brewer Mahou San Miguel has bought local coffee brands La Flor del Café and Gran Café Royale. The company says the brands will complement its existing Café170 range.
Just Drinks |
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CJ Foods' premium Korean distilled spirits brand jari won medals for all three entries at the 2026 IWSC and 2026 ISC, including a Gold at the ISC for jari Moonbaesool 24, which also scored 94 points at the IWSC. Made with Moonbaesool Brewery and Danong Bio and launched in Korea this July, jari is set to debut in the U.S. this fall.
PR Newswire (Wine & Spirits) |
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Ahead of the UK's 28 October Autumn Budget, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association has urged chancellor John Healey to abandon a planned duty rise and instead cut alcohol tax, saying spirit volumes have fallen 15.3% since the record 10.1% spirits duty increase of August 2023. A further RPI-linked rise expected in February 2027 would lift duty by 2.9%, adding 31p to a 37.5% ABV bottle of gin and 34p to a 40% ABV bottle of Scotch, while excise receipts for 2025-26 are down against 2022-23.
The Spirits Business |
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Industry association Wines of Chile has launched a marketing campaign called Chile Pacífico spotlighting the country's ocean-influenced, easy-drinking wines and seafood pairings, with events run so far in Brazil and New York. Chilean Sauvignon Blanc exports rose 12% by volume in the first quarter of 2026, reaching 24.7 million litres versus 22.1m litres a year earlier, per Chile's Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (ODEPA).
The Drinks Business |
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Christina Aguilera has joined Beau Joie Champagne as a stakeholder and global creative director, tasked with promoting the brand's low- and no-added-sugar cuvées and its "Bubble Better" message. Beau Joie's parent company and importer is Toast Spirits, which says Aguilera will support its push to expand distribution in the better-for-you Champagne segment.
The Drinks Business |
