BE IN THE KNOW ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING! JAN TO MAR 2021

There is a massive opportunity in the global whiskey market, but it isn’t an industry for the faint of heart.

That’s according to Kerry woman June O’Connell, who has returned to her roots to develop a €10 million micro-distillery and visitor centre along the Ring of Kerry.(February 23, 2021 - Nicola Glennon - Irish Examiner)

The past decade or so has been kind to the whisky drinker. Up until then, their choice of dram was generally limited to Scotland, Ireland and the USA – and little else. But now the options are vast – whisky is made all around the world, and the results are giving the traditional producers something to think about..(February 22, 2021 - Spirit News)

While we can’t holiday abroad just now, it does look likely that we can spend some time exploring Scotland this summer. If you’re a whisky fan, make sure to check out some of these hotels and self catering accommodations.(February 18, 2021 - Rosalind  Erskine - The Scotsman)

UK hospitality businesses were not ‘significant areas’ of Covid-19 transmission last year and should be seen as ‘high priority’ for reopening plans, according to a new report. (February 17, 2021 - Nicola Carruthers - The Spirits Business)

A cooper is a specialised job, with the main job being to build and repair whisky barrels. Whisky barrels are important as they hold the alcohol and can give the beverage a different flavour, depending on the wood used.(February 15, 2021 - Shannon Mcaleer - Brig Newspaper)

Despite the relief of the UK leaving the EU with a trade deal, spirits companies have been plunged into more uncertainty, facing problems concerning exporting, labelling and possible cost increases.(February 12, 2021 - Nicola Carruthers - The Spirits Business)

The value of Scotch whisky exports fell by £1.1 billion (US$1.5bn) in 2020 to its lowest level in a decade as a result of the pandemic and US-imposed tariffs, according to the Scotch Whisky Association.. (February 12, 2021 - Owen Bellwood - The Spirits Business)

Sales across the UK hospitality sector fell 54% in 2020 as the industry faced its ‘worst year of trading on record’, according to a new report. (February 3, 2021 - Owen Bellwood - The Spirits Business)

Tracie Franklin broke barriers at Glenfiddich. Now, she hopes to open a path for aspiring Black distillers.. (February 2, 2021 - Kirk Miller - InsideHook.com)

As alcohol ecommerce and direct-to-consumer continue to evolve, Uber Technologies today announced an agreement to buy Drizly.

The price is approximately $1.1 billion in stock and cash. (February 2, 2021 - Kyle Swartz - Beverage Dynamics)

Losses to Scotch whisky exports have reached £500m as a result of tariffs imposed by the US, according to an industry body. (February 2, 2021 - Melita Kiely - The Spirits Business)

Alan Campbell, Owner of The Bankers Bar in Dublin, speaks about missing the buzz of pub life and how Guinness Raising the Bar has been a much-needed support during these testing times. (February 1, 2021 - Independent.ie)

A 72-year-old bottle of Glen Grant single malt whisky from Scotland fetched more than $54,000 in an auction in Hong Kong on Friday. (January 29, 2021 - Zen Soo - Phys.ORG)

For the 11th consecutive year, spirits have continued to gain market share from beer and wine in the US, according to new data from the Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus). (January 29, 2021 - Melita Kiely - The Spirits Business)

Scotch whisky producer Speyside Distillers has revealed plans to open a second single malt distillery in the region. (January 28, 2021 - Nicola Carruthers - The Spirits Business)

t's an exciting time for whisky fans with new distilleries popping up across the country. The last few years have seen a bumper crop of brand new Scottish whiskies as each distillery's spirits came of age. (January 28, 2021 - Sean Murphy - Scotland Now)

Despite everything, 2020 was a fantastic year for new drinks. We unveil the final instalment of our innovative spirits launches of the last 12 months, with one pioneering product taking the top spot. (January 27, 2021 - Melita Kiely - The Spirits Business)

A movie about Scotch, but more than that, this is an insight into what it means. Mark Reynier is strongly featured too. (January 18, 2021 - Irish Whiskey Magazine)

The distillery exclusives feature some of the oldest whiskies released from these iconic distilleries and for the first time ever, the sought-after single malts will be available for UK-based customers to order from the comfort of their own homes. With just over 600 bottles available across the three distilleries, these expressions are incredibly rare, and once they’re gone, they’re gone forever (January 17, 2021 - Scotch Whisky News)

A collection of whiskies from Compass Box, the independent Scotch whisky bottler founded in 2000 by former Johnnie Walker marketing director John Glaser, has been put up for auction this week. (January 15, 2021 - Robert Ham - The Whiskey Wash)

Trade associations from the US, EU and UK have lamented the introduction of additional US tariffs on Cognac and certain brandies, and are pleading for the immediate suspension of all tariffs on spirits and wine. (January 13, 2021 - Melita Kiely - The Spirits Business)

Bourbon producer Brough Brothers has opened what is thought to be the first Black-owned distillery in the state of Kentucky. Founded by brothers Victor, Bryson, and Christian Yarbrough, the Louisville distillery was approved in August 2018 and recognised as Kentucky’s first African American-owned distillery in 2020. (January 5, 2021 - Owen Bellwood - The Spirits Business)

Happy New Year! Let’s go over the past year once again and make a list of our personal highlights of 2019 before we start a new year of (almost) daily whisky reviews. (January 4, 2021 - WhiskyNotes.be)

The US will impose a 25% tariff on additional European goods, including Cognac and brandy from France and Germany, as part of a long-running dispute. (January 4, 2021 - Nicola Carruthers - The Spirits Business)