Drinks International - The global choice for drinks buyers

Gin Guild dinner

Fri, 10 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

I became an honorary Gin Rectifier last night (May 9). I took an oath and now I am duty bound to promote the best interests of gin.

Whisky Galore

Thu, 09 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

I went to two whisky launches yesterday (May 8) � Bacardi�s Glen Deveron, the Royal Burgh Collection and Pernod Ricard/Chivas Brothers� The Glenlivet Alpha. Both interesting for different reasons and very much a case of �chalk & cheese� when it comes to the brand and what they are doing with it.

London Wine Fair moves back to Olympia

Tue, 07 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

So, London Wine Fair organisers have bowed to the inevitable and announced that the new UK-only show will return to Olympia in 2014. It was always a bit of a gamble shifting the old war horse out to London Docklands, even if it was to a purpose-built exhibition complex.

Gin Debate � a missed opportunity

Fri, 03 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

I attended the Worshipful Company of Distillers� City Debate on Gin last night. I have to say I think it was an opportunity missed.

German wine with Indian food

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Another great food and wine matching event at the Cinnamon Club in London last night (April 29). This time hosted by Wines of Germany with master of wine Jeannie Cho Lee leading the charge for Riesling and Spatburgunder (or Pinot Noir).

Patience Gould on honeyed whiskies

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Former Drinks International editor Patience Gould gets a bee in her bonnet about honeyed whiskies

Patience Gould on alcoholic strength

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Former Drinks International editor Patience Gould finds the trend for reducing alcoholic strength can compromise the spirit

Patience Gould on flavoured gins

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Former Drinks International editor Patience Gould ponders Diageo�s approach to gin as it follows the flavoured route

Patience Gould on the last great innovation

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Former Drinks International editor Patience Gould looks at the wacky world of flavoured drinks as Baileys nears 40

Keeper of the Quaich

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

On Monday night I became a �Keeper of the Quaich�. For those of you who do not know what that it is, The Keepers of the Quaich is an �exclusive, international community of people recognised for their outstanding commitment to Scotch whisky�.

The art of blending

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Last night (February 13) I sat through another Diageo master class on the art of blending and the importance of blended Scotch Whisky to the overall whisky and spirits market.

Former DI editor Patience Gould on Johnnie Walker

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

I vividly recall a conversation, over lunch, with a one-time publisher, who will remain nameless, and my utter astonishment when he pronounced that, up until said lunch, he had always thought blended whisky was a mix of different malt whiskies...

Tomas Estes: La Capilla

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

In the doorway in the soft, Mexican early afternoon, sitting on the floor against the wall is a figure that in most other settings is a pariah. He is a Mexican man with down syndrome. In this place he is accepted, welcome as is everyone. I am again in La Capilla.

Diageo gets United Spirits

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

India has huge tax tariffs and a labyrinthine bureaucracy. At the moment most Indian whisky drinkers have to raise a second mortgage to get their hands on a decent bottle of scotch...

Cancun airport

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Going to the airport is a generally depressing experience these days. We only do it because either we have to for work, or we�re off on holiday to somewhere far, far better...