Vodka’s Neutral Days Are Over
The sluggish category sees new energy from innovative technologies and a craft-driven push towards terroir-expression, new ingredients, and an emphasis on flavor
Spirits
LATEST
The Unconventional New World of Botanical Spirits
Contemporary gins and new spirits categories drive an explosion of innovative botanical offerings
Hard-Hit American Craft Distillers Prepare for Future Growth
Permanent Federal Excise Tax reduction and loosening direct-to-consumer shipping laws breed optimism amidst ongoing challenges
Why U.S. Distillers Are Reaching for Rice
Driven by innovation, heritage, and an influx of rice whiskies from Asia, craft distillers are creating top-quality American versions
Irish Whiskey’s Bold Flavor Revolution
A trend towards innovative cask finishes challenges the category’s light-bodied, easy-drinking reputation
Light Whiskey’s Comeback?
Distillers rediscover this high-proof, light-colored—and long forgotten—category as a blank canvas of opportunity
Our Top Spirits Stories of 2020
The rise of the alcohol-free movement within the spirits and cocktail worlds gained serious momentum in 2020, and our coverage of the trend scored high with readers
Why Mexican Corn Whiskey Should Be on Your Radar
A new craft movement, let by mezcal distillers, is reclaiming Mexico’s ancestral grain
All Japanese Whiskies Are Not Created Equal
Faced with an influx of new brands, many from dubious sources, distillers push for transparency within their elusive category
Distillers Push to Define American Single Malt
With quality and terroir expression at an all-time high in the burgeoning category, producers continue to lobby for formal and consistent regulations
The Rise of the Craft Canned Cocktail
How bartenders and craft distillers are revolutionizing the fast-growing RTD category with bar-quality cocktails in a can
Small Tequila and Mezcal Producers Struggle to Survive
Largely dependent on U.S. bars and restaurants, Mexico’s craft distilleries are in trouble, and trying to find new ways to connect with consumers
