Latest news with #gin
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MGP Ingredients names ex-Constellation, Coke exec CEO
US distiller MGP Ingredients has named former Constellation Brands and Coca-Cola executive Julie Francis its president and CEO. The whiskey, vodka and gin distiller said Francis would take the helm today (21 July). Brandon Gall, who has been interim president and CEO since January, will continue to be the CFO of the Remus Bourbon owner. Gall took the reins when David Bratcher resigned just before Christmas after less than a year as MGP Ingredients CEO. 'Julie is a proven leader with decades of experience driving growth and value creation across the food and beverage space, making her the ideal candidate to lead MGP forward,' chairman Martin Roper said. Roper added the new CEO would 'build on the actions that Brandon and the MGP team have taken to better align our businesses with current consumer trends'. In 2024, MGP Ingredients sales fell 16% to $703.6m and its adjusted EBITDA decreased 6% to $196.5m. Net income slid by more than two thirds from $107.5m to $34.7m. Last October, amid pressure on spirits sales in the US and higher levels of inventory across the country's whiskey industry, MGP Ingredients issued a profit warning. The group subsequently announced plans to cut whiskey production. In the first quarter of 2025, MGP Ingredients' sales decreased 29% to $121.7m. The company recorded a loss of $3.1m, which it was said was primarily due to the change in 'fair value of the contingent consideration liability' related to the "improved performance" of the Penelope Bourbon brand. On an adjusted basis, net income decreased 68% to $7.8m. For 2025 as a whole, the company is forecasting sales of $520-$540m and adjusted EBITDA of $105-115m. Francis' most recent executive role was COO at US frozen-food group Schwan's Company from January 2021 to July 2024, according to her LinkedIn profile. She joined Schwan's in 2018 after just under 18 months at Constellation Brands, where she was senior vice president of commercial and category development for the Modelo brewer's Total Beverage Alcohol platform. Before Constellation, Francis was chief commercial officer for The Coca-Cola Company for five years. Before The Coca-Cola Company, her six years at the then Coca-Cola European Partners included two as VP for sales and marketing in North America. 'MGP's strong foundation, built on a legacy of quality, operational excellence, and a portfolio of attractive alcoholic spirits brands, is a true credit to this talented team,' she said in a statement. 'I am excited to partner with Brandon and the MGP team as we build upon this excellent platform to grow our brands, deepen consumer connections, and create value for all stakeholders.' "MGP Ingredients names ex-Constellation, Coke exec CEO" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Daily Mail
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Margot Robbie enjoys drinks with pals in London before leaving diners shocked by her touching gesture
Margot Robbie flashed a dazzling smile as she enjoyed brunch and drinks with pals at Bondi Green restaurant in London's Paddington this week. The Australian actress, 35, was in great spirits as she joined husband Tom Ackerley and other friends for a healthy lunch at the Australian eatery - where she soon left everyone stunned by a touching gesture. Margot was clearly in a great mood as she reportedly bought a round of cocktails for everyone in the restaurant. It is said that dozens of lucky customers were treated to a drink by the star - who was also dining with owners Prue Freeman and Tom Onions - with cocktails featuring her own gin brand. Margot cut a stylish figure in a brown blazer teaming her off-duty look with a white top and pale jeans. She accessorised her chic ensemble with a black handbag and beaded necklace, while showcasing her natural beauty with minimal make-up. The Barbie star looked relaxed as she chatted with producer pals producers Josey McNamara, Regan Riskas and Charlie Maas over drinks including their very own Papa Salt gin. MailOnline have contacted Margot's reps for comment. Margot's generous outing comes after she spent the day drinking shots at Wayne Lineker's iconic O Beach club in Ibiza. The self-confessed lover of partying - who previously professed her love for cheesy Clapham nightclub Infernos - jetted off to Ibiza earlier this month. Margot was spotted at the club by its co-owner Tony Truman's daughter Kiki, who he shares with EastEnders star Charlie Brooks. Tony said the star ended up drinking shots with his daughter and the trio were seen beaming in a snap with Tony and Kiki while wearing a brown T-shirt wrap dress, with a red and gold patterned head scarf and aviator sunglasses. 'When your daughter casually introduces you to a Hollywood A lister @margotrobbieofficial and one of the most beautiful woman in the world on the @obeachibiza stage,' Tony wrote as he shared the snap. 'They both reacquainted there love of doing shots together. Kiki casually dropped that next time the two of them will be doing shots together will be when they celebrate doing a movie together. 'Let's hope so darling both very talented actresses who both love partying & Ibiza.' O Beach co-owner Wayne Lineker, the brother of footballer Gary Lineker, reshared the snap to his Instagram Story, writing: 'Hahaha typical I'm not there for once [eye roll].' It comes after Margot hosted a pool party for her gin brand, Papa Salt before heading into Glastonbury Festival alongside 200,000 revellers. A pop-hotel was erected by Worthy Farm and the Barbie star looked casual in a brown strappy top and shorts sat by the poolside drinking her latest Blood Orange Gin Spritz, in collaboration with Fever Tree. Unlike most A-lister celebrities who opt to helicopter in and out of the Worthy Farm site from their five star hotels, the Suicide Squad star chose a more humble option of staying with family friends in their farmhouse. A source close to the Glastonbury told MailOnline: 'Margot is a long running friend of the festival and she's chosen to stay with some girls she went to school with in Australia who live just off the site.' She was later seen arriving at the iconic festival, beaming as she shared drinks with pals. The Hollywood super star is beloved for her down-to-earth lifestyle having lived in London's Clapham area as a budding actress and partying in the local nightclub, Infernos - where she used to spend her Friday nights with now-husband Tom.
The Guardian
18-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
The best gins for G&Ts, martinis and negronis, from our taste test of 50
Gin and tonic has been a mainstay of British drinking culture since the 17th century, when its initial medicinal use soon turned recreational. It has seen several notable explosions in popularity over the years. The effects of the 18th-century 'gin craze' were famously immortalised in Hogarth's satirical artwork Gin Lane – though some might say worse crimes have been committed in the name of gin more recently. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. A centuries-old ban on small-scale distilling was finally lifted in the UK in 2009, fuelling a huge boom in 'craft gin' and record sales between 2015 and 2019. It also led to an incredible variety of bottles, flavours and colours, which were sometimes more weird than wonderful: Vegemite or Jaffa Cake gin, anyone? So, what is gin? Unlike scotch whisky, there are few legal requirements for a spirit to be sold as gin. Essentially, it needs to be made from a neutral spirit (usually derived from grain); it must have a predominant juniper flavour and must be bottled at 37.5% ABV minimum. These loose criteria give distillers plenty of room to play around with ingredients, infusions and distillation methods – creating a huge range of gin styles. And there are myriad ways to enjoy them: whether your go-to is the classic G&T, a martini, negroni or another cocktail, gin's versatility means it's no surprise it has endured. As a long-term member of the mother's ruin fanclub – and having written about drinks for almost a decade – I have collected and tried hundreds of different gins. For this test, I revisited my home-bar favourites as well as trying many new-to-me gins to bring you this selection of delicious and interesting gins for your drinking delectation. I considered 50 gins from 40 brands, testing each one for aroma, before sipping it straight and drinking it in a gin and tonic with ice and lemon. If the brand suggested a specific serve, I tried that too. Making my way through a refreshing gin flight in my garden (during a heatwave), I was once again struck by gratitude that this is classed as actual work – but work it is, and I hope my thorough testing results in more gin enjoyment all round. These gins are mostly British, which wasn't intentional; there are fantastic Scandinavian, Japanese and Italian gins, and both Papa Salt and Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz from Australia almost made the list. Ultimately, though, classic British ingredients and techniques still hold their own. So ice at the ready: here are the 10 best gins to enjoy a summer of beautifully botanical serves. Bullards Coastal gin, 70cl £45 at Jarrolds From Norwich comes this clean, citrussy gin filled with the saline seaside flavours of the Norfolk coast. Infused with hand-foraged sea purslane, marsh samphire and Douglas fir, this is a bracing, salty joy to drink in a gin and tonic. Bullards suggests serving with blackberries and a twist of fresh lime, but a sprig of samphire is even better, in my opinion. This gin edged ahead thanks to its innovative eco-pouch format: buy a bottle for life and top up with more affordable pouches of gin, made from sugarcane, to reduce its carbon footprint – why don't more brands do this? The brand's Strawberry & Black Pepper gin is also wonderful with only a touch of sweetness, a sensible 40% ABV and a hefty thwack of warming black pepper. That Boutique-y Gin Company Proper Pink gin, 50cl £26.95 at Master of Malt£35.89 at Amazon The definition of pink gin has become a little muddled in recent years. Traditionally, it refers to a navy-strength gin with added Angostura bitters (which gives the pink hue), but it's evolved to include any pink-coloured gin – whether that's due to colouring, berry or rhubarb flavours, or spangly mermaids. Not in my book – or That Boutique-y Gin Company's. Its Proper Pink gin is a throwback to the 18th century: a 46% concoction of gin, lemon and vacuum-distilled Angostura, finished with even more Angostura. This is sophisticated stuff, best enjoyed in a martini with a twist. Hernö Old Tom gin, 50cl £34.50 at Master of Malt£35.99 at Drink Supermarket Sweden's award-winning gin distillery Hernö was named gin producer of the year in 2024 at the prestigious International Spirits Challenge. Hernö's Juniper Cask gin (the first gin to be matured in juniper wood) and Six Rivers gin (with an aroma of verdant Icelandic moss) are both standout – but the brand's Old Tom gin is a shining example of this category. Old Tom gins are named after the black cat symbol that signalled an 18th-century illegal distillery, and are sweeter than London dry, with sugar traditionally added to offset the harsher base spirit used in bootleg gin. The style proved popular, and Hernö's naturally sweet botanicals – including vanilla, honey, lingonberries and generous amounts of almondy meadowsweet – give it a fresh update. It's sweet and smooth enough for sipping, or perfectly at home in a Tom Collins. Renais Grand Cru Cask-Aged gin, 70cl £75 at the Spirit Co Actor Emma Watson's family have been winemaking in Burgundy for more than 30 years, and Renais – a grape-based gin – is the creation of Emma and her brother, intended to show off the estate's viticultural heritage. Pressed grape skins from winemaking are repurposed to create the Renais base spirit and limit waste (Renais is carbon-neutral and B Corp-certified), before infusing with botanicals showcasing the terroir: linden flowers, grains of paradise (aromatic citrussy, peppery seeds) and acacia honey mingle with juniper. This Grand Cru Cask-Aged gin is then rested for a year in French oak Chablis casks, giving it a divinely silky finish and layer upon layer of vanilla-spiced complexity. It felt sacrilegious to mix this into supermarket tonic, so I'd suggest trying the Renais Old Fashioned. Only 720 bottles were produced for the UK market, so be quick. Gordon's London Dry gin, 1l £25.50 at Waitrose Cellar£20.50 at Amazon When you want a classic gin and tonic with no surprises or messing around, it's hard to beat the refreshing taste of Gordon's and tonic. It's deservedly the category leader in gin, and the one many top bartenders reach for when mixing a G&T (they also invariably recommend Schweppes tonic – and never slimline). Made since 1769, its juniper-forward recipe is crisp, citrussy and the quintessential example of a London dry gin, winning it a swathe of spirit industry medals and a Great Taste award too. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Edinburgh Gin Seaside, 70cl £35 at John Lewis£30.95 at Master of Malt I'm a sucker for a coastal gin – they have a more obvious sense of provenance than some others. This coastal dry gin from Edinburgh Gin (now the UK's seventh-biggest gin brand) is abundant with bladderwrack seaweed and Scottish marine plants, and well balanced with spiciness from coriander seed and cardamom. Subtle breezy seaside flavours emerge in a gin and tonic, but the natural saline tang of this gin makes an epic dirty martini. Honourable mentions to the entire Salcombe Gin range, Fishers Original Gin and Skagerrak Nordic Dry, who also deserve a place on your bar cart. Cotswold Dry Gin Essence, 100ml £17.50 at Master of Malt£18.50 at Cotswolds Distillery I love the standard higher-alcohol Cotswold Dry gin – a worthy Great Taste award winner with its natural woodiness, zingy grapefruit, lime and fresh floral flavours of Cotswold lavender – but I love the Cotswold Gin Essence version even more. Housed in a cute 100ml apothecary-style bottle with pipette, just five drops of this concentrated botanical essence in 200ml of tonic makes for a lighter but equally satisfying serve, with just 14 calories, 0.23 units of alcohol and all the natural flavour intact. If you like this approach, Hayman's Small gin is also delicious – and comes with an adorable thimble for measuring out your gin. Bathtub Gin Grapefruit & Rosemary, 70cl £34.95 at Master of Malt£34.45 at Amazon Flavoured gin has a well-deserved bad reputation. From bizarre juniper-jarring flavours to synthetic ingredients, there are plenty of bad examples to fall foul of. But not Bathtub's Grapefruit & Rosemary: here, the natural botanical components of Bathtub Gin – which already has a punchy herbaceous citrus profile – are amplified by the extra infusion, so the bold grapefruit is extra zesty and the rosemary greener and more woodsy. This gin is creamy, vibrant and perfect for a G&T, with a sprig of rosemary and a dried grapefruit slice. (Agnes Arber's Pineapple gin and Sipsmith's Chilli & Lime Gin were close runners-up in this category.) Still GIN, 70cl £31.25 at the Whisky Exchange£34.99 at Master of Malt You're allowed to be sceptical about Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre making a gin – but brilliantly, it's decent. Designed to be smooth enough to drink straight up (though surely they'd approve of some juice), this is a very gentle, harmonious gin, with a soft balance of orange citrus fruit, jasmine flower and angelica root, dialling down on the juniper. It's copper pot-stilled, which distils more slowly and evenly – accounting for the extra smoothness. I genuinely enjoyed sipping it straight with plenty of ice (go for bigger ice cubes to avoid dilution) and a garnish of orange peel. Hendrick's gin, 70cl £33 at Waitrose Cellar£25.98 at Amazon Is Hendrick's unusual? Not so much these days, now craft gins are doing all sorts of things – but it was one of the first to do things a bit differently. The brand still occupies this space, and it does it well. Hendrick's is made in an unusual way too: two base spirits are created in different stills – one rich, one delicate – before both are infused with classic gin botanicals, along with less classic ingredients such as chamomile, elderflower and cubeb berries (like allspice). The spirits are then blended and steeped in rose and cucumber, which provide the prominent top notes of the finished product. The original serve – with tonic and sliced cucumber – continues to hold up, and is still the most refreshing G&T for summer. Joanne Gould is a food, drink and lifestyle writer with a decade of experience. As well as enthusiastically eating her way through London's best bars and restaurants, she's also a keen home cook and can often be found trying a new recipe or kitchen gadget, while taste-testing anything from South African wines to speciality coffee or scotch. Luckily, she also enjoys walking, running and keeping fit and healthy in her spare time – for balance
Forbes
17-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Come For The Rosé, Stay For The Proprietary Gin At This Luxe Provençal Hotel
Coquillade Provence First opened in 2008 in the Luberon region of southeastern France, Coquillade Provence has long embodied the quintessential scenes of the destination. Sprawling lavender fields, vineyards growing grapes for the region's famed rosé and ensuite plunge pools to enjoy the plentiful sunny days. Still, after a property-wide renovation in 2021, Matthieu Nectoux, food and beverage manager for Coquillade Provence, noticed the local spirits scene felt 'somewhat limited' especially as it pertained to their bar offerings (despite offering their estate wines). 'Our goal was to become a local reference with one of the most refined selections, featuring both rare and exceptional bottles,' shared Nectoux. This undertaking led Nectoux to seek a proprietary partnership with a local producer, of which they discovered Agora, a distillery in Carpentras, and Théo Gabriel. Originally a beer brewer, whose creations Coquillade Provence features exclusively on their menus, Nectoux said it was a natural fit 'not only for the exceptional quality of their products and expertise, but also due to a personal connection—we are both trained sommeliers,' he said. The duo teamed up to create a customary gin for Coquillade Provence, using the region's Pyrenean spring water and hops from the Drôme at the distillery's Mont Ventoux locale (an area rich in botanicals like citrus and cedar). 'The gin captures a true sense of place,' said Nectoux of the 'sun-kissed' Coquillade Gin that features seven local aromatic herbs. 'The first blend was perfect—no adjustments were needed.' Below, Nectoux shared more about the connection between gin and Coquillade Provence's guests as well as the nuances that make their gin so unique to their property. Coquillade Gin is the hotel's proprietary spirit. Coquillade Provence Jillian Dara: What about the gin is most unique to the hotel brand and the Provence property? Matthieu Nectoux: It's a family story—ours and theirs—linked by Mont Ventoux. The mountain, beloved by cyclists and dear to our late founder Andy Rihs, is a powerful symbol that connects the gin to the spirit of our hotel. JD: What is the most unique botanical used? What does it add to the gin? MN: Cedar. Found throughout the Provençal mountains, it adds a raw, resinous scent—comforting and reminiscent of childhood. It's bold, but balanced by citrus and seven aromatic herbs (our secret blend). JD: Does the hotel offer a proprietary way to experience the gin onsite? MN: Yes. Our signature cocktail, the Fragrance Wellness , combines our gin with jasmine oleo saccharum, Club Maté, rose and juniper bitters, and lemon—served post-treatment in our spa. We also age Negronis in a five-liter oak barrel using our gin, and soon we'll offer tasting sessions comparing it to others. Guests are also encouraged to visit Théo's distillery. Bar Coquillade THOMAS EUGSTER JD: Can you explain the unique presentation of the bottle? MN: Our gin is presented in its original bottle; however, we have modified the label. The upper right and left corners of the label feature wooden ornaments that echo the octagonal woodwork decorating our bar, as a nod to our magnificent bar. The flowers on the label are a reference to the seven botanicals used in crafting the gin. The chosen color is inspired by lavender, a symbol of Provence, which blooms in our fields from mid-June to mid-July every year. We wanted to highlight this iconic element, but also chose it because the soft hue fits perfectly with the overall concept. JD: Why do you think it's important to offer this type of amenity for guests MN: It creates a lasting, place-based memory—something guests can only experience here (or take home). Like our estate wines, the gin captures a true sense of place. Also, gin is a spirit highly appreciated by our guests, whether in a gin and tonic or as part of a cocktail. This enthusiasm inspired us to embark on the project. JD: Do you see a shift in guest demand when it comes to bar offerings? MN: Absolutely. Guests want authenticity and discovery—like Petit Grain gin, created by a former teacher and voted best in France. Still, iconic premium spirits remain relevant for those drawn to familiarity. Our aim is to blend both worlds.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Nelson's Gin business put up for sale after death of founder
A gin company has been put up for sale, having entered Distillery & School Ltd, which was established in 2016 by former chef Neil Harrison, operates from premises in Uttoxeter, business sale includes the company's fully equipped distillery and a 14-station gin business suffered "operational disruption" in March after the death of founder Neil Harrison, according to administrator Martin Williamson. "Despite recent setbacks, the core offer remains strong due to its production infrastructure and unique gin recipes to its customer base and tourism accolades," Mr Williamson said he was appointed on 9 July after a formal review of the business in said it rose to prominence with its flagship London Dry No 7 gin and Signature Blend firm has a strong digital presence, brand recognition, and proven retail appeal, Mr Williamson has also produced private-label spirits for high-profile chefs and restaurants, including collaborations with Michele Roux and La business owns a number of UK trademarks and recipes for its gins and rums, which would transfer to the Williamson said he needed to conclude a sale by 31 July, and all expressions of interest must be received by 17:00 BST on 21 July. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
