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Business NOK NOK WHO’s THERE? BEST COCKTAIL BAR IN QUEENSLAND Tucked into the back of Fortitude Valley, Nok Nok is not big, not overbuilt, and not padded out with the kind of budget that usually gets the industry clapping before the first drink hits the bar. It is a small, sharply run pocket venue powered by two people who are partners in life, partners in… By Hayden Wood · 18 April 2026 Business LADY TRIỆU & NHẬU VODKA LAUNCH AUSTRALIAN MARKET WITH BAR TAKEOVER PROGRAM To mark the official entry of Lady Triệu Gin and Nhậu Vodka into the Australian market, the brands launched an ambitious national Bar Takeover program across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, inviting bartenders to do more than simply pour the spirits, but to interpret them. The concept was simple but bold: participating venues were asked to… By Hayden Wood · 22 February 2026 Business How to Counterfeit Liquor and Why It Works (Hint: Because No One’s Stopping You) Let’s be honest — if counterfeiting liquor were a sport, Southeast Asia would be the Olympic Games. It’s been going on for decades, and lately, it’s entered the digital age like a kid with a new iPhone. Labels? AI can replicate them in an afternoon. Bottles? Cheaper than chips from glass plants who don’t ask… By Hayden Wood · 15 August 2025 Business When Your Brand Becomes the Headline: Death by Counterfeit Alcohol Picture this: you’re halfway through your morning coffee when your phone lights up. News alerts. Three people in Cambodia are dead. Two more in ICU. The drink that killed them? Something with your label on it Except it wasn’t yours_____ Welcome to the nightmare every spirits and wine producer hopes never to face — your… By Hayden Wood · 13 August 2025 Business If You Thought Excise Tax Was High, Now You Know Why If you thought excise tax on spirits in Australia was just padding the government’s health budget, think again. Illicit alcohol is chewing through our tax base like termites in a whisky barrel, and it’s not just a “somewhere else” problem. It’s here, in our own backyard, and it’s big business. Whisky bottle close-up with counterfeit… By Hayden Wood · 12 August 2025 Business Top 5 Beverage Industry Trends to Watch in 2025 The beverage industry is evolving at lightning speed, driven by shifting consumer preferences and innovative product development. From the rise of health-conscious options to the premiumisation of spirits, here are the top five trends that will shape the drinks market in 2025. 1. Health-Conscious Drinks: The Rise of Rice Whisky Why It Matters: The global… By Hayden Wood · 4 March 2025 Business The Art of Maximising Bar Profit: A Conversation with Joel McDermott, GM of Potts Point Hotel When you think of the Potts Point Hotel, you likely think of an institution in Sydney’s bustling nightlife scene. But behind every pint poured and cocktail served is a master of profit—Joel McDermott. As the General Manager and Licensee, Joel’s expertise in managing waste, optimising profitability, and navigating the complex world of promotions makes him… By Hayden Wood · 5 December 2024 Business Celebrating Christmas with Tradition and Luxury After years of working in China and alongside Chinese communities here in Australia, I’ve come to understand the unique blend of tradition and modernity that many Chinese people hold dear. One of the most treasured gifts for Chrismas in Chinese Culture is Hakka Rice Wine. It’s a love for celebrating in style—whether it’s luxury fashion,… By Hayden Wood · 9 November 2024 Business George Clooney and Casamigos As one of the ‘90s biggest screen heartthrobs, George Clooney has enjoyed his fair share of partying and boozing throughout the years. So much so that George credits one of the greatest bits of advice he ever received to his aunt. who told him at the age of 7 “Don’t miss the grape and the… By Hayden Wood · 24 September 2024 Business P-Diddy and Cîroc Endorsement Disaster I’m not going to get into deep detail about the lengthy list of horrific charges and accusations the producer, rapper, fashion designer, and brand owner Sean John “Diddy” Combs is facing, because after all – you’ve decided to read this article for a little bit of light entertainment. Perhaps you wanted a puff piece (pun… By Conor Charlton · 9 September 2024 Business AC/DC Shook Tequila All Night Long Legendary rock band AC/DC shocks fans and industry alike with their electrifying new venture into premium tequila, proving they’re still thunderstruck after all these years. Partnering with Amber Beverage Group, they’ve launched Thunderstruck Tequila, proving once again that these rock legends are far from slowing down. Here is where it becomes intriguing. Along with Amber… By Conor Charlton · 7 September 2024 Business How The Pandemic Transformed Liquor Retail When COVID-19 began, it was the end of the era we lived in for most of it. For most retailers, it was when they realised buyers would only be able to enter their shop for a short time. Many businesses remained closed, but we didn’t know it brought a new change. The change was going… By Hayden Wood · 3 September 2024 Business Champagne Supernova 2.0: Oasis Reunion Sparks Nostalgia & Sobriety Iconic Britpop band Oasis teases a possible reunion after 15 years, fans are left wondering—how will the famously wild Gallagher brothers navigate their next chapter? From drunken brawls to sober reflections. It’s ➊➒➒➏, and I’m squeezed into a hot mosh pit at Knebworth with a pint of warm beer spilling over my palm as Oasis… By Evelyn Harrington · 31 August 2024 Business Beyoncé & Cowboy Carter launch LVMH Sir Davis Whisky ♯In an unexpected twist, pop icon Beyoncé has partnered with Moët Hennessy to launch Sir Davis, a premium whisky that’s already turning heads in the spirits industry. Whisky enthusiasts are buzzing not just with the star power but also with the story, craftsmanship, and unquestionable quality of this beverage. Beyoncé’s most recent tour promised amazing… By Evelyn Harrington · 30 August 2024 Business Madonna’s Cocktail Craze and Celebrity Endorsements Madonna doesn’t own a liquor brand, but her cocktail preferences and endorsement deals have made her a significant figure in the drinks industry. Here’s how she did it. 🙆 When you think of Madonna, the first thing that might come to me is her trailblazing musical career, bold fashion choices, or maybe her pop genre… By Evelyn Harrington · 29 August 2024 Business “The Rock” Wrestling Rings to Tequila Lip Sip Sucks The journey of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his Terremana tequila brand. Discover the history, the inspiration behind his venture, and how this larger-than-life personality has shaken up the spirits industry. On a Friday night, I find myself at the Masters of Malt liquor shop, standing right next to a bottle that has The Rock’s… By Evelyn Harrington · 28 August 2024 Business Deadpool to Gin Pool: How Reynolds Conquered Gin Find out why this Canadian joker entered the industry of alcohol, the brand's unique charm, and its ripple effects on both Hollywood and the liquor industry. Ryan Reynolds and his unexpected trip into the alcohol business with Aviation Gin is an adventure much like flying an aircraft for the first time. ❒ Around 2006, Portland,… By Evelyn Harrington · 26 August 2024 Business What Is Pushing Liquor To Engage Differently Do we really need another cocktail competition or do we really need to just spend less and care more… By Hayden Wood · 29 July 2024 Business How to Sell Booze in a Recession As a liquor producer, you’re no stranger to the multitude of challenges that the industry presents. The tasks can seem daunting, from devising effective marketing strategies to handling distribution, logistics, and organising events. By Hayden Wood · 3 July 2024 Business Why Does Good Whisky Cost So Much These Days? Premium Whisky & Bourbon are the heartbeat of eCommerce but does anyone really have time for the digital jungle that is multi-channel? We do. Brand companies are increasingly turning to us to help unlock opportunities in this often difficult to manage market landscape. By Hayden Wood · 18 May 2024 Business The Sticky Rice Whisky Debate As Pearl Red are the first to produce Rice Whisky in China, the regulators of the SC Code program are building a new ‘Rice Whisky’ category based on the new product Grand Talon rice whisky has created. By Hayden Wood · 4 March 2024 Business World-Class Whisky: Does China Have Role To Play Beyond Drinking It? Yet, as we explore the world of whisky, we often think of modern Australian distilleries, new-world New Zealand artisan spirit makers and small town American spirit houses, but, the question remains like a fine whisky aroma—why not China? By Hayden Wood · 18 January 2024 Cocktail Celebrate World Cocktail Month 2024 If you haven’t already been advised by your social constituents, May is World Cocktail Month. This is the month when the world celebrates the shake, rattle and roll of spirits, tipples and tinctures to form a sum greater than its parts. A time where we raise a glass in celebration of all things luxurious, deluxe… By Hayden Wood · 1 May 2022 Business What is The Difference Between Bourbon and American Whiskey While bourbon is a type of American Whiskey, it possesses unique characteristics that set it apart. Enthusiasts have delved into its profile, flavour, ageing process, and production methods to understand its distinctiveness. Its sweeter taste, due to the unique combination of Kentucky’s natural resources, sets it apart from other whiskeys. This uniqueness makes bourbon a… By Hayden Wood · 15 March 2022 Business How the Pandemic Transformed Liquor Wholesale Hastened by the global pandemic, online wholesale ordering has quickly become the number one resource for almost everything you can buy in liquor. But where there is digital, we all need a real human. With the convenience and simplicity of online ordering, it’s no wonder all the major wholesalers now have a marketplace model. The… By Hayden Wood · 8 August 2021