The 2026 Spirits & Distilling annual issueis here, exploring the ideas, ingredients, and techniques shaping spirits today. From changing drinking habits and globally inspired flavors to botanical experimentation and smarter production, this edition offers fresh perspectives for making distinctive spirits and navigating an evolving market.
Highlights include:
Trends & Opportunities:Explore the social trends reshaping the bar scene, the rise of savory cocktails, premium packaging, and the growing opportunity for flavorful mid-strength spirits.
Asian Inspiration:Discover how traditions and techniques from Japan and Korea—from koji and shochu to soju and single-malt whiskey—are inspiring a new generation of spirits.
Building with Botanicals:Take a deeper look at botanical R&D, absinthe, amaro, gin formulation, and vacuum distillation for creating unique flavor profiles.
Crafting Better Spirits:Dig into forecasting, haze, chill filtration, rapid maturation, and creative approaches to cask finishing.
Unique Ingredients:See how distillers are working with tea and honey to bring new layers of flavor, texture, and complexity to their spirits.
Written for distillers, bartenders, and curious spirits enthusiasts, this new edition combines practical production knowledge with fresh ideas and inspiration to help you explore what’s next in craft spirits.
