And Chase Distillery in the Welsh borders made headlines not long ago when its potato-based vodka, sold at swanky bars around the world, stole the honours at this year's World Spirits Competition in San Francisco.

ECONOMIST: Start-ups are shaking up an old and staid industry

That in turn allowed start-ups such as Anchor Distilling (whisky and gin) and Hangar One (vodka), both based in San Francisco, to take on the big boys.

ECONOMIST: Start-ups are shaking up an old and staid industry

Sales of ready-to-drink products based on Smirnoff vodka fell 25% in continental Europe and 19% in the UK during the year to June.

BBC: NEWS | Business | Ready-to-drink hopes boost Diageo

Tuthilltown Spirits, a New York-based company that makes vodka, whiskey and gin, expects to produce around 8, 000 cases this year.

ECONOMIST: American beer and spirits