TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2025 /CNW/ - Chivas Regal, the world-renowned luxury Scotch whisky, today announces a global partnership with visionary Indian couturier Gaurav Gupta. This dynamic collaboration sees a distinctly styled limited-edition design for Chivas Regal 12 Year Old, launching for Diwali and the festive season.

A fusion of luxury whisky and cutting-edge fashion, the two legendary houses, Gupta and Chivas Regal, have joined forces to co-create a world inspiring people to create new paths, challenge old conventions and play by their own rules. This limited edition is a meticulously crafted work of art embodying Gupta's signature sculptural aesthetic, which is also known for creating magic on iconic red carpets like The Oscars, The Emmy's, The Grammy's, and at Cannes in collaboration with global culturalists like Beyonce, Cardi B, Lizzo, Megan Thee Stallion, Maluma, Fan Bingbing, Aishwarya Rai and Deepika Padukone.

To celebrate the global launch on October 16, Gupta will be in Toronto for a series of special appearances marking the collaboration's Canadian debut. On Saturday October 18, Gupta will host a meet-and-greet and bottle signing at the LCBO (545 Steeles Ave East, Brampton), where fans can discover the limited-edition bottles in person. Guests will enjoy personalized bottle engravings and guided tastings from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., with Gupta appearing between 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for photos and bottle signings. That evening, Chivas Regal and Gupta will raise a glass at an exclusive VIP launch party, bringing together more than 50 guests from the fashion, media, and lifestyle communities. From stylish industry insiders to cultural tastemakers, the event will celebrate the shared artistry, craftsmanship, and innovation that unite both brands - a fitting toast to the spirit of modern luxury.

The Chivas Regal 12 Year Old x Gaurav Gupta Limited Edition is captivating in its elegance, with a presentation box that features a sophisticated silver aesthetic. Its lighter, ethereal design creates a striking contrast and makes it a modern classic reimagined, offering a fresh perspective on the timeless Chivas Regal 12 experience.

Nick Blacknell, Global Marketing Director at Chivas Regal commented: "Our collaboration with Gaurav Gupta demonstrates our shared commitment to excellence and innovation. Gaurav's unique vision and his ability to blend culture, art and modern luxury perfectly aligns with Chivas Regal's ambition of inspiring a new generation of whisky drinkers, whilst redefining what luxury means today. His commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation perfectly embodies the Chivas Regal 'I Rise We Rise' ethos and belief in driving things forward. This partnership is a vibrant celebration of bold creativity, bridging heritage with a visionary future."

Couturier Gaurav Gupta commented: "Collaborating with Chivas Regal has been an incredible journey of creative synergy. These limited editions extend my design philosophy of transcending boundaries, blending Chivas Regal's rich heritage with modern, artistic expression. I believe they will resonate deeply with fashion and whisky lovers. I have visualised three unique characters in the limited-edition design, each representing a value I see as key to infinite personal growth. The Winged Panther represents freedom, The Serpent is a symbol of infinite possibility, and Illumination represents the light of wisdom. My aim was to capture the liquid's dynamism and infuse my 'future primitive' aesthetic, making each bottle a collectible piece of art."

Launching globally on October 16, 2025, the Chivas Regal 12 Year Old x Gaurav Gupta Limited Edition will be available at select LCBO stores.

For more information, follow @chivasregal on social media or visit chivas.com.

BARDSTOWN, Ky., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the inaugural release of the Heaven Hill Grain to Glass^® Specialty Barrel Series, an extension of its acclaimed Grain to Glass line. This new series builds on the tradition of quality, sustainability, and craft that has defined the family-owned distillery since 1935, while showcasing the artistry of barrel selection and maturation.

The 2025 Specialty Barrel Series features three Kentucky Whiskeys—Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, and Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey—each fully aged for six years in Chinquapin Oak barrels hand selected by Heaven Hill's distilling team in collaboration with Independent Stave Company. These unique barrels impart distinctive characteristics, delivering a rich and innovative dimension to the beloved Grain to Glass mashbills.

Honoring Legacy, Innovation, and Partnership

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass begins with a single seed. Each year, Heaven Hill partners with Beck's Hybrids, a family-owned seed company in Indiana, to identify a corn varietal ideally suited for Central Kentucky soils. For the 2025 release, Beck's 6225 was chosen and grown by multi-generational, family-run Peterson Farms in Nelson County, Ky.—just across the road from Heaven Hill's Bardstown campus.

"Since the founding of Heaven Hill, our family has remained committed to looking at the long term, building products and partnerships meant to endure," said Max Shapira, Heaven Hill Executive Chairman. "The Specialty Barrel Series reflects both innovation and transparency, extending our Grain to Glass vision while honoring the legacy that defines our distillery."

The Influence of Chinquapin Oak

Unlike the Traditional Grain to Glass releases, which are aged in #3 char white oak barrels, the Specialty Barrel Series explores new dimensions of maturation. For this inaugural release, the whiskeys were fully aged in Chinquapin Oak, a distinct species of American white oak native to Central and Eastern North America. Known for its higher vanillin content, Chinquapin Oak imparts butterscotch, crème brûlée, toasted nut, chocolate, and coffee notes, creating a bold mouthfeel and layered finish.

"Selecting Chinquapin Oak for the first Specialty Barrel Series was an exciting opportunity to deepen our exploration of wood and whiskey," said Conor O'Driscoll, Heaven Hill Master Distiller. "These barrels highlight the interplay between grain and oak in a way that elevates the mashbills, allowing each whiskey's character to shine at barrel proof."

Expressions in the 2025 Specialty Barrel Series

• Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 105 proof Mashbill: 52% Corn, 35% Rye, 13% Malt
• Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey – 105 proof Mashbill: 52% Corn, 35% Wheat, 13% Malt
• Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey – 107 proof Mashbill: 63% Rye, 24% Corn, 13% Malt

Each expression was barreled at 107 proof, honoring the historic entry proof used by Heaven Hill's founders, and bottled non-chill filtered at selected proofs to preserve the bold, distinctive flavors imparted by the Chinquapin Oak.

The 2025 Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Specialty Barrel Series is an allocated release available nationally beginning in November 2025 in limited quantities at an MSRP of $129.99. Each is offered in a 700ml bespoke bottle proudly embossed with "Family Owned Since 1935."  The bottle features jewel-toned labels unique to each mashbill, a gold-coin cork insert, and a tax strip calling out the Chinquapin Oak barrels. In keeping with the brand's focus on transparency, each label also details the corn varietal, mashbill, and distillation and release years, complemented by custom illustrations that nod to Bernheim Distillery and Kentucky's farming traditions.

Recent Awards & Accolades

The Grain to Glass line has garnered widespread recognition in the past year:

• Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon was a Double Gold winner at the 2024 SIP Awards and a Best of Class finalist at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• At the 2025 World Whiskies Awards, Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon earned Gold, while the Grain to Glass Rye Whiskey was named Best American Rye.
• Grain to Glass Bourbon was ranked #5 on Whisky Advocate's Top 20 Whiskies of 2024, earning a score of 94.

These whiskeys reflect Heaven Hill's dedication to transparency, family values, and whiskey-making excellence from seed to sip. For more information, visit:

NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sake ONO, the modern Sake brand bridging timeless craft and contemporary taste, proudly launches Sake ONO RARE, its first release beyond the flagship Junmai Daiginjo. Crafted in collaboration with the historic, family-owned Koshimeijo brewery in Niigata, Japan, this 2025 Vintage marks a defining moment for the evolution of premium Sake.

With only 12,000 bottles produced worldwide, Sake ONO RARE is a perfect marriage of two rare Junmai Daiginjos harmonized for 8 months. This limited-edition assemblage was created to showcase the artistry of Sake at the highest level.

"With Sake ONO RARE, we're positioning Sake at the level of the world's most coveted wines and spirits while redefining what the category can be," said Lana Buchanan, Sake ONO CEO. "This assemblage is meant to be savored and remembered, a bold and unforgettable step into Sake's next era."

Featuring the rare Ipponjime rice – once overproduced to extinction and now one of the rarest varieties grown locally – alongside Gohyakumangoku, a classic Niigata rice varietal, two meticulously selected yeast strains, and snowmelt-pure water gathered from the top of Mount Sumon, the expression reveals a distinctive, layered flavor profile that evolves sip by sip. Sake ONO RARE embraces the art of assemblage brewing – a complex, skillful process of blending separately brewed Sakes in precise proportions, long associated with fine wine and spirits.

Experience Sake ONO RARE as a journey in five sips, each one unfolding like a story revealing layers of depth and complexity:

• Sip 1: Clean and light – notes of green apple, fresh cream and muscat grape
• Sip 2: Bright and balanced – notes of banana, mochi, and white peach
• Sip 3: Harmonious and layered – notes of almond skin, acacia flower, ripe apricot
• Sip 4: Round and savory – notes of chestnut, cocoa, and shiitake
• Sip 5: Bold and umami – notes of roasted hazelnut, sweet cream, and toasted sesame

Founded in 1845 and family-owned for over 175 years, Koshimeijo brewery is located in the Japanese Alps in Niigata Prefecture and is renowned for its ultra-small batch production and over 30 years of expertise in assemblage blending. The collaboration with Sake ONO reaffirms the brewery's role as one of Japan's most revered producers, while reimagining what Sake can be for a new generation of collectors and connoisseurs.

Designed to be enjoyed chilled in a Burgundy Glass, each sip evokes a new sensation with no two moments the same. Limited in number but rich in experience, RARE invites drinkers to own a piece of craftsmanship at its pinnacle while discovering a Sake unlike anything they've ever tasted. Sake ONO RARE is available now at select retailers and online (MSRP: $250). To find Sake ONO near you, visit  or follow on Instagram.

LONDON, Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The list of The World's 50 Best Bars 2025, sponsored by Perrier, was revealed this evening at a live awards ceremony in Hong Kong. The annual event once again united the global bar community for its 17^th edition in recognition of the outstanding achievements of their peers.

The World's 50 Best Bars 2025 features venues from 29 cities globally, with Hong Kong's Bar Leone named The World's Best Bar 2025 and The Best Bar in Asia 2025, sponsored by Perrier. The achievement marks the first time a bar in Asia has taken the No.1 position.

Nestled in Hong Kong's vibrant Central district, Bar Leone is the brainchild of renowned bartender Lorenzo Antinori, whose storied resume encompasses some of Europe and Asia's most beloved hotel bars, including London's American Bar at The Savoy and Dandelyan (now defunct). Built on the philosophy of 'cocktail popolari' – or 'cocktails for the people' – Bar Leone pays tribute to the neighbourhood bars of Rome, where locals gather for coffee, aperitivi and casual conversation. The interior is a love letter to the city in the 1980s and '90s and is designed to be approachable, unpretentious and deeply rooted in Italian culture and hospitality.

A Roman by birth, Antinori's goal was to strip away the complexity of modern mixology and return to simple, high-quality drinks, served with warmth and precision. As such, the cocktail menu comes in the form of a rotating Google Docs file, updated monthly and including the full recipe and method to ensure each drink is fully accessible to everyone. Bar Leone opened in June 2023 and quickly rose to fame, making its debut on the world stage the following year at No.1 on the list of Asia's 50 Best Bars 2024 and No.2 in The World's 50 Best Bars 2024, both unrivalled feats. Earlier this year, it was once again named The Best Bar in Asia at Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025.

Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World's 50 Best Bars, says: "It is such a delight to unveil Bar Leone as The World's Best Bar 2025, sponsored by Perrier. Not only is this remarkable achievement the first time a bar from Asia has claimed the top spot but it is a dazzling testament to the commitment of Lorenzo and the entire Bar Leone team to redefining hospitality excellence. We are deeply honoured to spotlight the extraordinary diversity of the global bar landscape in 2025 and we raise a glass to every bar that has earned their place in this year's list. With more cocktail capitals represented than ever before, this ranking continues to serve as a vibrant compass for curious drinkers and passionate explorers alike – igniting wanderlust and raising the bar for cocktail culture across the globe."

London leads in Europe again, but Eastern cities shine through for the first time

Of the 23 bars in Europe, London continues its reign as the region's cocktail capital with four bars: Tayēr + Elementary at No.5, Connaught Bar at No.6, Satan's Whiskers at No.21 and Scarfes Bar at No.31. They are joined by Edinburgh's Panda & Sons at No.34.

The title of The Best Bar in Europe, sponsored by Monkey Shoulder, is retained for the third time by Barcelona's Sips at No.3 as co-founder Simone Caporale is awarded the Roku Industry Icon Award. Paradiso in Barcelona is No.4 with Madrid's Salmon Guru at No.37. Athens continues its ascendancy, with Line at No.8 alongside Baba au Rum, this year's Rémy Martin Legend of the List, at No.27, and new entry The Bar in Front of the Bar at No.47.

Milan's Moebius Milano is the winner of the Nikka Highest Climber Award, having risen an impressive 31 places to No.7. It is joined by 1930 in Milan at No.43, with Florence's Locale Firenze at No.22 and Rome's Drink Kong at No.40. Paris is represented by Bar Nouveau, rising 22 places to No.17, The Cambridge Public House (No.20) and Danico (No.30).

For the first time, bars from Eastern Europe have been ranked in the list of The World's 50 Best Bars, with new entries Mirror Bar in Bratislava at No.25 and Nouvelle Vague in Tirana at No.28. In Scandinavia, Oslo's Himkok (No.14) is joined by another new entry, Svanen at No.32, with Röda Huset in Stockholm at No.35.

New York continues to lead in the Americas, but Mexico City retains The Best Bar in North America

New York City reaffirms its status as North America's cocktail powerhouse, with four bars making this year's list: Superbueno (rising 15 places to No.12) is joined by newcomer Sip & Guzzle (No.39), named this year's Three Cents Best New Opening, alongside Double Chicken Please (No.41) and Overstory (No.46). In New Orleans, Jewel of the South is No.44.

In Mexico City, The Best Bar in North America, sponsored by Amaro Lucano, is Handshake Speakeasy at No.2, with Tlecān, a new entry in 2024, at No.23. Bar Mauro, which placed at No.54 on the extended list of bars ranked 51-100, is the recipient of the Campari One To Watch Award.

The Best Bar in South America, sponsored by Torres Brandy, is once again Buenos Aires' Tres Monos at No.10, with neighbour CoChinChina at No.26. Lima's Lady Bee is No.13 and the recipient of this year's Michter's Art of Hospitality Award, alongside new entry Sastrería Martinez at No.33. Alquímico in Cartagena is No.11 while São Paulo's Tan Tan is No.24.

Hong Kong takes the top spot, and Guangzhou joins the list

With three bars on the list, Tokyo shines in Asia with stalwart Bar Benfiddich (No.18) joined by Virtù at No.45 and new entry The Bellwood at No.48. Host city Hong Kong can celebrate two entries, including Bar Leone at No.1, The Best Bar in Asia and, a first for the continent, The World's Best Bar, alongside Coa at No.38.

Singapore's Jigger & Pony is No.9, with creative director and partner Uno Jang the recipient of this year's Altos Bartenders' Bartender Award, while Nutmeg & Clove is No.50. In Bangkok, Bar Us has risen a remarkable 26 places to No.15 and BKK Social Club is No.49. Seoul's Zest is No.16 with new entry Hope & Sesame the first bar from Guangzhou to feature at No.29. The winner of the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award is Penang's Backdoor Bodega.

The Best Bar in Africa and The Best Bar in the Middle East are named for the first time; Australian venue wins the Best Bar Design Award

Mimi Kakushi in Dubai (No.36) is named The Best Bar in the Middle East, sponsored by Les Vergers Boiron, while Nairobi's Hero Bar has been crowned The Best Bar in Africa, sponsored by Langjiu, after ranking at No.69 in the extended list announced a fortnight ago. This is the first time either accolade has been awarded as part of The World's 50 Best Bars, having previously been presented as The Best Bar in the Middle East and Africa.

At No.19, Melbourne's Caretaker's Cottage retains its title as The Best Bar in Australasia, sponsored by Tia Maria, at No.19, with Sydney's Maybe Sammy at No.42. The Best Bar Design Award is bestowed upon Sydney's Tigra + Disco Pantera.

Special Awards

The ceremony began with a celebration of Bar Mauro in Mexico City as this year's recipient of the Campari One To Watch Award, which reached No.54 on the extended list of bars ranked 51-100, announced two weeks ago. The award recognises a bar that the 50 Best team perceives as having strong potential to join the list of The World's 50 Best Bars in the future. 

This year's winner of the Best Bar Design Award is Tigra + Disco Pantera in Sydney. Two distinct yet complementary spaces created by Scottish brothers Gordon and Ross Purnell, Tigra embraces the vibrant laneway cultures of Barcelona and Tokyo, influenced by Joan Miró's playful modernism, while Disco Pantera channels the retro glamour of 1970s New York, featuring vintage lighting, reclaimed materials and standout elements like a hand-sculpted teak bar front. Together, they offer a vibrant, dual-level experience that reflects a commitment to creative reuse, cultural homage and experiential design, offering guests a multi-sensory journey through art, cocktails and atmosphere. Judged by an esteemed panel of hospitality design experts, bars from anywhere in the world were invited to submit their venues for consideration.

Backdoor Bodega in Penang is awarded the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award for The Backdoor Bodega Guide to Penang. Styled like an indie travel zine, each drink is presented as a narrative entry that spotlight the stories, flavours and landmarks that define their island home, blending personal anecdotes with cultural heritage. The Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award is open to any bar in the world and is judged by the 29 Academy Chairs.

Simone Caporale has been named Roku Industry Icon. Simone Caporale, renowned for his groundbreaking work at Artesian at The Langham – named The World's Best Bar four years in a row – is an award-winning bartender and entrepreneur based in Barcelona. Known for his distinctive style, meticulous attention to detail and innovative approach to hospitality, he co-founded Sips, also crowned The World's Best Bar in 2023, and co-owns Boadas, Barcelona's oldest cocktail bar. In 2025, he launched Montana in Hong Kong with Lorenzo Antinori of Bar Leone, blending the legacy of the Club de los Cantineros with the vibrant spirit of Miami's golden era. His other ventures include co-founding the P(OUR) Symposium, creating the Muyu liqueur range with Alex Kratena and Monica Berg, and serving as Global Brand Ambassador for Amaro Santoni.

Joining the list for the first time at No.25, Bratislava's Mirror Bar is awarded the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award. A sleek cocktail lounge blending nature-inspired design with elegant vintage touches, Mirror Bar serves inventive cocktails that blend world class mixology with visual storytelling.

Sip & Guzzle in New York is named Three Cents Best New Opening as the bar that enters the list in the highest position of any that have opened during the voting period, joining the list at No.39. A bi-level cocktail bar in New York's Greenwich Village, co-founded by Shingo Gokan and Steve Schneider, Sip & Guzzle blends Japanese elegance with New York energy. Upstairs at Guzzle, guests enjoy lively, crushable cocktails in a saloon-style setting, while downstairs at Sip, the mood shifts to a refined Tokyo-inspired speakeasy serving intricate drinks like the Whisky Nigiri.

Milan's Moebius Milano wins the Nikka Highest Climber Award, rising 31 places to No.7. Moebius Milano is a dynamic gastronomic and cultural venue in the heart of Milan, combining a Tapa Bistrot, a fine dining experimental restaurant and a cocktail bar within a renovated textile warehouse. The concept blends culinary innovation, live music and design, offering an immersive experience that reflects the venue's philosophy of continuous transformation.

The honour of the Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award has been bestowed upon Baba au Rum, an award given to a bar that has performed most consistently in the list since its inception. Founded by Thanos Prunarus in 2009, Baba au Rum is a visionary cocktail bar known for its deep appreciation of rum and its role in shaping Greece's modern bar scene.

The Cambridge Public House in Paris has won the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award, based on adjudication by the Sustainable Restaurant Association. The first independent bar to achieve B Corp certification, co-founders Hugo Gallou and Hyacinthe Lescoët have driven lasting change beyond sustainable mixology through a series of creative initiatives, including adopting six United Nations goals to support global communities through The Cambridge Community Plan and the launch of Shaken Leaf, a platform empowering bartenders worldwide to adopt sustainable practices.

Other special award winners, announced in the run-up to the awards on 8 October, include Uno Jang, winner of the Altos Bartenders' Bartender Award, and Lady Bee, Lima, named the winner of the Michter's Art of Hospitality Award.