TORONTO, Sept. 16, 2025 /CNW/ - This fall, Toronto becomes the epicentre of cocktail culture, proudly hosting the world's most prestigious cocktail competition for the first time. From September 27 to October 2, 2025, the Diageo World Class Global Final will bring together leading bartending talent from over 50 countries around the world to compete for the title of World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2025. With four global winners, Canada is the best-performing nation in the competition's history.

"Hosting the World Class Global Final in Toronto is a true milestone moment for Canada's cocktail community," says Michael Armistead, National On Premise, Reserve & Sponsorship Manager at Diageo Canada. "This is our chance to show the world the calibre of talent, innovation, and hospitality that defines our country. With its world-renowned hospitality scene and rich, multicultural culinary landscape, Toronto offers the perfect stage to spotlight the craft, creativity, and culture of modern bartending and hospitality. We're excited to bring the World Class experience to Canadians nationwide."

By shining a spotlight on the moment every year when cocktails take centre-stage, the Global World Class Finals inspire people around the world to experience cocktails in a new way, through best-in-class creations made with some of the world's most famous spirits. The competition unites tastemakers, up-and-coming bartending talent, and best-in-class luxury spirits from Diageo's extensive portfolio, inspiring people to drink better — not more — and savour unforgettable experiences. With a 16-year legacy of championing over 500,000 bartenders, World Class offers year-round training, mentorship, and a global stage. More than a showcase, World Class captures how cocktails have evolved into a reflection of culture, creativity and regionality through the voices of bartenders from over 50 markets globally. 

This year's Global Finals will see the world's best bartenders compete in a series of rigorous challenges designed to test the five pillars of a World Class bartender: hosting, craft, flavour analysis, knowledge, and World Class advocacy. Over the course of the week, competitors will be pushed to demonstrate precision, creativity, and storytelling, all while showcasing their mastery of iconic Diageo Reserve brands such as Johnnie Walker, Don Julio, Ketel One, and Tanqueray No. TEN. Set against the backdrop of Canada's vibrant hospitality scene, the World Class Global Finals will be a celebration of the people that are the beating heart of the hospitality industry, who have their finger on the pulse with the trends of today, tomorrow and the future.

To toast this milestone, Diageo World Class will roll out a jam-packed lineup of immersive cocktail experiences across Canada - a nationwide celebration that brings World Class bartending directly to Canadians from coast to coast. This is an opportunity to hear how the people that are the beating heart of the hospitality industry have built outstanding careers in one of the most exciting and creative industries and understand how World Class has supported them along the way.

Highlights Include:

• September 24 to October 3– World Class Festival Roadshow: World Class excitement goes cross-country as international talent teams up with top Canadian bartenders to host unforgettable nights in Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, and Halifax.

Toronto Events Spotlight:

• September 26 to October 2 – World Class Global Final: Set against the iconic Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto, this week-long celebration will include cocktail labs, curated tasting events, and exclusive guest shifts by top international bartenders. Whether you're a cocktail novice or seasoned mixologist, this is an unmissable experience.

To find out more about World Class festivities and opportunities to experience the excitement firsthand, consumers can visit , and follow and on Instagram. You can also use the hashtag #WorldClass and visit on YouTube.

When experimenting with your own mixology skills or enjoying award-winning cocktails from your favourite local bartender, World Class reminds you to drink responsibly.

COLLINGWOOD, ON, Sept. 16, 2025 /CNW/ - From September 19 – 26, cideries across Ontario will celebrate the apple harvest with exclusive cider releases, live entertainment, giveaways and more. Follow the Craft Cider Trail, taste the variety of tart-to-sweet apples not commonly found in grocery stores, and sample the best of craft cider from apples grown right here in Ontario.

Ontario Craft Cider Week and the Craft Cider Trail are part of the Drink ON Apples™ promotional program with support from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. The program and its logo help consumers identify local cider that's produced from 100% Ontario-grown apples.  

In addition to cider, look for on-site farm markets selling fresh pies, jams and other goodies. Many farms also offer activities for families with younger kids, such as corn mazes and playgrounds. Be sure to dress for a rural experience and check hours of operation, farm fees, cider availability, reservations, and pet policies before visiting.

"Harvest season is always a busy time for our producers; still, it's inspiring to see their energy and enthusiasm as they open their orchards and share their bounty through so many events and activities. This spirit of welcome is at the heart of Craft Cider Week, and we encourage everyone to raise a glass and celebrate Ontario apples."

— Janice Ruddock, Executive Director, Ontario Craft Cider Association

Highlights of Craft Cider Week

• Orchard Tours – Explore cideries like Heartwood Farm & Cidery (Erin) or West Avenue Cider House (Freelton) and learn about award-winning orchards while sampling fresh ciders.
• Local Food & Pop-Ups – From food trucks at Heeman's (London) to Texas-style BBQ at Woodfolk (Coldwater), cider and local eats pair perfectly.
• Live Entertainment – Vieni Estates (Beamsville) hosts Sip & Cider with live music; Twin Pines (Thedford) celebrates Apple-Fest with music, wood-fired pizza, cider donuts and more.
• Family Fun – Enjoy fall attractions like corn mazes at Applewood Farm (Seagrave), ziplines at Great Lakes Farms (Port Stanley), or cranberry bog wagon rides at Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery (Bala).
• Pick Your Own – Apple-picking and cider sampling at Brantview (St. George), Archibald's Estate Winery (Bowmanville), and other farms across Ontario.
• Elevated Experiences – Sample artisan pairings at Loch Mór (Prince Edward County), explore art and cider at Ironwood (Niagara-on-the-Lake).

Keep an eye out for the Drink ON Apples Can Van tour to participate in fun games and giveaways throughout the week, full event details and a list of participating cideries, can be found at

Ontario Craft Cider Week will be officially launched by Brian Saunderson the Member of Provincial Parliament, for the district of Simcoe Grey where over 50% of Ontario's orchards are located. MPP Saunderson will share remarks at the launch event scheduled for Sept. 18^th –  full event details:

Date: Thursday September 18

Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Place: Ardiel Cider House at Georgian Hills Vineyard

496350 Grey Rd 2, Blue Mountains

ISLAY, Scotland, Sept. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Lagavulin Single Malt Scotch Whisky reveals the Lagavulin Islay Tartan, a bespoke textile inspired by the distillery's home on the island of Islay and crafted in collaboration with designer Simon Goldman and Scotland's storied Lovat Mill. Known worldwide for exceptional craftsmanship, Lagavulin has long stood as one of Scotland's most revered Single Malts. Now, that heritage is woven into a textile for the first time, carrying the brand's story into a wearable medium for the worlds of fashion and design.

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here:

Goldman approached the collaboration as an exercise in cultural translation, distilling Lagavulin's spirit into something tactile, layered, and expressive. This project marks the first collaboration from Simon Goldman and Myles Kusaba's newly launched creative studio, M&S Co., a project uniting heritage craft with modern brand storytelling.

"Lagavulin Whisky has always been defined by Islay, shaped by its landscape, its community, and more than two centuries of craftsmanship and character in every drop," said Greg Bruce, Whisky Specialist and Blender at the Lagavulin Distillery. "Tartan speaks to the same idea: a Scottish tradition that carries history forward through craft. Bringing the two together is not about novelty, but about continuity, honoring where we come from and showing how heritage can honor the past while shaping the present through cultural reinterpretations today."

Drawing from Lagavulin's heritage, flavor profile, and elemental character, the tartan's design pulls directly from the distillery and its surroundings. Six amber lines echo the six copper stills that have shaped the whisky for more than two centuries, while deep brown threads reference the peat, dense layers of moss and vegetation from Islay's soil that are burned during malting to give Lagavulin its signature smokiness. Deep green reflects Islay's rolling fields, with layers of white, grey, and blue nodding to the whitewashed walls, slate rooftops, rocky coastline, and shifting ocean hues. The result is a textile as symbolic and intentional as the whisky itself.

"My work is a reflection of the belief that every fabric carries meaning and memory. When Lagavulin came to me with the shared ethos that craft is about more than form and function, but about telling a story, we decided to convey this spirit's 200-year story through a new medium," said Simon Goldman, "With my collaborator Myles Kusaba, an expert voice in the world of design, we're thrilled to share with you the first look at the Lagavulin Islay Tartan."

The first iteration of the tartan is being woven in the looms of Lovat Mill, Scotland's legendary textile house based in Hawick, the historic heart of tartan weaving. For centuries, Lovat has been regarded as a custodian of Scotland's national fabric, producing cloth for royalty, design houses, and institutions around the world. Like Lagavulin, its reputation rests on patience, precision, and a commitment to preserving tradition while embracing modern interpretation, making it a natural partner for this collaboration.

As part of its September debut, the Lagavulin Islay Tartan will make its first appearance at Coveteur's Fashion Week Closing Party in New York City on September 15. The evening will bring together industry tastemakers and longtime friends of Lagavulin to toast the launch. The partnership marks more than just a collaboration; it arrives on the heels of the brand's recent relaunch under Gallery Media Group, reflecting its renewed mission to spotlight insider perspectives at the intersection of style and culture.

"This collaboration perfectly captures where Coveteur is headed - celebrating style not just as something you wear, but as a powerful cultural statement. Partnering with Simon and Lagavulin to reinterpret something as timeless as tartan through a modern lens is the essence of our next chapter," said Faith Xue, Editor-in-Chief of Coveteur.

Also central to this debut is Nick Offerman, whose decade-long collaboration with Lagavulin has become the brand's most enduring creative partnership. Together, they've released four Lagavulin Offerman Edition 11 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, including the 2021 Guinness Cask Finish -- named Whisky Advocate's 2021 Whisky of the Year -- and the latest Caribbean Rum Cask Finish, an expression finished in ex-rum casks. Wearing a production run of the Lagavulin Islay Tartan, custom tailored by Martin Greenfield Clothiers, the legendary Brooklyn garment house known for its timeless craftsmanship, Offerman carries the partnership forward, introducing this textile with the same mix of character and credibility that has defined his work with Lagavulin over the years.

Lagavulin invites whisky lovers and tastemakers alike of legal drinking age to follow the journey of the Lagavulin Islay Tartan on Instagram at  andTo discover the full Lagavulin portfolio, including its signature Lagavulin 16 Year Old, visit .

Canadians’ 2025 shift towards local and national producers has given craft beer and Canadian whiskey a boost in Canadian bars and restaurants.

Data from market research firm CGA by NielsenIQ show that over the last 3 months, craft beer sales by dollar value jumped 5.5% vs the same period last year. In the last 12 months, their data show craft sales are up by 1.8%, reversing the previous trend of sliding sales.

It is worth asking if craft beer can continue this trend, since overall the last year has seen craft lose market share to import and domestic beers. But craft beer makers can be encouraged by the events of the past quarter, as well as by the data showing that overall beer sales by dollar value are up by 4% vs. the previous period in the 12 months up to mid-June.

Earlier consumer opinion data showed a strong sentiment shift by Canadians towards supporting local and national producers in 2025. Springtime polling revealed two out of five consumers have tried a Canadian alcohol brand they haven’t had before when out in the last month, with the top motivation listed as supporting Canadian brands.

September’s Consumer Impact Report also shows that the #1 factor that would encourage beer drinkers to pay extra for a beer in bars and restaurants is a beer brewed by a local brewery (31%).

In the whiskey world, Canadian whiskeys have increased $ sales by 3.3% over the last 12 months vs the same time period last year. When looking at the last 3 months specifically vs the same 3-month period last year, this increases to +6.8%. This is in contrast to all other whiskey types be they American, Scotch, or Irish offerings, as each respective category experiences declines

However, given that U.S. whiskey makes up just under a third of all whiskey sales, its availability challenges mean that overall whiskey sales have slipped by 12.3% in the last 3 months.