Sober Spirits’ Post

2022: The Year of Premium Spirits in the USA 🥃🍸 Tequila led the charge in 2022, showcasing remarkable growth in both volume and value. This surge was powered by a successful premiumization trend, with US consumers embracing sipping tequilas like never before. Celebrity endorsements, such as Kendall Jenner's 818, played a significant role in attracting new aficionados to higher-priced options. But it wasn't just tequila. Premiumization was a key trend across various spirit categories. Whiskies (Irish, Scotch, and Japanese) and cognac also saw a notable shift towards higher-end products, indicating a broader consumer movement towards premium spirits. Interestingly, consumers are not just sticking to one category. They're exploring different spirits, and finding value in premium segments across the board. For instance, switching from tequila to bourbon offers a different experience without compromising quality. Recognizing this trend, major companies are investing heavily in premium spirits. Pernod Ricard formed the “American Whiskey Collective” and Campari invested in a flavoured bourbon “Howler Head” which are prime examples of corporate strategies aligning with consumer preferences. However, not all spirits are enjoying the same success. Despite attempts to replicate tequila's triumph, premium rum remains a niche with limited consumer awareness. Vodka, too, faces challenges, struggling to keep pace with evolving consumer tastes. 2022 was a fascinating year for the spirits industry in the USA, marked by a clear shift towards premiumization and exploration. What trends do you think we'll see in 2023? Share your thoughts below! 🥂 Source: Euromonitor, 2024 #tequila #usa #premium #trend #whiskey #premiumization

🌍 Exploring the Best-Selling Liquors and Spirits Around the Globe 🥃 As the world becomes more interconnected, the appreciation for diverse liquors and spirits is on the rise. From craft distilleries to global brands, here are some of the best-selling liquors that have captured the hearts (and palates) of consumers abroad: Whiskey 🥃 Jameson Irish Whiskey: A staple in bars worldwide, known for its smoothness and versatility in cocktails. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey: This iconic American brand remains a favorite, embodying the spirit of the South. Vodka 🍸 Smirnoff: This vodka brand dominates the market with its wide range of flavors and accessibility. Grey Goose: A premium choice that has earned its place as a symbol of luxury. Tequila 🌵 Patrón: Known for its high-quality tequila, Patrón has set the standard for what tequila should be. Jose Cuervo: This brand has made tequila a household name, offering everything from traditional to ready-to-drink options. Rum 🏝️ Bacardi: One of the most recognizable rum brands, Bacardi’s versatility makes it a go-to for cocktails. Captain Morgan: With its spiced rum, it appeals to a younger audience looking for fun and flavor. Gin 🍹 Bombay Sapphire: This gin is celebrated for its botanical flavors and is a favorite in gin and tonics. Tanqueray: A classic choice that stands the test of time, known for its crisp, clean taste. 🌟 Why These Brands? These brands have not only mastered their craft but have also embraced global marketing strategies that resonate with consumers. Their success is a testament to the importance of quality, branding, and adaptability in the ever-evolving spirits market. As professionals in the industry, understanding these trends can help us anticipate consumer preferences and drive our own brands forward. What are some of your favorite spirits, and how do you see the market evolving? Share your thoughts below! ⬇️ #Liquor #Spirits #GlobalMarket #Whiskey #Vodka #Tequila #Rum #Gin #ConsumerTrends

Practical tips on assessing the aromas and flavours of spirits including gin, vodka, whisky and Cognac.

🌍 Exploring the Best-Selling Liquors and Spirits Around the Globe 🥃 As the world becomes more interconnected, the appreciation for diverse liquors and spirits is on the rise. From craft distilleries to global brands, here are some of the best-selling liquors that have captured the hearts (and palates) of consumers abroad: Whiskey 🥃 Jameson Irish Whiskey: A staple in bars worldwide, known for its smoothness and versatility in cocktails. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey: This iconic American brand remains a favorite, embodying the spirit of the South. Vodka 🍸 Smirnoff: This vodka brand dominates the market with its wide range of flavors and accessibility. Grey Goose: A premium choice that has earned its place as a symbol of luxury. Tequila 🌵 Patrón: Known for its high-quality tequila, Patrón has set the standard for what tequila should be. Jose Cuervo: This brand has made tequila a household name, offering everything from traditional to ready-to-drink options. Rum 🏝️ Bacardi: One of the most recognizable rum brands, Bacardi’s versatility makes it a go-to for cocktails. Captain Morgan: With its spiced rum, it appeals to a younger audience looking for fun and flavor. Gin 🍹 Bombay Sapphire: This gin is celebrated for its botanical flavors and is a favorite in gin and tonics. Tanqueray: A classic choice that stands the test of time, known for its crisp, clean taste. 🌟 Why These Brands? These brands have not only mastered their craft but have also embraced global marketing strategies that resonate with consumers. Their success is a testament to the importance of quality, branding, and adaptability in the ever-evolving spirits market. As professionals in the industry, understanding these trends can help us anticipate consumer preferences and drive our own brands forward. What are some of your favorite spirits, and how do you see the market evolving? Share your thoughts below! ⬇️ #Liquor #Spirits #GlobalMarket #Whiskey #Vodka #Tequila #Rum #Gin #ConsumerTrends

THE ALCOHOL INDUSTRY: OVER-SATURATED OR RIPE FOR THE TAKING? We’ve seen many celebrities dipping their toes in the luxury alcohol sector and the question we have is, why is this market so appealing to the stars? Is it because the industry is valued at $531b as of this year, or is there more to it? Below, we have some of Truffle’s favourite celeb-alcohol partnership announcements so far… 🥃 SirDavis The future of whisky is here, according to Beyonce, after launching her joint venture with Moet Hennessy. Crafted to reflect her whisky ideals, Sir Davis is a premium whisky with notes of honey - and appealing to the masses. The Queen Bee’s grandfather - who was a moonshiner during the US Prohibition - was the inspiration for this new liquor. 🌵 Casamigos Tequila George Clooney and Rande Gerber’s tequila brand Casamigos has been very successful, to say the least. They focus on the fun and social aspects of drinking tequila - created to enjoy at home - and they said it was too good not to share with the world. Migos is said to taste so good that you don’t need lime and salt to pair it with...a bold statement, but one we're willing to put to the test. 🇺🇸 Aviation American Gin Ryan Reynolds embedded his globally known humour in the marketing for his gin brand as it continues to grow! In 2020, he cashed out and sold to Diageo for $610 million after owning the business since 2018. Not too bad, right? We also have to mention Blake Lively's new non-alcoholic tonic ‘Betty Buzz’ which is perfect to pair with Aviation. As this industry keeps ramping up despite research showcasing GenZ slowing down their alcohol consumption, we're keeping our eyes and ears open to who is next to launch their signature drink. #SocialMarketing #TruffleSocial #AlcoholBrands #Celebrities #CelebBrands #SocialMarketing

𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗧𝗗 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 👊 😍 Ketel One owner Diageo has added a sixth product to its line of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails. Astral joins Tanqueray and Ketel One in The Cocktail Collection The Cocktail Collection officially launched last year with an Espresso Martini, a Cosmopolitan and a Negroni, joining two Bulleit Bourbon cocktails that launched in 2022. The Astral Margarita is made using Astral Tequila, which uses ‘a traditional, time-intensive process to achieve a smooth, bright profile with bursts of citrus and notes of agave’. Diageo acquired the Tequila brand in 2020 when it bought Davos Brands. “We are committed to bringing bartender-quality cocktails straight to our consumers’ fingertips, so hosts can focus on enjoying moments with their guests, worry-free,” said Nikhil Shah, brand director at Diageo. “We are thrilled with the reception of The Cocktail Collection so far and, with the Margarita’s enduring appeal, it is our hope that we will reach even more cocktail enthusiasts with our newest offering.” The 20% ABV Astral Margarita comes in 350ml and 750ml bottles, with RRPs of US$13.99 and US$25.99 respectively. This week, Diageo revealed that its sales for the first half of fiscal 2024 were down, blaming its sales drop in Latin America on a “worse than expected” consumer environment and high inventory levels. In January, behavioural research platform Veylinx revealed that consumer demand for alcoholic RTDs has grown by 20% year on year.

Practical tips on assessing the aromas and flavours of spirits including gin, vodka, whisky and Cognac.

It still doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I am trying to see the real incrementality associated with it - the "Grey Goose Martini Cocktail". The last time I looked, to make a martini, you needed vodka (that's Grey Goose), or gin (that's Bombay Sapphire, another Bacardi-owned brand), dry vermouth (Martini & Rossi, another Bacardi brand) - any bitters or orange is not an opportunity to sell, as Bacardi isn't in those businesses. So why slam the vodka and vermouth together and think it's going to be incremental purchase and consumption - it would just replace the Grey Goose and Martini consumption that would have happened if the consumer slammed them together themselves. You know what would be incremental? Grey Goose Champagne or Grey Goose Cognac - leveraging the luxury and French heritage credentials - a completely different drink type - that would make sense. https://lnkd.in/d-9eVnAa

Big news for the drink aisle! Diageo's rolling out fancy ready-to-drink cocktails. Think Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray, and Cîroc in a can. This is huge. It means more people will be eyeing the cocktail section. And that's brilliant for the challenger brands we love to root for, like: MOTH Drinks Tapp'd Cocktails Ltd FUNKIN COCKTAILS | B Corp™ NIO Cocktails Served Drinks Diageo stepping in? It's not just competition. It's proof our favourite underdogs are on to something big. So, to the challenger brands out there, keep shaking things up. Your unique twists, your bold flavours, they're what make this space exciting. At North Star, we're all about helping you get your drinks out there, and grow. Because when one of us shines, we all do. https://lnkd.in/easywjqy #FMCG #ChallengerBrands #NorthStar

What's in your cup? Spirits sales hit $37.7B in 2023 according to Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. That beats out beer and wine for second straight year, despite little growth in the category. Consumers once again flocking to vodka, high-end tequila/mezcal and American whiskey as the top three by revenue. But the real story to me is that "ready-to-drink" cocktails are the fastest growing category with sales rising 26.8%. Luxury spirits makers seem are determined to execute their premiumization strategies, but I'd classify ready-to-drink as luxury on a budget option. What do you think? Should companies be leaning in further to the RTD market? @CNBC #Spirits