World Whisky Brand Champions 2014
WORLD WHISKY BRAND CHAMPION 2014: JAMESON
Jameson continues to dominate its category, snatching our World Whisky Brand Champion 2014 titleThe world whisky category has seen some exciting developments over the past year, but none more so than Irish whiskey, which has become a steadfast hot topic among spirits fans across the globe.
With more investment than ever before and a new title of fastest growing spirit category in the US, Irish whiskey made the industry sit up and take notice in 2013. A host of new players are set to enter the category in the next few years, while established players are seeking to premiumise, increase capacity and lead with innovation.
Irish Distillers’ flagship brand Jameson continued its blazing trail of success last year, maintaining its position as the only Irish whiskey brand to achieve over 1m case sales, although William Grant & Sons’ Bushmills is hot on its heels, with sales of 800,000 cases in 2013.
In its biggest market, the Irish whiskey-thirsty US, Jameson’s commanding sales performance continued with an impressive 21% boost. The brand’s volumes are also set to soar further after a €100m expansion and refurbishment of the Midleton Distillery in County Cork.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to see the rest of our Brand Champions
“The sustained progress of Jameson within the Pernod Ricard family of brands has been one of the group’s most eminent success stories,” said Anna Malmhake, chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers.
“Combining the focus, energy and commitment of the people behind the Jameson brand, with the skill and passion of the people in the Pernod Ricard distribution network, continues to be a winning combination.”
For many American whiskey producers, 2013 was simultaneously successful and problematic. The surging global popularity of classic cocktails and consumers’ growing preference for “heritage brands” meant that American whiskey, and Bourbon in particular, was validated as one of the most sought after spirits in the world, but numerous producers have struggled to meet demand.
Maker’s Mark was one such company, admitting in 2013 that its stocks were running low. The brand sparked outrage when it suggested lowering its abv in order to stretch supplies, but quickly changed tactics, instead opting for a “barrel rinse” process. With case sales of 1.3m last year, the move seems to have not deterred its loyal fans. The future of Maker’s Mark looks even brighter as the company recently revealed plans to double its capacity through a US$67m distillery expansion.
| NORTH AMERICAN WHISKY | |||||||
| BRAND | OWNER | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | % +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Daniel’s | Brown-Forman | 9.5 | 9.9 | 10.5 | 10.9 | 11.5 | 5% |
| Jim Beam | Beam Suntory | 6.7 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.9 | 10% |
| Seagram’s 7 Crown | Diageo | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 0% |
| Maker’s Mark | Beam Suntory | 0.9 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 8% |
| Wild Turkey | Gruppo Campari | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0% |
| CANADIAN WHISKY | |||||||
| BRAND | OWNER | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | % +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Royal | Diageo | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.5 | 6% |
| Black Velvet | Constellation Brands | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 2.2 | -2% |
| Canadian Club | Beam Suntory | 1.9 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 0% |
| Canadian Mist | Brown-Forman | 1.8 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.3 | -20% |
| IRISH WHISKEY | |||||||
| BRAND | OWNER | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | % +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jameson | Pernod Ricard | 2.7 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 15% |
| JAPANESE WHISKY | |||||||
| BRAND | OWNER | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | % +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suntory Kakubin | Suntory | 2.3 | 2.8 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 3.1 | 11% |
| Black Nikka | Asahi Breweries | 1.3 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 6% |
