Top 10 fastest-growing spirits brands

Relentless double-digit growth in the category meant 2015 was inarguably world whisk(e)y’s year.

We reveal the world’s top 10 fastest-growing spirits brands

If there was ever any doubt about the world whisk(e)y contingency’s ability to disrupt the global spirit scene, it’s been well and truly dispelled. Half of the fastest growing brands in the world fall into the category, almost double that of it’s closest competitor, vodka.

Observant readers may note that Beam Suntory’s Kakubin has lost its place at the top spot. This is due to a discrepancy in the original figures – a statement from the firm is available here.

However vodka’s strong showing also comes as something of a surprise, given its woes over the past year. Roust trio Soplica, Żytniówka – last year’s growth champion – and Żubrówka demonstrate the durability underpinning the sector, with Pernod Ricard’s Wyborowa family and Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits’ Krupnik also telling a tale of triumph over market adversity.

Cognac too is another category on the rebound, as evidenced by both Rémy Martin and Martell. After three years of uncertainty Cognac is finally emerging, not entirely unscathed but ready to flourish once more.

Click through the following pages to discover the world’s top 10 fastest-growing spirits brands, listed in order of rising percentage.

Crown Royal

2015: 6.2m

2014: 5.3m

% change: +16.98%

The standout Canadian whisky performance came from Diageo’s Crown Royal, which leapt 16.98% to 6.2m cases last year. The brand increased its global footprint with its first launch into the UK market, before extending its portfolio with the launch of its first blended rye whisky, Northern Harvest Rye. Crown Royal went on to become the “first” alcoholic beverage brand to print serving facts on its packaging in the US.

Zubrowka

2015: 6.15m

2014: 5.18m

% change: +18.73%

Yet again Polish vodka label Zubrowka is among the fastest growing spirits brands in the world. Reporting 18% growth last year, the brand has added a whopping 4.95m cases to its sales since 2010. Roust Group launched Żubrówka Black in March – the “only” Polish vodka to use charcoal from Białowieża oaks in its filtration process – to mark what it called “a new chapter” for the Żubrówka brand.

Black Nikka

2015: 2.4m

2014: 2.0m

% change: +20.00%

The Japanese whisky category has experienced a remarkable rise, not only in value but in popularity too, with shortages well documented. Asahi Brewery’s Black Nikka reported significant double-digit achievements, with sales shooting up 20% to 2.4m cases.

Gordon’s

2015: 4.40m

2014: 3.60m

% change: +22.22%

Gordon’s has ridden market turbulence, surfing the “craft” gin wave and coming out on top. With growth as convincing as 22.22%, brands from across the category spectrum now have a resilient role model to look up to when it comes to riding out a bumpy road.

Imperial Blue

2015: 17.5m

2014: 14.06m

% change: +24.47%

With some of the highest volume growth figures across the entire industry, Indian whisky proved to be one of the most popular spirits sectors in the world last year. Pernod Ricard’s Imperial Blue has more than doubled its sales in the last three years, reaching an all-time high of 17.5m cases.

Zytniowka

2015: 1.60m

2014: 1.28m

% change: +25.00%

Last year’s fastest growing spirit brand – as a newcomer, no less – Zytniowka has continued its path of strong growth. The vodka’s building success, particularly a brand emerging from market difficulties in Eastern Europe, is more than admirable and shows no sign of slowing.

Soplica

2015: 2.52m

2014: 2.00m

% change: +26.00%

Roust-owned Soplica revived itself from a year of stagnant sales to add a whopping 26% to its volume in spite of a background of economic and political turmoil. One of the oldest industrially produced vodkas in Poland, the brand boasts a stable of seven different products.

Royal Challenge

2015: 3.78m

2014: 2.73m

% change: +38.46%

Owned by Diageo’s Indian drinks arm United Spirits, Royal Challenge added 38.46% to its 2014 figures in the face of the company’s internal conflicts with former chairman Vijay Mallya. The brand was launched in the early 1980s, and is a grain based whisky blended with Scotch malts and Indian malts.

Bangalore Malt Whisky

2015: 1.10m

2014: 0.75m

% change: +46.67%

Surpassing the one million case sales mark for the first time, John Distilleries-owned Bangalore Malt Whisky witnessed an impressive 46.7% sales growth in 2015, taking it to 1.1m nine-litre cases and earning it the title of Indian Whisky Brand Champion 2016. The brand is now looking outside of its domestic Indian market as it seeks to hit 2m cases by the end of 2016.

Officer’s Choice Brandy

2015: 1.06m

2014: 0.72m

% change: +48.25%

The Allied Blenders-owned brands’ glowing sales secured its position as both the fastest growing spirits brand of 2016, as well as this years’ Brandy Brand Champion. Officer’s Choice entered the million case-selling brandy category for the first time, almost doubling its volume sales to 1.06m cases. For a category often lost in the glare of its cousin Cognac, this feat is truly impressive.