Whisky brands of the future: Part one
Thanks to careful marketing, innovative bottlings and a surge in ‘craft’ spirits, global whisky demand has reached an all-time high. The Spirits Business shines a light on the distilleries quietly maturing the brands of tomorrow.
SB rounds up a selection of future whisky brands to watch out for over the coming years
There’s no doubt about it: the world has gone whisky mad. According to the Distilled Spirits Council, volume sales of Bourbon, Tennessee whiskey and rye whiskey from the US grew by 6.8% to 21 million cases in 2016, as revenues increased 7.7% to US$3.1 billion.
Meanwhile across the pond, Irish whiskey exports increased by an estimated 8% last year to €505 million (US$537m) and are on track to double by 2020, as predicted by a recent report from Irish food board Bord Bia.
Scotch whisky too enjoyed success in 2016 – according to the Scotch Whisky Association export values bounced back from a lull, rising by 4% to pass the £4 billion (US$5.2bn) mark, with the EU and US the category’s biggest customers. As Brexit comes into play, the UK government has said it is “determined” to open up new export markets for the spirit.
The whisky wave continues further afield: new distilleries are cropping up left, right and centre in the likes of Japan, Canada, Germany, Australia, India and Wales and look set to give the traditional regions a run for their money in the coming years.
With this in mind, we’ve compiled a round-up of distilleries from around the world that are readying to tap into the market within the coming years.
Click through the following pages to discover our pick of future whisky brands to watch out for.
Have we missed your favourite newcomer? Don’t be shy, let us know in the comments below.
Please note this list is by no means definitive – look out for part two in the coming weeks.
Have you not seen what the guys at Bimber Distillery in West London are doing? They are bringing single malt whisky back to London with The London Single Malt Whisky due to be launched in May 2019. Check it out!!!
Interesting concept for an article. Really curious about your criteria for selecting these ten. I am sure they are all great. Few can be doing as much in terms of spirit innovation and cask creativity as Eden Mill St Andrews which will have its first scotch single malt release by the end of this year. The first single malt from the St Andrews area in 150 years made on a site of the former Seggie Distillery ( Haig family ) and distilled by a team of no fewer than 6 degree qualified distillers. Eden Mill 2 year old spirits recently released and almost immediately sold out show the diversity of malt types used to great effect. Chocolate Malt, Crystal Malt and conventional Golden Promise Pale Malt. Genuine innovation crafted with real passion. No wonder an Eden Mill tour is the number one thing to do for visitors to Fife according to trip advisor. Definitely not boring ! I would love to know your criteria and why Eden Mill doesn’t make your list ? Thanks. Paul
Milk & Honey Distilley, Israel. They began distilling single malt in 2015, and are cutting no corners with their eye at the top end of the market. The late Jim Swan served as a consultant at every step of the way, and their expectations of producing a very high quality single malt when they bottle in 2019 are well justified.