Distillers to debate whether gin has reached its peak

As gin continues its rapid growth, the question of whether the category has reached its peak will come under the spotlight at the annual Distillers’ City Debate.

Has gin reached its peak?

Held on Wednesday 1 May 2019, the motion of the debate will be: ‘This house believes that the gin boom has reached its peak’.

Taking place from 6pm to 8.30pm at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, King Edward Hall, in London, the debate will be hosted by The Worshipful Company of Distillers.

Participants in the debate are yet to be announced.

2018 was another record year for gin growth, with exports exceeding £567 million (US$728,663m).

While final figures are still not available, not-for-profit The Gin Guild cites HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) data that states additional overseas sales of £35m (US$44.9m) compared with 2017, up from £421m (US$541.1m) in 2015.

Nicholas Cook, director general of The Gin Guild, said: “None of us knows what impact Brexit will have on British gin exports, or even on the imports of botanicals and other materials.

“The market for gin is constantly evolving, reflecting the versatility and sophistication of gin and the infinite variations on the main juniper theme that can be obtained by combinations of other botanicals.

“2018 was also a record year for sales of coloured and flavoured gins, much of which can be attributed to pink gin alone. Some innovations may not be to everyone’s taste, but they are bringing new consumers to the category.”

Last year, a panel of speakers debated the benefits of family ownership in the spirits industry versus publicly-listed companies.