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The most valuable spirits categories in the US
The five leading categories by revenue look markedly different to volume. What was the most valuable spirits category in the US last year?
In its Annual Economic Briefing, trade body the Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus) shared insights into the performance of the nation’s spirits scene last year.
The data was pulled together with the help of IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, and showed the value of spirits supplier sales fell by 1.1% in 2024 to US$37.2 billion, a decrease of US$424 million.
On the contrary, US spirits volume grew by 1.1% to 312.2m nine-litre cases.
The threat of tariffs did not go unnoticed by the association as the data was shared.
Discus president Chris Swonger said: “Tariffs on spirits not only harm distillers, they also severely impact farmers and hospitality businesses including restaurants and bars, which are continuing their fragile recovery after the pandemic.
“We are making our case to the Trump administration that our industry has thrived with zero-for-zero tariffs and that distilled spirits’ ‘distinctive products’ status, which is recognised by the US and our trading partners, means that these special spirits can only be made in their designated countries.”
Looking at the biggest spirits categories in the US, which were the largest five?
Readers can also discover the top five biggest spirits categories by volume in the US in 2024.
5. Cordials/liqueurs
The category moved down a place compared with the previous year, following a 3.6% decline to US$2.8bn in 2024. This is only marginally down from cordials’/liqueurs’ 2023 performance, which decreased slightly (0.4%) to US$2.9bn.
4. Cocktails and RTDs
Covering pre-mixed cocktails and spirits-based RTDs, this was the only segment to deliver double-digit growth out of the top five. Sales of cocktails and RTDs were worth US$3.3bn last year following a 16.5% increase. This growth was slower than in 2023, when a 26.8% increase took the sector’s value to US$2.8bn.
3. American whiskey
Third position was retained by American whiskey, despite a slight dip in revenue. The category saw a decline of 1.8% to US$5.2bn last year, down from US$5.3bn the year prior. As such, it was unable to regain its second position from Tequila, which overtook American whiskey in 2023.
2. Tequila and mezcal
The agave-based spirits widened their lead on American whiskey further last year with 2.9% growth. The category was worth US$6.7bn in 2024, making it the second most valuable category in the States.
1. Vodka
Pole position once again went to vodka, even though the category reported flat sales by revenue in 2024 (0.0%). The most valuable spirits category in the US was worth US$7.2bn last year. However, without growth, if Tequila and mezcal continue their upward trajectory, vodka could be toppled from its throne in the next year or two.
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