Surging Jameson Cracks 4-Million-Case Mark

After one of the most impressive upswings in industry history, Jameson Irish whiskey has surpassed the 4-million-case threshold in global sales. The Pernod Ricard brand recently sold more than 4 million cases over a 12-month period (October 1, 2011-September 30, 2012) for the first time. In 2011, Jameson grew by 19.3% to 3.78 million cases, according to Impact Databank.

Jameson hasn’t suffered an annual downturn in the 23 years that Pernod Ricard has owned the brand. When the French drinks giant acquired Irish Distillers in 1988, Jameson sold less than 500,000 cases per year, with Ireland as its primary market. Back then, Jameson sold slightly more than 100,000 cases annually in the U.S.

By 2011, however, the Irish whiskey leader’s U.S. sales had jumped to more than 1.3 million cases—and they show no sign of slowing. Last year, Jameson expanded by nearly 30% in the U.S., remarkably posting double-digit growth in 49 of the 50 U.S. states. The brand has almost singlehandedly made the U.S. into an Irish whiskey stronghold. It accounts for roughly 75% of the U.S. Irish whiskey market, which is now more than threefold larger than Ireland’s. But Jameson—and Irish whiskey—are also thriving outside these two core markets, experiencing rapid growth in countries like South Africa, Germany and Russia.

Tagged : Irish whiskey, Jameson, Pernod Ricard, spirits

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