Impact’s Spirits “Hot Brands” Show Ongoing Momentum In 2020
August 24, 2020It’s safe to say that 2020 has unfolded in a way few would have predicted at the start of the year. Yet many of the consumer trends that have animated the spirits market in recent years are holding true to form or even accelerating, including premiumization and the robust growth of key categories like whisk(e)y and Tequila.
Earlier this year, Impact recognized more than 30 spirits labels as “Hot Brands” based on their 2019 performances. Each member of that esteemed list demonstrated ongoing volume growth in control states in the first half of this year—at double- or in some cases triple-digit rates. Among the largest spirits “Hot Brands,” top performers like Tito’s, Crown Royal, Jim Beam, and Fireball were all up by more than 10% in control states in the first half, with Tito’s leading the way with an 18% increase.
While growth is widespread across the honor roll, the Tequila category continues to be a standout. Among the Hot Brand Tequilas showing rapid volume gains in control states this year are Jose Cuervo Especial Silver (+27%), Don Julio (+22%), Espolon (+42%), Cazadores (+19%), Casamigos (+66%), Lunazul (+33%), Altos (+32%), and Jose Cuervo Tradicional (+45%).
The story is similar in the whisk(e)y category, with all of the Hot Brand list’s members continuing to gain volume in control states through the first half of the year. In addition to Crown Royal, Jim Beam, and Fireball, whisk(e)y Hot Brands including Woodford Reserve (+24%), Ole Smoky (+69%), Pendleton (+13%), Basil Hayden’s (+23%), Ezra Brooks (+13%), Four Roses (+49%), Old Forester (+36%), Buffalo Trace (+17%), and Elijah Craig (+40%) all remain in growth mode. According to Impact Databank, control states account for about 23% of the U.S. spirits market in volume terms.—Daniel Marsteller
| Mid-Year Update: Impact’s 10 Largest Spirits “Hot Brands” (thousands of actual/mixed cases in control states, year-to-date through June) |
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| Rank | Brand | Company | 2019 | 2020 | Percent Change1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tito’s | Fifth Generation | 981 | 1,159 | 18.1% |
| 2 | Crown Royal2 | Diageo North America | 699 | 773 | 10.5% |
| 3 | Fireball | Sazerac Co. | 652 | 728 | 11.6% |
| 4 | Jim Beam2 | Beam Suntory | 528 | 589 | 11.6% |
| 5 | Jose Cuervo Especial Silver | Proximo Spirits | 318 | 404 | 26.9% |
| 6 | Platinum 7X | Sazerac Co. | 254 | 282 | 10.9% |
| 7 | Woodford Reserve | Brown-Forman | 81 | 100 | 23.5% |
| 8 | Deep Eddy2 | Heaven Hill Brands | 66 | 76 | 15.5% |
| 9 | 1800 Ultimate Margarita | Proximo Spirits | 42 | 63 | 49.9% |
| 10 | Don Julio | Diageo North America | 39 | 48 | 22.3% |
| Total Top 103 | 3,660 | 4,222 | 15.4% | ||
| 1 based on unrounded data 2 includes flavors 3 addition of columns may not agree due to roundingSource: IMPACT DATABANK © 2020 |
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Tagged : Crown Royal, Fireball, Hot Brands, Jim Beam, NABCA, Tito's
