Exclusive: Whiskies, Tequilas, RTDs Front And Center On Impact’s “Hot Brands” List

Shanken’s Impact Newsletter has unveiled its annual list of “Hot Brands,” highlighting the best-performing brands from across the drinks industry. This year, a total of 72 brands from the wine, spirits, and RTD cocktail categories met Impact Databank’s stringent criteria to make the list.

There are three different ways to qualify as an Impact Hot Brand: a contender must have shown double-digit growth in each year from 2020-2022, or be an established player with at least 15% growth in 2022, or else be a top 10 brand with at least 5% growth in 2022 and 15% growth since 2019. The minimum volume requirement for spirits and imported wines is 200,000 cases, while domestic wines and RTDs must meet a threshold of 250,000 cases.

This year, 31 spirits brands earned Hot Brand honors. As expected, given the current strength of Tequilas and whiskies, those two categories lead the way, making up 81% of this year’s winners, or 25 brands. Whisk(e)y, including all points of origin, was the largest category within this year’s spirits Hot Brand winners with 13 brands making the grade. Breaking that down, Bourbon is the most popular subcategory, with seven awardees. Canadian whiskies scored two Hot Brand winners and Scotland, Ireland, and Tennessee each fielded one, as did the flavored segment.

This year’s spirits Hot Brands above 800,000 cases include: Tito’s, Fireball, Casamigos, Don Julio, 1800, Hornitos, Woodford Reserve, Ole Smoky, Espolon, Dewar’s, Lunazul, Teremana, and Crown Royal Peach.

Additionally, 22 spirits- or wine-based cocktail brands earned honors. Hot Brand RTD cocktails above 800,000 cases include: High Noon Sun Sips, Cutwater, Monaco, Buzzballz Chillers, Beatbox, Crown Royal RTDs, Long Drink, and Nutrl.

The full Hot Brands list, along with comprehensive data and analysis, is featured in Impact’s March 1&15 issue. Click here to subscribe.

Tagged : Cutwater, Fireball, High Noon, Hot Brands, Impact, Monaco, Tito's

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