Spirits Are Up: Top 100 Spirit Brands Grew 11 Percent in 2018

Spirits sales continued to grow in 2018, with the top 100 fastest-growing brands increasing 11 percent, compared to .08 percent global growth of all spirits brands, according to data from the IWSR Drinks Market Analysis Global Database.

Of the industry’s 3.17 billion nine-liter cases of spirits, the top 100 brands, measured by case volume growth, represent 690.5 million cases.

Of the top ten ranking brands, Jinro Soju, based in South Korea, came out on top, growing 6.4 percent in 2018. The brand has held the top spot since 2002.

Behind Jinro is Officer’s Choice whisky, an Indian whisky brand which grew 5.6 percent.

National and regional products, such as soju, baijiu, and Indian whiskey, make up the majority of the top 100 list.

“Though we saw a decline in beer and wine consumption last year, brands in the spirits category continue to enjoy great consumer loyalty,” Mark Meek, IWSR CEO, said in a press release. “It’s particularly interesting to see the growth of gin brands, the category which experienced the largest gain in global beverage alcohol consumption in 2018.”

Here are the top 25 spirits brands for 2018.

1. Jinro Soju

Soju, 6.4% growth 2017 to 2018

2. Imperial Blue Whiskey

Whiskey, 19.4% growth 2017 to 2018

3. Royal Stag Whiskey

Whiskey, 15.5% growth 2017 to 2018

4. Chum Churum Soju

Soju, 10.3% growth 2017 to 2018

5. McDowell’s Whiskey

Whiskey, 7.8% growth 2017 to 2018

6. Tanduay Rum

Rum, 12.1% growth 2017 to 2018

7. Magic Moments Vodka

Vodka, 48.0% growth 2017 to 2018

8. McDowell’s Brandy

Brandy, 17.8% growth 2017 to 2018

9. Officer’s Choice Whiskey

Whiskey, 5.6% growth 2017 to 2018

10. Jing Jiu Baijiu

Baijiu, 11.5% growth 2017 to 2018

11. 8 PM Whiskey

Whiskey, 28.0% growth 2017 to 2018

12. Bangalore Malt Whiskey

Whiskey, 44.1% growth 2017 to 2018

13. Gordon’s Gin

Gin and Genever, 27.8% growth 2017 to 2018

14. Tito’s Vodka

Vodka, 18.6% growth 2017 to 2018

15. Original Choice Whiskey

Whiskey, 11.9% growth 2017 to 2018

16. Nemiroff Vodka

Vodka, 40.3% growth 2017 to 2018

17. Sterling Reserve Whiskey

Whiskey, 3,928.8% growth 2017 to 2018

18. Royal Green Whiskey

Whiskey, 97.5% growth 2017 to 2018

19. Men’s Club Brandy

Brandy, 90.4% growth 2017 to 2018

20. Blender’s Pride Whiskey

Whiskey, 15.0% growth 2017 to 2018

21. Aperol Aperitif

Flavoured Spirits, 22.6% growth 2017 to 2018

22. Urozhay Vodka

Vodka, 215.4% growth 2017 to 2018

23. Royal Challenge Whiskey

Whiskey 19.0% growth 2017 to 2018

24. Jim Beam Whiskey

Whiskey, 9.5% growth 2017 to 2018

25. Mansion House Brandy

Brandy, 21.7% growth 2017 to 2018