Distilled spirits sales rose 2.4% by volume last year (52 weeks ending December 30), in SymphonyIRI channels. Off-premise growth was even better on a dollar basis, up 4.5% to $4.1 billion. The data represents roughly 15% of the total U.S. spirits market, as estimated by Impact Databank.
High-end brands continue to drive the market, as ultra-premium and luxury-priced spirits, with an average price of just under $32 per 750-ml. bottle, combined for 12.8% volume growth last year. On the other hand, the value- and popular-priced segments (under $7 a bottle on average), combined for a 1.7% decline.
Among the 100 largest-selling brands ranked by dollar sales in SymphonyIRI channels, triple-digit growth was recorded last year by Cîroc, New Amsterdam vodka, RumChata and Dr. McGillicuddy’s. Among the top 25 brands, Jameson (+27.6%), Maker’s Mark (+18%), Svedka (+15%) and Jack Daniel’s (+10.1%) had the fastest growth.