Spiritz Magazine’s Post

One notable trend in India’s alcoholic beverage market is the rising popularity of tequila and mezcal. Though relatively new to the market, demand for these spirits is growing steadily. Pranav Mehra, Director of MEHRA WINES INDIA, predicts significant growth in both value and volume for these two in the coming years.

Why Bartenders in the UK Should Start Stocking Indian Whiskies. The global whisky landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, and Indian whiskies are at the forefront of this change. Great story by London Competitions's editor Malvika Patel. With increasing international acclaim and unique flavor profiles, Indian single malts are carving out their space in the market. For UK bartenders, the time is ripe to explore the richness of Indian whiskies, which offer both diversity and distinction to discerning customers. Historical Milestones: India's whisky journey began during the British colonial period in the late 19th century. For decades, Indian whisky was synonymous with Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), primarily composed of molasses-based spirits. However, a turning point came in 1982 when Amrut Distilleries pioneered the production of malt-based whiskies, marking the start of India’s premium whisky revolution. This shift towards quality was soon followed by distilleries like Paul John Whisky in Goa and Rampur in Uttar Pradesh, elevating Indian whisky to a global stage. The Unique Character of Indian Whisky Indian whiskies stand out for their meticulous craftsmanship, drawing on India's diverse culture and heritage. Six-row barley, known for its rich flavor, forms the backbone of many Indian whiskies. At distilleries like Paul John, barley is sourced from the foothills of the Himalayas, ensuring robust character and taste. The unique mineral content of natural spring water in Goa adds to the smoothness and purity of Paul John whiskies. The integration of local spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg adds a distinctive touch to Indian whiskies. This, coupled with tropical fruit notes derived from the rapid aging process in India’s climate, sets Indian whiskies apart from their global counterparts. As Vikram Damodaran, Chief Innovation Officer at DIAGEO India, noted, "We’re seeing a surge of innovative techniques and ideas that are transforming the industry. India is becoming a force to reckon with in the global spirits market". One of the most distinctive aspects of Indian whisky production is the aging process. Due to India’s hot and humid climate, whisky matures faster than in cooler regions like Scotland. This accelerated maturation, often with an angel’s share as high as 10-12% annually, imparts deep, complex flavors to the whisky in a shorter time. Vinod Giri, Director General of the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies, pointed out, “The Indian climate lends itself to creating unique whisky profiles. The interaction between whisky and oak is more intense, leading to flavors that are rich and mature beyond their years”. Key Whisky-Producing Regions in India:  "Goa’s unique environment adds its magic to the whisky, imparting tropical fruit notes that are impossible to replicate elsewhere," shares Michael D’Souza, Master Distiller of Paul John Distilleries....read the full story here.

Market update How do fine spirits behave according to a very recent update reported by Knight Frank Luxury? “The blended Hibiki moves the Liv-ex in a slowdown phase. Whiskeys are the highest earning category in the long term according to Knight Frank's Luxury Index." One of the latest market updates published just two days ago on financialounge and also reported by la Repubblica concerns one of the most highly rated Japanese whiskey labels in the world, namely Hibiki. “Whisky made in Japan wins on the Fine Wine Exchange”, a clear exhortation with explicit reference to a sector which, like various alternative assets, has experienced a moment of strength and notable performances in the past years, only to then see its growth come to a halt growth in value for more than a year now, i.e. the fine wines sector. Clearly these are completely different sectors, that of fine wines and that of collectible spirits, although they might seem particularly similar when it comes to alcohol. In reality the differences that separate them are multiple and clarify the difference in performance between the two categories of alcohol. Starting from the production in extremely limited quantities for whiskey and particularly generous quantities for wines, to the average performance of 25% per year for whiskeys compared to 8% for wines, to an ever-increasing demand for whiskeys which the limited production it is unable to satisfy, unlike a lower demand for wines in the face of an overproduction of the same. Moreover, fine whiskeys would never be able to satisfy their ever-increasing demand, since time cannot be controlled. In fact, to produce a fine whisky, it takes time, a lot of time. Aging a whiskey for 30 years means necessarily having to wait 30 years; on the other hand, the harvest of an en primeur takes place every year and therefore the availability of the wine is from year to year. “In this phase of decline of Fine Wines on the global market, it is the leading labels that do not lose share on Liv-ex. Passionate investments can also prove to be long-term investments when well identified. And whisky, in general as a category, from this point of view is the one with the best performance, according to the Knight Frank Luxury Index". A revelation that of Knight Frank Luxury, of which we have always been aware and spokesperson, focusing the creation of our investor clients' portfolios only on rare and premium high-end bottles in the fine spirits sector. #InvestmentOpportunity #LuxuryInvestments #SpiritsMarket #PremiumSpirits #HibikiWhisky

If you read 'BrewsnSpirits.in', you'll have these stories at your beck-n-call!

🥃 ONE RUM & The Rise of Premium & Super-Premium Rum: A Growing Force in the Spirits Industry 📈 The premium and super-premium rum categories are driving the resurgence of rum, similar to tequila and gin in recent years. In 2022, the premium-and-above rum segment grew by +10%, while the total category rose by +9%. Though growth will slow to a CAGR of +2% by 2027, super-premium rum is expected to grow at +6%, according to IWSR data. Key markets — USA, France, Germany, Italy, and Australia — are leading the rise. CGA by NielsenIQ revealed rum surpassed £1 billion in UK sales, now ahead of whisky. Brands like Havana Club and Bumbu are capitalizing with strong marketing and innovation. Cross-trading of whisky and cognac drinkers toward premium rum is another trend. With rum being more affordable, this shift is particularly visible in the US, where interest in tequila is decreasing. This positions rum for further growth. Premiumisation is transforming rum from a cocktail spirit🍹into a sipping spirit 🥃. Younger audiences are especially drawn to quality and unique experiences ✨. With rum outperforming whisky in the UK, the future is bright for premium rum brands. ONE RUM is well-positioned to thrive 🚀. By focusing on quality, craftsmanship, and authentic storytelling, it appeals to premium consumers. With rum up +10% in 2022 and a rising demand for aged spirits 🥃, ONE RUM can play a significant role in the German market. 📊 Sources: The Spirits Business (2024), IWSR, CGA by NielsenIQ, Euromonitor International.

The trend of premiumisation continues to gain momentum, reshaping consumer preferences and market dynamics alike. Premiumisation is not just about higher price tags but a broader shift towards quality, exclusivity, and storytelling. The global wine industry is also witnessing key trends that align with this premiumisation wave. This trend is evident in the resilience of premium bottle resale prices, even amidst fluctuating economic landscapes. Structural volume declines in mature markets are juxtaposed with a growing engagement among younger consumers who are willing to spend more for ‘less but better’ quality. The low-alcohol wine space and ecommerce are burgeoning sectors that reflect this premiumisation trend. Premiumisation surged during the Covid pandemic, and indicators suggest that this trend will continue as consumers increasingly view beverages as worth the extra expenditure. The spirits sector, in particular, has embraced premiumisation, fostering a sensible, moderate relationship with alcohol by focusing on quality over quantity. For a deeper read about the trend: https://lnkd.in/escfA9zE If you are a distributor, retailer, or hospitality professional, tell us what does this trend mean to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below! At #ProWine Singapore 2024 taking place from April 23 - 26. We bring producers, exhibitors, and buyers together in one of Singapore’s largest wine and spirits trade shows. Register for entry and masterclasses at https://lnkd.in/d3GK77GS #ProWineSG2024 #ProWineSingapore #industry #winebusiness #winetradefair #tradefair #wine #spirits #exhibitors #discoverybar #exhibition #wineretail #winedistributor #wineimporter #WineIndustry #EmergingMarkets #GlobalTrends #SpiritsIndustry #Champagne #Asia #MarketInsights #DrinkTrends2024 #WineAndSpirits

The mindful drinking and sober curious trend shows no signs of slowing down, and luxury brands are jumping on the bandwagon. Since high-end champagne brand Taittinger launched French Bloom, their popular alcohol-free sparkling wine in Paris in 2021, this aspect of the global market has witnessed a surge, fuelled by the 'mindful drinking' and 'sober curious' movements. In 2023, beer emerged as the undisputed leader, capturing 56% of the 'nolo' market - the world of wine however has presented a more complex challenge, but experts are predicting that it will be the new focus in 2024 as big brands turn towards this more premium end of the market. The main challenge seems to be whether it is possible to truly craft a no- or low-alcohol wine that maintains the essence of fine aroma and full body. It will be interesting to see if manufacturers can explore the delicate balance between flavour and alcohol content, as we navigate the evolving landscape where 'nolo' meets sophistication. Are you making the most of this shift in consumer habits and new purchasing behaviours, as zero alcohol gains more traction? For us, the jury might be out on whether we will be going beyond "Dry January" and permanently swapping non-alcoholic for our favourite tipple. However, with our expertise in consumer preferences when it comes to purchasing luxury goods we can help you find out whether your audience is a fan of "nolo" alcoholic drinks and if zero alcohol wine would be their beverage of choice. #noalcohol #luxurygoods #zeroalcohol #Insights #MRX

The world of spirits is ever-evolving, and one trend that's been making waves in India's alcohol beverage industry is the growing popularity of agave-based spirits. From the iconic Tequila Sunrise to the smooth elegance of Mezcal, agave-based drinks are captivating the palates of enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. As highlighted in a recent article by The Federal, the allure of agave-based spirits like Tequila and Mezcal is not just about their rich history and cultural significance but also their unique flavors and versatility in mixology. With their distinct profiles ranging from earthy and smoky to sweet and citrusy, these spirits offer endless possibilities for creative cocktail concoctions. “In the US, the growth of premium and super premium tequila has been fairly phenomenal in the past few years. A lot has been fuelled by celebrity attachment to Tequila”, explains Vikram Achanta, Co- founder of 30BestBars India and Tulleeho (a drinks education, training, and consulting firm) Join the conversation and discover more about the rise of tequila in India by reading the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dWxhVi3P Vikram Achanta #Tequila #Agavespirits #VikramAchanta #cocktails #Celebrities

The mindful drinking and sober curious trend shows no signs of slowing down, and luxury brands are jumping on the bandwagon. Since high-end champagne brand Taittinger launched French Bloom, their popular alcohol-free sparkling wine in Paris in 2021, this aspect of the global market has witnessed a surge, fuelled by the 'mindful drinking' and 'sober curious' movements. In 2023, beer emerged as the undisputed leader, capturing 56% of the 'nolo' market - the world of wine however has presented a more complex challenge, but experts are predicting that it will be the new focus in 2024 as big brands turn towards this more premium end of the market. The main challenge seems to be whether it is possible to truly craft a no- or low-alcohol wine that maintains the essence of fine aroma and full body. It will be interesting to see if manufacturers can explore the delicate balance between flavour and alcohol content, as we navigate the evolving landscape where 'nolo' meets sophistication. Are you making the most of this shift in consumer habits and new purchasing behaviours, as zero alcohol gains more traction? For us, the jury might be out on whether we will be going beyond "Dry January" and permanently swapping non-alcoholic for our favourite tipple. However, with our expertise in consumer preferences when it comes to purchasing luxury goods we can help you find out whether your audience is a fan of "nolo" alcoholic drinks and if zero alcohol wine would be their beverage of choice. #noalcohol #luxurygoods #zeroalcohol #Insights #MRX