The Demand for High-Quality Craft Spirits is Tremendously Rising: Here are the Latest Trends
Craft spirits are all the rage among discerning consumers, and they are expected to achieve a market share of almost 14% by 2025. Their growth is currently outpacing that of non-craft spirits, owing to a big demand for unique bottles that are perfect for wowing guests at a dinner party. If you are a craft spirit drinker yourself, and you’d like to ensure you’re up-to-date on all the latest developments in the industry, read on!
Flavored Whiskey
Over the past decade, flavored whiskey has risen dramatically in popularity, going from a small whiskey subcategory to a major player in the spirits sector. In the year 2020, for instance, over 16 million cases of flavored whiskey were sold in the US, compared to only two million 10 years previously. Some of the most popular flavors on the scene include cinnamon, apple, peanut butter, American honey, and fire-flavored whiskey. The latter, as its name would suggest, contains spicy notes like clove, cinnamon bark, and ground cinnamon.
Fruity Vodkas
When it comes to craft vodka, it’s all about upping the freshness factor. Simple and fruity is the secret combination that makes this beverage work for trendy urbanites gathering in city bars, and dinner party hosts alike. The smoothness that can be achieved by a combination like apple and potato spirit, for instance, is unrivalled. Citrus, spicy, and herbal flavors are also big in the vodka world. Grapefruit, lemon, cranberry, chili, and wild berry are adding a summery touch to this drink for all seasons. Vodka is also making an appearance in hard seltzers, some of which are infused with unique flavors like pickle, cucumber, rose petal, and coffee.
Agave-Based Craft Spirits
Agave-based spirits (including tequila, mescal, and raicilla) are also craved by consumers. New data from the IWSR (the leading source of analysis on the alcohol beverage market) indicates that Americans will spend more money on tequila and mescal in 2022 than they will on whiskey. These spirits are making their way into homes thanks to celebrities, many of which have started their own craft brands. Agave spirits are also a key component of ready-to-drink products, as well as originally flavored bottles. Tequila, for instance, can currently be found in flavors like coconut, orange, pineapple, mango, and fruit-and-jalapeño.
Regional Botanicals
Spirits like gin are being given a special, premium touch through the use of regional botanicals. Juniper has been queen in the gin world for centuries, but today, its rivals include coriander, citrus fruits, cucumber, cardamom, and lavender. Botanical gins made with organic ingredients are also highly favored, largely owing to the stark new warnings about global warming given at the COP26 conference in Glasgow. Trending craft gin companies are not only creating blends with organic ingredients, but also seeking to lower their carbon footprint through the use of recyclable packaging material and the reliance on renewable energies.
The craft spirit world is more exciting than it ever has been. Top trends in the sector include flavored whiskey, fruity vodka, and agave-based spirits. Regional botanicals and bottles with a lower carbon footprint are also holding sway among environmentally conscious buyers.
