Impact Databank: Irish Whiskey Aims To Regain Momentum
After consecutive annual declines, this year the Irish whiskey category is aiming to regain its decades-long momentum in the U.S.—bucking challenges including the current inflationary environment, inventory adjustments, and the threat of tariffs.
As recently as 10 years ago, Irish whiskey was at less than three million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank. It’s now in position to potentially climb back above five million cases by next year. Irish whiskey remains a lucrative sector for the spirits industry, as its average price tag is exceeded only by Cognac, Scotch whisky, and Tequila.
Pernod Ricard’s Jameson dominates the category with over 75% share—its underlying sell-out trends have been improving in the U.S. lately, the company said recently, buttressed by innovation efforts. Jameson’s Triple Triple variant debuted late last year and depleted nearly 9,000 cases at a suggested retail price of $29 a 750-ml. bottle. The franchise also received a boost from its Orange Citrus RTDs, which had first-full-year volumes of 38,000 cases, according to Impact Databank.
Pernod Ricard’s second-largest Irish whiskey is single pot still brand Redbreast, which last year released a new 18-year-old extension ($250 a bottle) and limited-release variant Tawny Port Cask Edition ($100). Redbreast has seen recent success from its American Oak Series of whiskies, whose Missouri Oak expression ranked among Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 last year, as well as the PX Edition. And within its Spot range of upscale Irish whiskies, Pernod Ricard registered gains in 2024 from Red Spot and Gold Spot, according to Impact Databank.
Fourth-ranked Bushmills from Proximo Spirits launched a limited-release 46-year old whiskey earlier this year called “Secrets of the River Bush,” with each 46.3% abv bottle retailing for $12,500. But the only brand among the five largest Irish whiskies in the U.S. to register growth last year was William Grant’s Tullamore Dew, which increased both in the U.S. and worldwide, including solid gains in global travel retail and various European markets. Tullamore Dew also received a boost in 2024 from its Honey liqueur variant, according to Impact Databank.—Juan Banaag
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Tagged : Bushmills, Jameson, Pernod Ricard, Proximo, Redbreast, the Spots, Tullamore DEW, William Grant & Sons
