FDBusiness.com

Jameson Irish whiskey, which is produced by Irish Distillers at Midleton Distillery in Cork, has entered the top 10 of IMPACT magazine’s annual ‘Top 100 Premium Spirits Brands Worldwide’ list for the first time ever, after increasing sales 10% to a record 7.5 million nine-litre cases in 2018. In addition, Jameson scored its 18^th consecutive year on the title’s ‘Hot Brands’ in the USA list, delivering 9% growth in the market as an established brand over the same period.

Entering the top 10 marks a milestone for the brand, which has added more than 2.5 million cases and risen five places in the list over as many years according to IMPACT Databank, which publishes the report each year in collaboration with the international drinks trade media magazine. Up from 11^th place in 2018’s list, Jameson sits alongside Jägermeister in ninth and tenth place in the list, each reporting volume sales of 7.5 million nine-litre cases.

Conor McQuaid, chairman and chief executive of Irish Distillers.

Jameson is one of only two premium spirits brands in the top 10 to achieve ‘Hot Brand’ status – a curated list of brands that each sell a minimum of 200,000 cases in the USA and fulfil at least one of four sophisticated measurement methods designed by IMPACT*.

Conor McQuaid, chairman and chief executive of Irish Distillers, comments: “Jameson has been driving the growth of the category for the past 29 years and continues to lead the Irish whiskey renaissance around the world. The release of IMPACT magazine’s Top 100 and Hot Brands lists this year highlights the fact that Jameson now sells more than any Scotch whisky bar Johnnie Walker – further affirming the growing role and importance of Jameson and Irish whiskey on the global spirits stage.

“Jameson is going from strength to strength as whiskey drinkers seek out the smooth taste, approachability and Irish personality of Jameson. In the six months to the end of December 2018, Jameson grew value (+8%) with all regions contributing to this success. Standout regions where we expect future growth to come from included Sub-Saharan Africa, which saw 40% growth (excluding South Africa), and Asia, where India saw 50% growth.

“In addition to the brand reporting double- or triple-digit growth in more than 70 markets across the world, we are also increasingly seeing our super-premium Jameson Black Barrel and Jameson Caskmates whiskeys being selected as the category develops.”