The US Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) recently released their reports on sales for spirits in 2011. The findings show that Irish whiskey has outsold single malt Scotch in the US.
Just-Drinks reports that with the new sales figures , the United States has now become a key battle ground where Irish whiskey outsells single malt Scotch.
During the calendar year of 2011, Irish whiskey sales rose by 24% to 1.7m nine-litre cases, while Scotch single malt whisky sales increased by only 9.5% to 1.4m cases.
According to Just-Drinks, Ireland’s beloved Jameson brand whiskey is helping to bolster the upward growth of sales.
What’s driving the growth of Irish whiskey sales? “Irish whiskey is enjoying a renaissance at the moment. The bigger companies have come in with enough commercial muscle to expand production, sales and grow the brands,” said Kieran Tobin, chairman of the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland.
Similarly, younger American generations seem to be discovering and enjoying Irish whiskey’s “smooth and sweet texture.”
“On the other hand, let's not get carried away,” writes Chris Mercer for Just-Drink. “If blended Scotch is included in the Scotch figures then one can add a further 6m cases to Scotch sales. Include bulk, bottled malt and grain Scotch, too, and the total Scotch figure is 9m cases.”
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Read More:
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With the recent purchase of Cooley by Beam, Inc, all of the major distilleries in Ireland are now under foreign ownership.
“Pernod Ricard owns Irish Distillers, which produces the most popular Irish whiskey brand, Jameson, at its Midleton distillery. Diageo bought Bushmills in 2005 and the Scottish company William Grant & Sons purchased Tullamore Dew in 2010,” reports the Financial Times.
Which do you prefer - Irish whiskey or Scotch?
Here's Jamesons more popular advert:
25 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.garm | Jun 12, 2012, 09:16 AM EDT
I think this is a non news story. Irish blends and single malt outsells Scottish single malt... yeah but if you add in Scottish blends to make it a fair comparison, 9m Scottish cases beats 1.4m Irish cases by a huge amount. No? Am I the only one who actually read the report? Hey it's all a matter of personal taste that some of you prefer the Irish stuff, good for you and good for the Irish whiskey industry but really the way the figures are portrayed is massively misleading. Me personally, I'll drink whisky from any country if I enjoy the taste.
johnshiel | Feb 08, 2012, 11:18 AM EST
my imppression: redbreast is a jameson product. any backup on this? great tip: I clicked around on videos re irish whiskeys and came upon a beauty for johnny walker; 7 min long or so, but brilliantly done and perfect blend of info and entertainment, it's called "the man who walked around the world". you'll love it, i predict.
mollysdee | Feb 07, 2012, 05:34 PM EST
Bushmills is my Irish (or any) whiskey of choice. But maybe it's because my dear old Irish ma introduced it to me on a trip to Ireland and a visit to the Bushmills Distillary. Never could understand the excitement about Scotch.
Eglan | Feb 06, 2012, 06:05 PM EST
After 10 years of drinking and collecting whiskies, primarily Scotch, I started boycotting Scotch the day the Scottish government decided to release that Libyan terrorist, Al Megrahi, from prison and return him to Libya in exchange for an oil deal from Qaddafi. The only form of protest I had against such a heinous and cynical move was to stop buying all the Scotches that I enjoyed so much--I openly swore a boycott until either the "terminally ill" Megrahi (who is still alive and well, BTW) or his boss, Qaddafi, were dead. I switched to Irish whiskey and have never looked back, even now that Qaddafi has gone to his reward. Sorry Scotland, decisions have consequences.
bostonrugby | Feb 04, 2012, 08:37 PM EST
I work in the business (distribution end) and have a penchant for Cooley, however I can attest to the popularity of the Jameson brand.( this article does not mention that Lady Gaga drinks the stuff and regularly mentions the brand in her comments). As for Scotch there is a general shortage of the stuff as the Chinese are grabbing as much as they can get their hands on.
seanomelb | Feb 04, 2012, 04:27 PM EST
My good doctor it's all academic and a matter of taste.The triple disstilled Irish whiskey leaves scotch draining on the dirty old peat from wihch it is distilled.I prefer a Jamesons 18yr.old myself
maxriley | Feb 04, 2012, 12:57 PM EST
While Jameson is a very fine whiskey,When I drink whiskey I perfer John Powers,stay thirsty my friend!!!
OleSarge | Feb 04, 2012, 11:03 AM EST
Before Prohibition, if you asked for whiskey in a bar, you got Irish. During Prohibition Joe Kennedy (father of John, Bobby and Ted) cornered the Scotch whiskey market). After Prohibition the whiskey of choice was what was available, Scotch. Joe Kennedy drove us to this sorry state.
DrTrelawney | Feb 04, 2012, 10:18 AM EST
I get the sense that a lot of people are missing a crucial piece of information here. Irish Whiskey is not outselling Scotch; it is outselling Scotch SINGLE MALT. Single malts are luxury, niche brands that -- given their high price -- do not occupy the same market as mid-price brands such as Irish whiskey. As the article clarifies, Blended Scotch such as Johnny Walker, Haig or whatever still sells about five times as many bottles as Irish Whiskey. (If you add in malts the Caledonian domination is even more stark.) For the record, I think regular Irish Whiskey is better than blended Scotch, but no spirit can compete for complexity with the best Scottish Malts: Laphroaig, the Macallen, Ardbeg, Belvenie etc. Pleasant, but one-note, quality Irish brands such as Black Bush, Jameson 12 Year Old or Powers Reserve are not even at the races.
JBRAFTREE | Feb 04, 2012, 06:59 AM EST
Murph, not too young now!!! I've been told by many that I look at least 20 yrs younger than I am. I attribute that to good genes, Black white frothy stuff, and my "Jamie'.
SusanByron | Feb 04, 2012, 04:46 AM EST
Not in the least bit surprised, Jamesons is an excellent whiskey and top seller in Ireland
Jamcelt | Feb 04, 2012, 04:23 AM EST
Like all things Scottish, their whiskey is just a copy of all things Irish. Now they think they can be independent as well......
Murph46 | Feb 03, 2012, 08:56 PM EST
Cripes JB you just now tellin me that more Jameson"s would have kept me YOUNG!Gotta make up for lost time now!
canadianirish | Feb 03, 2012, 08:45 PM EST
Jameson's is #1!!!!
faberm1 | Feb 03, 2012, 07:11 PM EST
As much as I love all things Irish I must admit..... is fearr liom uisce Albanach. (I prefer Scotch Whisky). Not sure why exactly...I guess it was cuz Glenlivet was my first Whisky experience.
JBRAFTREE | Feb 03, 2012, 06:37 PM EST
Murph, Keeps on the easy side of health issues and the general uneasyness that nasty old age brings.
Murph46 | Feb 03, 2012, 05:05 PM EST
jb-Not sure if I was ever an ad for keeping the madness away if you know what I mean!
JBRAFTREE | Feb 03, 2012, 04:43 PM EST
Outstanding Ad!!!! I would've done the same. I buy my "Jamie" about once every 3 weeks. Great in morning tea on these cold mornings, and brilliant in coffee before Mass with brown sugar and heavy cream. (Just one though, maybe two). A jar or two during the week keeps madness away.
Murph46 | Feb 03, 2012, 04:10 PM EST
Good old uische beatha My son's bought me a bottle of Middleton's for a birthday-great ! I do love my Jameson's.My favorite question to a lass is-Have you taken a walk on the wild side with an Irisman and a bottle of Jameson's?Seamus I love your list and will try as many as I can get-thanks!
SeamusMartin | Feb 03, 2012, 03:14 PM EST
Tullamore Dew, Jameson's, Bushmills, Michael Collins, Paddy, JL Sullivan, Connemara, Tyrconnell, John Powers, Clontarf, Slane Castle, Midleton, Danny Boy, Kilbeggan, Kappogue Castle, Kellan -- they all be great! Spread the word. Irish whiskey was thee whiskey in the States prior to prohibition. It's coming back to its rightful place now thru proper comparison. Ah, the "breath of life". Sla'inte to ya all! PS -- I know one can get Paddy's in Minnesota, maybe Canada soon.
auldphart | Feb 03, 2012, 02:57 PM EST
Paddy is a great whiskey. It's a pity we can't get it here in Canada. Only when my daughter comes home and if she can find it @ Heathrow do I get it. Tullamore Dew & Red Breast are grand also & available here plus Jameson
porkheaven | Feb 03, 2012, 01:58 PM EST
Jameson's
Murph46 | Feb 03, 2012, 10:43 AM EST
shmrck55 What makes Red Breast so good,not sure as I have seen it at liquor store in US.Am interested in it.Compare it to Jameson's if you will please!
Shmrck5S | Feb 03, 2012, 10:37 AM EST
Red Breast Irish Whiskey-nothing finer!
Murph46 | Feb 03, 2012, 10:23 AM EST
Hooray! Hooray! You've made my day. Go Jameson's!