top of page

Insight of the Day: Irish whiskies are doing the unthinkable - adding flavors

The article from CNN discusses the growing trend of flavored Irish whiskey, a phenomenon that was once considered unthinkable in the industry. American and Canadian companies have long been producing flavored whiskeys such as Southern Comfort, Fireball, Crown Royal apple, and Knobb Creek maple. However, Irish distilleries have traditionally prided themselves on the quality and taste of their whiskey without the need for added flavors.

Despite initial hesitation from whiskey purists, Irish brands like Jameson and Proper No. Twelve have embraced the flavored whiskey trend by introducing products like Jameson Cold Brew and apple-flavored Proper No. Twelve. The flavored whiskey category has become a $1.5 billion market in the US, accounting for 20% of all whiskey sales.

Tullamore D.E.W., a 200-year-old Irish distillery, recently released its first flavored whiskey in the US with a honey-infused variant. This decision was influenced by the success of flavored American whiskeys like Jack Daniel's and Jim Beam. The company anticipates strong sales for their honey whiskey and plans to expand their flavored offerings in the future.

Overall, the rise of flavored Irish whiskey can be attributed to changing consumer preferences, particularly among younger drinkers who are more open to experimenting with different flavors. The introduction of flavored whiskeys serves as a gateway for new consumers to enter the whiskey category and has contributed to the industry's overall growth and innovation.

Comments


bottom of page