CGA strategy CEO Phil Tate explained that the mainstream acceptance of premium brands had led to a new trend for ‘super premiumisation’ and pointed to agave tequila and boutique gins as key examples.
Speaking about the growing popularity of luxury gin, director general of the Gin Guild Nicholas Cook said: “Consumers, having embraced gin as a spirit with an individual character and flavour, now go out of their way to seek specific brands of gin for their drinks, whether that’s for a gin and tonic or in a cocktail.
“This often involves them choosing a premium and super premium gins. It appears to be a case of drinking less, but drinking better. Premium gin sales now make up more than a quarter of the overall market.”
Research also showed that non-premium spirits sales are still looking healthy, with tequila and malt whiskey sales up 25% and 21% respectively. The classic Mojito emerged as the nation’s favourite cocktail, closely followed by Sex on the Beach and Woo Woo.
Craft beer’s moment in the sun shows no sign of slowing, with the number of venues now stocking the beverage jumping to 32,164, a 13% increase.