While blended Scotch comprises
the majority of sales in the U.S.,
single malt sales are growing by
double-digit percentages, driven
by new, exciting expressions.
S
By Robert Plotkin
ingle malt Scotches are continuing to maintain
their solid growth. According to the Beverage
Information Group, the segment���s sales gained
8.4% in 2011 nationally, and followed that up with a
10.7% increase among the leading single malt brands in
2012. Overall, the Scotch category, including all blends
and single malts, actually gained 0.2% in 2012, to almost
8.6 million 9-liter cases, a welcome reversal from 2011���s
decline of 1.4%.
���Much of the reason for the uptick in Scotch malt
sales can be attributed to the steady stream of new and
exciting expressions,��� contends Brian Dvoret, Scotch
expert at International Beverage Company of Atlanta.
���Master distillers are continually looking to entice malt
enthusiasts by introducing older bottlings, more single
StateWays I www.stateways.com I March/April 2013
cask releases and whiskies
with compelling wood finishes. Although Scotch is a
mature category there is still
a great deal of innovation
happening. It���s a great time
for malt aficionados���values
are high and creativity is the
watchword.���
Two excellent examples
are the new single malts in
the Glengoyne range���
Glengoyne 15 Years Old
and the Glengoyne 18-Years
Old releases.
���We continuously look
at ways of improving our
single malt offerings and
believe the enhanced portfolio and premium packag-
Glengoyne 15 Years
Old Single Malt
Scotch.
ROBERT PLOTKIN is a judge at the San Francisco
World Spirits Competition and author of 16 books on
bartending and beverage management including Secrets
Revealed of America���s Greatest Cocktails. He can be
reached at www.AmericanCocktails.com or by e-mail at
robert@barmedia.com.
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