UPSCALE WHISKIES DOMINATE IMPACT’S “HOT PROSPECTS” SPIRITS AWARDS

The surge in brown spirits across the U.S. market is in evidence on this year’s Impact “Hot Prospects” spirits list, which is highlighted by numerous super-premium brands from multiple segments of the whisk(e)y category. Whiskies account for more than a third of the 21 Hot Prospect spirits brands this year—including three Bourbons, two single malt Scotches, two Canadian whiskies and one Irish whiskey—and nearly all of the above boast price points firmly at the premium end of the spectrum. Beam Suntory markets all three Hot Prospect Bourbons—Devil’s Cut, Maker’s 46 and Basil Hayden—while Edrington Group’s Macallan and Moët Hennessy USA’s Glenmorangie represent single malt Scotch. From the Canadian whisky segment, Pernod Ricard’s Wiser’s and Mexcor’s Select Club earned honors, and William Grant & Sons’ Tullamore D.E.W. made the grade in the fast-rising Irish whiskey category.