Market Watch April 2024

It’s been a tricky time for the drinks business over the past year, as comps with the previous two years are still a bit distorted from the effects of Covid-19, when retailers experienced outsized leaps in sales volume. But there are also some economic headwinds out there, making this year’s crop of “Hot Brands” all the more impressive. Looking across the categories, what trends did we see? For starters, the rise of spirits-based RTDs continues apace, altering the spirits side of the business in a pretty big way. What was once a small side category is now big business, with more RTD brands winning Hot Brand status than regular, botted 750-ml. products. Whether ready-to-drink, ready-to-serve, or whatever you might call it, this subcategory now has a prominent place at the…

Constellation’s New President Of Wine and Spirits…. Constellation Brands has appointed Sam Glaetzer as the company’s new executive vice president and president of the wine and spirits division, effective immediately. Glaetzer succeeds Robert Hanson, who previously held the role. Glaetzer will also serve as a member of Constellation’s executive management committee. “Sam is a well-rounded senior leader with a wealth of experience in wine and spirits and a successful track record of driving commercial and operational efficiency and effectiveness,” says Bill Newlands, president and CEO at Constellation. “Now that our strategic wine and spirits brand portfolio transformation is largely complete, and as we turn our focus more squarely towards strong commercial and operational execution for this business, Sam is uniquely equipped to lead our wine and spirits division at this pivotal…

Las Vegas: Nevada Welcomes Its First Cannabis Consumption Lounge Following years of planning and regulatory compliance checks, Las Vegas welcomed its first public cannabis consumption lounge in February with the debut of Smoke and Mirrors in downtown Sin City. The venue offers an array of THC-infused cocktails, allowing guests to choose their potency ($19 for drinks made with 2.5-mg.; $23 for drinks made with 5-mg.). The drinks menu ranges from the Daiquiri-inspired The Godfather, made with Sobreo Vietnamese Star Anise non-alcoholic mixer, blueberry purée, lime and pineapple juices, agave nectar, and basil, to the Margarita-style Mr. Brightside, comprising Sobreo Valencia Orange non-alcoholic mixer, watermelon and lime juices, and Tajín spices. Smoke and Mirrors also lists a variety of cannabis-infused coffees, including espressos, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and lattes ($7-$10). The lounge has…

Macallan Home Collection, River Spey Edrington has announced The Macallan Home Collection, River Spey, its latest single malt Scotch whisky celebrating the brand’s estate and its surrounding environment. The release ($487 a 750-ml.), the second in the collection, is bottled at 44.8% abv and blended from a selection of Sherry-seasoned European and American oak casks, as well as refill casks. River Spey is now available for pre-order through the brand’s website. For more information, visit Themacallan.com. Port Charlotte 18-Year-Old Bruichladdich, part of the Rémy Cointreau portfolio, has released an 18-year-old version of Port Charlotte, its oldest expression yet. Port Charlotte 18-year-old ($199 a 750-ml.) is made from 100% Scottish barley; the whisky was distilled in 2004, bottled at 54.3% abv, and is a limited release of 6,000 bottles. It’s available…

In a space dominated by cocktails, wine continues to chug along in bars, making an impact for venues that offer a varied list of glass pours. This is especially true in hotel bars, where the clientele turns over regularly. Many hotel bars are seeing interest in lesser-known wine varietals and styles, as consumers seek out diverse labels and new wine experiences. “We’ve noticed a shift in wine preferences at our bar,” says Nathan Goings, a bartender at Marigold by Jean-Georges at the Keswick Hall Resort in Charlottesville, Virginia. “Patrons are embracing more adventurous choices and leaning toward lesser-known varietals. Sancerre and Sauvignon Blanc are taking the spotlight, and there’s been a decline in requests for oaky Chardonnay. We’ve also observed a growing interest in orange and natural wines, reflecting a…

Each year, Impact salutes the top-performing brands across the industry with its “Hot Brand” awards. This year, the Hot Brand roster includes 50 fast-growing brands from the wine, spirits, and spirits-based RTD categories. There are three ways to qualify as an Impact Hot Brand: A contender must have shown double-digit growth in each year from 2021-2023, or be an established player with at least 15% growth in 2023, or be a top ten brand with at least 5% growth in 2023 and 15% growth since 2020. The minimum volume requirement for spirits and imported wines is 200,000 cases, while domestic wines and RTDs must meet a threshold of 250,000 cases. In 2023, the U.S. spirits market faced headwinds amid post-pandemic normalization, as consumer purchasing returned to more predictable patterns. These…