… but of the delicious, tending to range around 40% ABV kind. Diageo, the multinational beverage company, who quite frankly (rightly or wrongly) dominates the alcohol drinks market with brands like Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Tanqueray said “consumers are increasingly choosing spirits”. So, there we go, no need to discuss further!!
But in all seriousness, why are people choosing spirits more? It definitely has a lot to do with the Gin "revolution" that has happened over the last 6 or so years.
The accessibility, the fact that brands no longer have to be just made by the big corporations to get out in the market and the consumer demand for more variety when they drink. Drinking alcohol (for a lot of people) is not about getting ‘drunk’ and losing yourself for a while, but because they enjoy the flavour, the physiological and psychological experience and the social aspect. With that, consumers have realised that they can do this more with spirits than with any other alcohol because of the higher ABV and the versatility of adding mixers, whether it be a classic tonic or in a cocktail.
Yes, there is the rise of no and low alcohol, which is fantastic, but spirits are most definitely here to stay. Plus, I think we will start to see some more interesting offerings on the table in the not so distance future.
Whiskey Bicycle: access your spirit