Whiskies Top List of “Hot Prospect” Winners

From Shanken:

For the first time ever, whiskies comprise the highest number of  brands of any category in Impact’s spirits “Hot Prospect” rankings.  Seven whisk(e)y brands earned Hot Prospect honors this year, narrowly  edging out the vodka category, which had six entries.

The winning whiskies are Woodford Reserve Bourbon from Brown-Forman,  Pendleton Canadian whisky from Hood River Distillers, Bulleit Bourbon  from Diageo North America, Glenmorangie  single malt Scotch from Moët  Hennessy USA, The Balvenie single malt Scotch from William Grant &  Sons USA, Devil’s Cut Bourbon from Beam Inc. and Seagram’s 7 Dark Honey  from Diageo North America.

Brands qualifying as Hot Prospects must have posted at least 15%  depletions growth in 2011 while also showing consistent growth in 2009  and 2010. Brand volumes must be at least 50,000 cases but not more than  200,000 cases. New products can also qualify as Hot Prospects if they  pass the 50,000-case mark in their first year.

Impact named a total of 26 spirits Hot Prospect winners. The vodka  entries were Rökk, Ursus and Godiva from Diageo North America, Pucker  from Beam Inc., Exclusiv from Serge Imports and Cupcake from the Wine  Group’s Underdog Wine & Spirits unit.

The Hot Prospect winners also included five liqueur brands (Patrón  Citronge and Patrón XO Café from the Patrón Spirits Co., Evan Williams  Honey Reserve from Heaven Hill Distilleries, St-Germain from Maison 6ème  Arr. and RumChata from Agave Loco Brands); three Tequilas (Milagro from  William Grant, Lunazul from Heaven Hill and Zarco from Proximo); three  prepared cocktail brands (Malibu Ready-to-Drink from Pernod Ricard,  Twisted Shotz from Independent Distillers USA and UV Cocktails from  Phillips Distilling Co.); one rum (The Kraken from Proximo); and one gin  (Hendrick’s from William Grant & Sons USA).

Diageo North America led all companies with five Hot Prospect winners  (Rökk, Bulleit, Ursus, Godiva, and Seagram’s 7 Dark Honey). William   Grant & Sons USA came in second with three winners (Hendrick’s,  Milagro and The Balvenie).

For a complete list and analysis of Impact’s spirits and wine Hot Prospects, see Impact’s September 1&15 issue.