Loading...
To view this email as a web page, go here |
Sign up for Shanken News Daily | Forward to a Colleague | Visit ShankenNewsDaily.com
Visit: WineSpectator.com | CigarAficionado.com | WhiskyAdvocate.com | Market Watch | Impact Newsletter | Impact Databank
Follow Shanken News Daily on: Twitter Facebook
Cream liqueurs were collectively down 1.5% to about 3.2 million nine-liter cases in the U.S. market last year, according to Impact Databank, out of a total liqueurs category that fell 2% to 18.8 million cases. However, in the year-to-date through October, the category saw a turnaround in control states, rising 2.7%, and market leader Baileys is on track to post positive growth for the first time in several years.
After years of declines, Baileys is projected to grow 2% in 2016 to 1.3 million cases, according to Impact Databank. New extensions, such as this fall’s Pumpkin Spice ($25) and test trials of a dairy- and gluten-free Almande expression ($21) this summer, have helped to fuel the rebound. The Diageo brand’s portfolio also includes Salted Caramel, Vanilla Cinnamon, Chocolate Cherry and Espresso Crème flavors in addition to the core Original Irish Cream.
The U.S. market’s second-leading cream liqueur, RumChata, has been slowing after a period of meteoric growth. Marketed by Agave Loco Brands, RumChata rose from 17,000 cases in 2010 to more than half a million cases just four years later. Commanding a 16.3% share of the cream liqueurs segment, the brand has found success with tie-ins to flavored whiskies like Fireball and more recently Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey and Tennessee Fire. Lately, though, growth has been tougher to achieve, and RumChata is projected to rise just 1% to 530,000 cases for 2016.
Other leading cream liqueur brands are likewise looking for newfound momentum. Campari America’s Carolans, ranked third, was down 3.9% to 366,000 cases last year, while E.&J. Cask & Cream fell 13.5% to 320,000 cases. On the positive side, Luxco’s St. Brendan’s, ranked fifth, grew 6% to above 150,000 cases.
Despite the uncertain climate, a number of smaller brands are eyeing expansion within the category. California’s Infinium Spirits has expanded Kerrygold Irish Cream liqueur ($25) to 36 states, with 20 states added just this year. Meanwhile, in August Chicago’s SomPriya Fine Spirits partnered with L&B USA to boost distribution of its Somrus cream liqueur brand ($25), a blend of almond, pistachio, rose, dairy cream and rum with spices such as cardamom and saffron. And this fall, Tennessee’s Sugarlands Distilling launched an Appalachian Sippin’ Creams range that includes Dark Chocolate Coffee Cream and Butter Pecan (both $25).
•After heating up again earlier this year, the battle between Bacardi Ltd. and Pernod Ricard over the Havana Club rum trademark rages on. In January, in a surprise move, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) recognized Cuban government partner Pernod Ricard as the owner of the Havana Club brand in the U.S., and subsequently allowed Pernod to renew the trademark for a period of 10 years. In response, Bacardi filed suit in U.S. District Court, claiming it’s the rightful owner of the brand, having purchased the rights from the Arechabalas—the family that founded Havana Club and fled Cuba during the revolution. Later in the year, Bacardi doubled down, launching its Puerto Rico-produced Havana Club rum into national distribution, backed by a new advertising campaign. This Sunday, January 1, 60 Minutes will delve into the charged topic with a special report titled “The Rum War,” airing on CBS at 7:30 p.m. Eastern and 7 p.m. Pacific.
•Oceanside, California’s Mason Ale Works is launching its core lineup of craft beers in canned format. Charley Hustle Red IPA, Jambi IPA, Willy Time Belgian-Style White and Cash Imperial Coffee Stout are all debuting in cans. Meanwhile, Mason is releasing a new limited-edition Second Son American Strong Ale as the first offering its in its Snale Works barrel-aged program. The 14%-abv beer is a blend of Cash Imperial Coffee Stout and American Barleywine that is aged in Elijah Craig 12-year-old Bourbon barrels. Mason Ale is part of 3 Local Brothers LLC, which also operates The Barrel Room wine bar and bistro, Brothers Provisions and Urge Gastropubs.
•Covington, Kentucky-based Braxton Brewing Company is rolling out Spotlight White IPA as its first canned seasonal for 2017. The 6.0%-abv release is 100% Citra hopped and brewed with orange peel and coriander. The first in a series of four new packaged beers from Braxton for 2017, Spotlight will be available in six-packs of 12-ounce cans starting the first week of January throughout northern Kentucky, Cincinnati, Dayton, Lexington and Louisville.
Get the latest edition of Shanken's Impact Newsletter, providing in-depth news and research about the beverage alcohol industry.
Subscribe today and you'll receive every issue in both print and digital format.
For a complete listing of M. Shanken Communications events or to register, click here.
Got a story idea, or general comments about this newsletter?
Contact our editors David Fleming, Peter Zwiebach, and Daniel Marsteller at:
shankennewsdaily@mshanken.com
Share this newsletter via: Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Twitter
For advertising information, contact Steve Senatore (ssenatore@mshanken.com)
Unsubscribe | Forward to a Friend | Manage your newsletter subscription
Copyright 2016 M. Shanken Communications, Inc.
825 Eighth Avenue, 33rd Floor New York NY 10019
Loading...
Loading...