First Rare, Now 'Hot': The Macallan Is Named 2014 Hot Brand By Impact Magazine

Prestigious Award Recognizes Single Malt's Superior U.S. Sales Growth of 15.1%

News provided by

Mar 23, 2015, 10:00 ET

NEW YORK, March 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Macallan, Edrington's celebrated single malt Scotch whisky, has won the esteemed designation of 2014 Hot Brand by Impact Magazine, an honor bestowed on only a select few spirits every year. This prestigious achievement, awarded by M. Shanken Communications for remarkable sales growth and performance in the U.S. marketplace, will include recognition of the luxury spirit in both the March issue of Impact and the April issue of Market Watch, as well as honors at a cocktail reception and award presentation at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America convention April 12-15, 2015, in Orlando, Fla.

"From a consumer standpoint, meaningful luxury is in, and single malt Scotch has the credentials, authenticity and provenance to live in this space," says Raul Gonzalez, brand director for The Macallan. "Specifically for spirits, consumption of $100-and-above bottles increased by 60% in 2013, reflecting consumers' desire to invest in ultra-premium authentic brands."

As the second-largest single malt by volume in the U.S., The Macallan graduated from Impact's Hot Prospects list with 15.1% growth, to 214,000 cases last year. To earn Hot Brands status, spirits brands must have achieved double-digit growth in each of the past three years, or they must be established brands with at least 15% growth, or top-10 volume leaders with at least 5% growth in 2014 and at least 15% growth since 2011.

The single malt segment is enjoying solid progress, driven largely by The Macallan. With several high-end launches over the past few years, including that of The Macallan Rare Cask, a recently launched and highly coveted expression aged in the top 1% of Sherry oak barrels from The Macallan distillery, the brand's distinct reputation for uncompromising quality and distinguished, upscale positioning have become solidly established, and the future looks bright.

ABOUT THE MACALLAN
Founded in 1824 in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then it has built a reputation as one of the world's leading single malt whiskies. The creation of The Macallan draws on the vital contributing influences of Spain, North America and Scotland, and of their respective natural raw materials, combined with traditional methods and craftsmanship. From its founding, through the subsequent owners of The Macallan distillery in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and into the present century, The Macallan has been recognized for its outstanding quality above all else.

SOURCE The Macallan