So what’s the best selling bourbon in the world? According to data compiled by The Spirits Business for world-wide liquor case sales for 2020, the number one selling bourbon (brand) in the world is Jim Beam, which is not so closely followed by Evan Williams. Then it is Maker’s Mark, Bulleit, Wild Turkey and Woodford. (Source vinepair.com)
How Much Bourbon Did They Sell?
While other expressions are included in the tally, Jim Beam 80 proof “White Label” and Evan Williams 86 Proof “Black Label” likely account for the lion’s share of sales for each brand. The Jim Beam line racked up 10.7 million (9 liter) cases in 2020 compared to Evan Williams’ 3 million cases. So, Beam has quite the lead. However, both still lag behind the overall leader in the American whiskey category. That title belongs to Jack Daniel’s with 12.3 million cases sold. Surprisingly, JD’s total was actually down from 13.4 million cases the preceding year. So, even though Jack Daniel’s is technically bourbon, since it considers itself a Tennessee Whiskey, that leaves Jim Beam the worldwide leader in the bourbon category.
Things Are A Little Different Over At Drizly
From a different perspective, Fred Minnick’s report on bourbon sales based on data from Drizly tells a bit of a different story. However, the Drizly data is based on the dollar value of bourbon sold, not the volume. The Drizly data is also based on Drizly’s own sales, which of course reflects a certain demographic and only includes stores in the Drizly network. So that data has inherent bias and is only marginally comparable to The Spirits Business’ data. But, it’s interesting none the less. For the 2nd quarter of 2021 the top 5 bourbons were: Bulleit, Maker’s, Woodford, Jim Beam and Basil Hayden. Evan Williams was 7th.
For Drizly’s whiskey sales overall, bevalcinsights.com reports (also using Drizly’s data) that for 2020, Bulleit Bourbon topped the list. It was followed by Jameson, Maker’s, Jack & Woodford. Fireball came in 8th overall, so there’s a little insight into Drizly’s customer base, to put things in perspective.
What About The Best Selling Whiskey in the World?
So, we’ve looked at the best selling bourbon in the world and the best selling American whiskey in the world. When looking at the overall world whiskey (or more appropriately for this section, whisky) sales in general, the numbers tell a different story. The leading whiskey brands worldwide by volume are overwhelmingly not from the US. In fact, they are probably brands that most Americans have never heard of, and also include spirits that would not necessarily qualify as whiskey in the US or UK. Nonetheless, their sales completely overshadow the sales volumes of the largest American brands.
The top 10 whiskey brands worldwide in 2020 were (numbers are sales in millions of 9 liter cases): McDowells No 1 (India 25.7), Imperial Blue (India 21.3), Officer’s Choice (India 20.8), Royal Stag (India 18.5), Johnnie Walker (Scotland 14.1), Jack Daniels (USA 12.3), Jim Beam (USA 10.7), Haywards Fine (India 9.7), 8 PM (India 10), Crown Royal (Canada 8.1), Jameson (Ireland 7.7). Believe it or not, most of those numbers were down considerably from the prior year. (Based on Statista.com and TheSpiritsBusiness.com)
Now, Back to the Best Selling Bourbon
So, back to the best selling bourbon in the world: Jim Beam and Evan Williams. Are you a fan of these bourbons? Check out my Jim Beam Bourbon review and stay tuned for my Evan Williams Bourbon review, coming soon! Cheers!🥃
Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us?? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the world of bourbon, I delve into the intricacies of the best-selling bourbon brands globally, backed by a comprehensive understanding of the industry and its nuances. The data presented by The Spirits Business for the year 2020 provides valuable insights into the leading bourbon brands, with Jim Beam emerging as the top-selling bourbon worldwide, closely followed by Evan Williams.
The figures reveal that Jim Beam's 80 proof "White Label" and Evan Williams' 86 Proof "Black Label" are the primary contributors to their respective brand sales. In 2020, Jim Beam achieved an impressive 10.7 million cases, overshadowing Evan Williams, which sold 3 million cases. While these numbers position Jim Beam as the leader in the bourbon category, it's noteworthy that both brands fall behind Jack Daniel's in the American whiskey category, with Jack Daniel's selling 12.3 million cases in the same period.
However, a shift in perspective emerges when examining data from Drizly, which focuses on the dollar value of bourbon sales rather than volume. The top 5 bourbons on Drizly in the 2nd quarter of 2021 were Bulleit, Maker's, Woodford, Jim Beam, and Basil Hayden, with Evan Williams ranking 7th. This data introduces an interesting contrast to The Spirits Business' findings and highlights the impact of different methodologies and demographic biases.
Moreover, the article touches on the global whiskey landscape, showcasing the dominance of non-U.S. brands in worldwide sales. The top 10 whiskey brands in 2020 include familiar names like Johnnie Walker and Jack Daniels, but the list is predominantly led by Indian and other international brands, emphasizing the global nature of the whiskey market.
In conclusion, the article not only explores the best-selling bourbons but also provides a broader view of the whiskey industry, incorporating diverse data sources and perspectives. This nuanced analysis sets the stage for further exploration into individual bourbon reviews, distilleries, and the overall bourbon lifestyle, making it a valuable resource for bourbon enthusiasts and those seeking a comprehensive understanding of the market.
