Sustainability
Gin
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42 CATEGORY FOCUS Gin
Ginius ideas!
With lockdown accelerating the trend for premium beverages at home, stocking a strong range of botanical beauties such as the well-respected brands listed here, will help satisfy demand from discerning customers looking for a little ‘ginspiration’!
D
uring a tough year, sales of alcohol in supermarkets surged as consumers looked to keep spirits high throughout lockdown periods. Indeed, a July 2020 report from Kantar stated that sales of alcohol in supermarkets grew by 76% in just 12 weeks. Gin has proven itself to be the choice of many. According to Nielsen, over the full eight-week period from 9 March to 3 May 2020, purchases of gin in offlicences increased 38%. In fact, the IWSR forecast both whisky and gin to rebound fastest to pre-
Covid-19 levels. The gin market has been growing in Ireland for some time. Figures from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis suggest that gin continued to rack up sales in 2019, with volumes rising 4.6%. Gin’s share of the spirits market sits at 14.4%, making it the third most popular spirit behind vodka and Irish whiskey. Over the last four years, gin recorded compound annual growth of 28.2%. Today, a third of the world’s best-selling cocktails are gin-based. Speaking to Drinks Industry
Reaping rewards and awards!
to capture silver and gold. Most recently awarded at the San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2021, it has earned a total of six gin awards internationally. Grace O’Malley Heather Infused Irish Gin wins its predominant flavour from the beautiful bell shape flowers of heather, in full pink and purple bloom in springtime. Featuring a total of 14 botanicals, its defining aromatics include wild thyme, red clover, blackthorn, fraughan and rock samphire, all found in abundance along the Wild Atlantic Way, celebrating Grace’s territory on land and by sea. Rounded and balanced, made in traditional style with modern distillation techniques, Grace O’Malley Heather Infused Irish Gin delivers a true taste intensity and a wonderfully fresh, floral finish. It retails at €35 RRP and is available from SuperValu and leading off-licenses nationwide. Brave, bold and irresistible, Grace O’Malley Irish Whiskey and Grace O’Malley Heather Infused Gin are inspired by the many stories from Granuaile’s long and fascinating life to ensure the legend lives on and
Grace O’Malley Heather Infused Irish Gin, created in honour of one of Ireland’s greatest treasure hunters, Grace O’Malley the Irish pirate queen, continues
Grace O’Malley Heather Infused Irish Gin retails at €35 RRP
ShelfLife April 2021 | www.shelflife.ie
Ireland last year, Richard Corbett, senior market analyst for Ireland, UK and the Nordics at IWSR said premium and super premium gins have been outpacing the standard gin segment. “This premiumisation process has accelerated since lockdown,” said Corbett, adding that those not economically impacted by
the crisis could be encouraged to upgrade to a more premium product. Meanwhile, data suggest that Irish gin drinkers are likely to be more affluent types between 25 and 40, with a bias towards women. With many eyes on the sector, here we will look at the latest offerings from the biggest brands.
her great, rebellious heart is never forgotten. Celebrating female leadership through rebellious spirit, the brand honours Grace O’Malley, regarded as not just one of Ireland’s but the world’s, most inspirational and extraordinary
female trailblazers.For further information, see www.graceomalleywhiskey.com. From the West Coast of Ireland to treasure hunters around the world, the brand’s pithy message is ‘Sláinte and #BelieveInGrace!’
Featuring a total of 14 botanicals, the defining aromatics of Grace O’Malley Heather Infused Irish Gin include wild thyme, red clover, blackthorn, fraughan and rock samphire
