Sales of Scotch whisky continue to remain strong even after the recent pandemic and there are some very recognisable, and some not so recognisable to British drinkers, on the best seller list.
According to the Spirits Business Brand Champions Report, the top 10 best-selling Scotch whiskies in the world (listed in order of their nine-litre-case sales) haven't changed compared to 2020. Diageo's flagship blend Johnnie Walker remains the top seller worldwide but what about the rest?
Here at the top 10 according to the latest data.
10. J & B
With sales of cases rising from 2.3m in 2020 to 2.8m in 2021, the Diageo-owned Justerini & Brooks, more commonly known as J&B, stays in 10th place.
9. Dewar's
Another brand that witnessed a boost in sales over the past year is Dewar's, with the Bacardi brand selling 300k more cases than in 2020.
8. Label 5
Eight place Label 5, which is owned by Glen Moray Distillery owner La Martiniquaise, actually saw a slight drop of 3.4% in sales over the past year but not enough to see it overtaken by Dewar's.
7. William Peel
Another blend that sells well in European markets, William Peel also witnessed a slight fall in sales in 2021 with French owners Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits (MBWS), recording a 0.4% drop in sales.
6. Black & White
Another of Diageo’s Scotch whiskies, Black & White saw a rise which saw it break through the 3m cases mark thanks to a 9.3% growth year on year.
5. Chivas Regal
One of the biggest risers, Chivas saw a massive jump of nearly a third with case sales rising from 3.2m to 4.1m in 2021.
4. William Lawson's
Another of Bacardi's brands, blended Scotch whisky William Lawson rose by nearly 5% to stay in 4th place.
3. Grant's
Another of the big risers, William Grant & Sons’ Grant’s went up by over 15% to 4.1m case sales.
2. Ballantine's
Pernod Ricard’s best-selling brand Ballantine's was another that saw a huge hike, with a change of just under 25%, rising from 7m cases to 8.7m in 2021.
1. Johnnie Walker
The world's best-selling Scotch and Diageo's flagship brand Johnnie Walker keeps going from strength to strength, with sales rising from 14.1m to 19.1m in 2021, a massive rise of over 35% keeping it in the top spot.
Don't miss the top culture and heritage stories from around Scotland. Sign up to our twice weekly Scotland Now newsletter here.
READ MORE:
What it is like to visit Glen Ord distillery on the NC500 just outside Inverness
Rare Scots single malt whisky cask sells for £16m to private buyer in Asia
Strathearn Whisky Distillery produces first spirit batch under new regime