Key UK Spirit Trends

1. Whisky (especially from unexpected regions)

• UK consumers are branching beyond Scotch into “world whiskies” – organic, sustainable Scotch from distilleries like Nc’nean (Scotland’s first net-zero whisky) and English whisky from The Cotswolds and Lakes Distillery are gaining traction (asiantrader.biz).

• Consumers are seeking both provenance-forward and eco-conscious labels.

2. Gin Goes Exotic

• Gin remains a top-selling category, with spiced, botanical, and infused variations (e.g., fig‑flavoured Irish gin, Nordic gins using foraged botanicals) on the rise .

• Awards highlight home-grown premium heroes like Ramsbury Gin being named “Gin of the Year” (theontrade.com).

3. Rum & Agave Spirits

• Spiced, dark, and botanical‑infused rum (e.g. Captain Morgan, Kraken) remain mainstream favourites (gourmetpro.co).

• Tequila and broader agave spirits—including non-Mexican mezcal-style expressions—are booming (thespiritsbusiness.com).

4. Low- and No-Alcohol Spirits & RTDs

• The no/low‑alcohol spirits space is growing rapidly, with product innovation in tequilas, cachaça, botanicals like Seedlip, and RTDs (ready‑to‑drink) — some categories growing ~50% in recent years (asiantrader.biz).

• These formats appeal to moderation-minded and value-driven consumers.

  
  

5. Absinthe Revival

• Absinthe—“the green fairy”—is experiencing a renaissance in the UK with ~40–50% annual growth. Over £35 million in global sales expected by 2026 (theguardian.com).

• Mixologists are using it in modern twists on classic cocktails and offering educational experiences.

  
  

6. Cognac, Calvados & Other Brandies

• Post-dinner brandies like cognac, Armagnac, and calvados are seeing new demand, often in cocktails like the Stinger or modern takes on classic serves (thetimes.co.uk, ft.com).

📌 Summary Snapshot

Category	Trend Highlights
Whisky	World whiskies, organic/sustainable Scotch
Gin	Botanical-infused, Nordic botanicals, award winners
Rum & Agave (Tequila)	Spiced rum remains big; agave expansion continues
Low/No-Alc & RTD	Fast growth in moderation formats and convenience drinks
Absinthe	The “green fairy” makes a stylish comeback in bars
Brandies (Cognac, Calvados)	Growing in cocktail culture, post-dinner popularity

What This Means for You

UK drinkers value heritage with novelty. Traditional categories (whisky, gin) remain firm favourites, but they’re increasingly accompanied by experimental entries (like Nordic gin or botanical rum) and lifestyle-driven formats (like eco‑friendly whiskies or low‑alcohol options). Mixology innovation is growing - absinthe and brandies are now cutting‑edge ingredients in cocktail repertoires.