Whisky drove a 13% rise in UK drinks exports to £9.4 billion in the past year as young professionals reached for “status” brands.
The total value of drinks exported in the 12 months ending July 31 rose from £8.3 billion the year before, according to Hazlewoods business advisers and accountants.
Whisky outperformed other drinks, making up two thirds of the total exports at a value of £6.32 billion. Gin made up £680 million, followed by beer at £486 million.
Rebecca Copping, a partner at Hazlewoods, told the Times that strong demand to the appeal of heritage brands to young professionals.
“British heritage brands have successfully placed themselves as a luxury in the international drinks market,” she said.
“A large chunk of this success is due to young, wealthy consumers purchasing quality drinks brands that signify status and success.”
Whisky is the UK’s biggest food and drink export by value, led by the Scotch industry. The Scotch Whisky Association reported a 3.6% fall in exports during the first half of 2023, compared with last year when the industry posted record exports as markets grew and restocked after the pandemic.
However, the association measures the industry performance over the calendar year while Hazlewoods’ figure includes whisky from the whole of the UK, for example, the Penderyn brand from Wales.
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