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Top 10 Best-Selling Spirits Categories in the World by Volume

The ten most-consumed spirits categories worldwide, ranked by annual sales volume in nine-litre cases, from whisky's global dominance to the soaring popularity of tequila and mezcal.

Updated August 28, 2026 10 ranked 5 sources

Quick answer: 1. Whisky, 2. Vodka, 3. Rum, 4. Liqueurs, 5. Brandy & Cognac, 6. Gin, 7. Tequila & Mezcal, 8. Soju, 9. Baijiu, 10. Shochu.

The global spirits industry sold over 3.3 billion nine-litre cases in 2024, spanning categories from the world's most popular spirit — whisky — to niche categories like liqueurs and bitters. The rankings have shifted significantly over the past decade: whisky and vodka remain the top two categories, but tequila and mezcal have been the fastest-growing segments, driven by the premium cocktail movement and celebrity-backed brands. Meanwhile, traditional categories like brandy and cognac have seen steady but slower growth, particularly in their core markets of Asia and Europe. This list ranks the top ten spirits categories worldwide by annual sales volume in nine-litre cases, based on data from the IWSR (International Wine and Spirits Record), the industry's leading drinks market analysis firm. The data reflects global consumption trends across all price tiers, from value brands to ultra-premium expressions.

Volume (millions of 9L cases)

Volume (millions of 9L cases)
Whisky
485 million 9L cases
Vodka
320 million 9L cases
Rum
195 million 9L cases
Liqueurs
155 million 9L cases
Brandy & Cognac
140 million 9L cases
Gin
85 million 9L cases
Tequila & Mezcal
75 million 9L cases
Soju
68 million 9L cases
Baijiu
62 million 9L cases
Shochu
42 million 9L cases

The ranking

1

Whisky

Whisky is the world's most popular spirits category, with approximately 485 million nine-litre cases sold globally in 2024. The category encompasses Scotch whisky, American whiskey (including bourbon and Tennessee whiskey), Irish whiskey, Canadian whisky, Japanese whisky, and Indian whisky. India is the largest whisky market by volume, consuming over 200 million cases annually, primarily of locally produced whiskies. The premium segment has been the primary growth driver, with single malt Scotch and bourbon seeing significant demand in the US and European markets.

Key markets: India, United States, France, United KingdomTop brands: Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniel's, Jameson5-year trend (2020–2024): +2.1% CAGRLargest producer: India (Diageo, United Spirits)
2

Vodka

Vodka is the second-largest spirits category globally, with approximately 320 million nine-litre cases sold in 2024. The category is dominated by Russia and the United States, which together account for nearly half of global vodka consumption. Vodka's versatility as a neutral base for cocktails has driven its strong international presence. The premium and flavoured vodka segments have been the primary growth areas, while the value segment has remained stable. The largest vodka brands by volume include Smirnoff, Absolut, and Russian standards.

Key markets: Russia, United States, Poland, UkraineTop brands: Smirnoff, Absolut, Russian Standard5-year trend (2020–2024): +0.8% CAGRLargest producer: Russia (various)
3

Rum

Rum is the third most popular spirits category, with approximately 195 million nine-litre cases sold in 2024. The Caribbean remains the spiritual home of rum, but the United States and Europe are the largest consumption markets. The category spans white (light) rums used in cocktails, gold rums, dark rums, and aged premium rums. The premium aged rum segment has been the fastest-growing part of the category, driven by the craft cocktail movement and consumer interest in aged spirits. The largest rum-producing countries are Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and India.

Key markets: United States, India, Philippines, United KingdomTop brands: Bacardi, Tanduay, Captain Morgan5-year trend (2020–2024): +1.5% CAGRLargest producer: Puerto Rico (Bacardi)
4

Liqueurs

Liqueurs, including cream liqueurs, herbal liqueurs, and fruit liqueurs, sold approximately 155 million nine-litre cases globally in 2024. This diverse category spans sweetened spirits with added flavours, cream, herbs, or fruit. The category includes globally recognised brands like Baileys Irish Cream, Jägermeister, and Kahlúa. The ready-to-drink (RTD) trend has boosted liqueur consumption, with pre-mixed coffee liqueur cocktails and cream-based RTDs gaining popularity. Europe remains the largest market for liqueurs, followed by North America.

Key markets: Europe, United States, CanadaTop brands: Baileys, Jägermeister, Kahlúa5-year trend (2020–2024): +1.0% CAGRLargest producer: Ireland (Baileys/Diageo)
5

Brandy & Cognac

Brandy and cognac combined sold approximately 140 million nine-litre cases globally in 2024. Cognac, the premium French brandy from the Cognac region, is the most valuable segment of the category, with major houses like Hennessy, Rémy Martin, and Martell driving global demand. The United States and China are the largest cognac markets. The broader brandy category — including pisco, armagnac, and grape brandies from non-French producers — has a strong consumer base in Eastern Europe, the Philippines, and South America.

Key markets: United States, China, France, PhilippinesTop brands: Hennessy, McDowell's No.1, Rémy Martin5-year trend (2020–2024): +0.5% CAGRLargest producer: France (LVMH, Rémy Cointreau)
6

Gin

Gin sold approximately 85 million nine-litre cases globally in 2024. The category experienced a boom from 2015 to 2022, led by the London dry gin renaissance and the craft gin movement, with hundreds of new distilleries opening worldwide. The United Kingdom, United States, and Spain are the largest gin markets. While the craft gin boom has cooled, the premium segment continues to grow, particularly in the super-premium and flavoured gin categories. The global gin market is dominated by a few large producers, despite the proliferation of craft brands.

Key markets: United Kingdom, United States, Spain, PhilippinesTop brands: Gordon's, Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray5-year trend (2020–2024): +2.5% CAGR (slowing)Largest producer: United Kingdom (Diageo, Pernod Ricard)
7

Tequila & Mezcal

Tequila and mezcal is the fastest-growing major spirits category, with approximately 75 million nine-litre cases sold in 2024, up from just 45 million in 2019 — a CAGR of over 10%. The category has been driven by the premiumisation trend in the United States, which accounts for over 70% of global tequila consumption. Celebrity-backed brands (Casamigos, Teremana, Cincoro) and the rise of the Margarita as America's most popular cocktail have fueled growth. Mezcal, while still a small fraction of the category, has been growing even faster as consumers seek artisanal, smoky alternatives.

Key markets: United States, Mexico, CanadaTop brands: Jose Cuervo, Patrón, Don Julio5-year trend (2020–2024): +10.5% CAGRLargest producer: Mexico (Jose Cuervo)
8

Soju

Soju, Korea's national spirit, sold approximately 68 million nine-litre cases globally in 2024. While primarily consumed in South Korea, soju has been expanding internationally, particularly in the United States, Japan, and Southeast Asia, driven by the global popularity of Korean culture (K-pop, K-drama, Korean cuisine). Soju is traditionally made from rice but modern mass-market soju is often distilled from sweet potatoes or tapioca. The category has seen a shift toward lower-alcohol, flavoured variants that appeal to younger drinkers.

Key markets: South Korea, Japan, China, United StatesTop brands: Jinro, Lotte, Chum Churum5-year trend (2020–2024): +3.0% CAGRLargest producer: South Korea (HiteJinro)
9

Baijiu

Baijiu, China's traditional grain spirit, sold approximately 62 million nine-litre cases globally in 2024, though this figure significantly understates the category's value — baijiu is the most valuable spirits category in the world by revenue, generating over $100 billion annually. The vast majority of baijiu consumption occurs within China, where it is deeply embedded in business culture and social rituals. The premium baijiu segment, led by brands like Moutai and Wuliangye, has seen explosive growth, with Moutai's flagship product often selling above its official retail price. International expansion remains limited due to baijiu's distinctive flavour profile.

Key markets: China (over 98% of consumption)Top brands: Moutai, Wuliangye, Yanghe5-year trend (2020–2024): +4.5% CAGR (value)Largest producer: China (Kweichow Moutai)
10

Shochu

Shochu, Japan's traditional distilled spirit, sold approximately 42 million nine-litre cases globally in 2024. Unlike soju, shochu is typically single-distilled (not diluted with ethanol) and is made from a variety of base ingredients including barley (mugi), sweet potato (imo), rice (kome), and brown sugar (kokuto). The category is almost entirely consumed in Japan, though it has a devoted international following. Shochu has a significantly lower alcohol content than most spirits (typically 25% ABV) and is often enjoyed on the rocks, with hot water, or in cocktails.

Key markets: Japan (over 95% of consumption)Top brands: iichiko, Satsuma Shiranami, Kuro Kirishima5-year trend (2020–2024): –1.5% CAGR (declining)Largest producer: Japan (Suntory, Kirishima Shuzo)

Full comparison

# Name Key marketsTop brands5-year trend (2020–2024)Largest producer
1 Whisky India, United States, France, United KingdomJohnnie Walker, Jack Daniel's, Jameson+2.1% CAGRIndia (Diageo, United Spirits)
2 Vodka Russia, United States, Poland, UkraineSmirnoff, Absolut, Russian Standard+0.8% CAGRRussia (various)
3 Rum United States, India, Philippines, United KingdomBacardi, Tanduay, Captain Morgan+1.5% CAGRPuerto Rico (Bacardi)
4 Liqueurs Europe, United States, CanadaBaileys, Jägermeister, Kahlúa+1.0% CAGRIreland (Baileys/Diageo)
5 Brandy & Cognac United States, China, France, PhilippinesHennessy, McDowell's No.1, Rémy Martin+0.5% CAGRFrance (LVMH, Rémy Cointreau)
6 Gin United Kingdom, United States, Spain, PhilippinesGordon's, Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray+2.5% CAGR (slowing)United Kingdom (Diageo, Pernod Ricard)
7 Tequila & Mezcal United States, Mexico, CanadaJose Cuervo, Patrón, Don Julio+10.5% CAGRMexico (Jose Cuervo)
8 Soju South Korea, Japan, China, United StatesJinro, Lotte, Chum Churum+3.0% CAGRSouth Korea (HiteJinro)
9 Baijiu China (over 98% of consumption)Moutai, Wuliangye, Yanghe+4.5% CAGR (value)China (Kweichow Moutai)
10 Shochu Japan (over 95% of consumption)iichiko, Satsuma Shiranami, Kuro Kirishima–1.5% CAGR (declining)Japan (Suntory, Kirishima Shuzo)

How we ranked this

Spirits categories are ranked by global annual sales volume in millions of nine-litre cases, according to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis for calendar year 2024, the most recent full-year data available. IWSR data is compiled from a combination of government tax receipts, trade interviews, and point-of-sale tracking across 160 countries. Figures include all price tiers within each category. Categories are defined by IWSR's standard classification system, which groups spirits by their base ingredient and production method. The 'other' spirits category (which includes regional specialties like baijiu, soju, and shochu) is excluded from category-level rankings as it aggregates multiple distinct product types.

FAQ

What is the best-selling spirits category in the world?

Whisky is the best-selling spirits category by volume, with approximately 485 million nine-litre cases sold globally in 2024. Vodka ranks second at 320 million cases, followed by rum at 195 million cases. However, baijiu is the most valuable spirits category, generating over $100 billion in annual revenue despite lower volume.

Which spirits category is growing the fastest?

Tequila and mezcal is the fastest-growing major spirits category, with a compound annual growth rate of over 10% from 2020 to 2024. Baijiu has also seen strong growth in value, driven by premiumisation in China. The gin category experienced a boom from 2015–2022 but has since slowed.

Does this ranking include Chinese baijiu and Korean soju?

Yes. Baijiu ranks 9th at 62 million cases and soju ranks 8th at 68 million cases. Both are significant global spirits categories, though their consumption is heavily concentrated in their home markets.

Where does the data come from?

The data comes from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, the leading global provider of drinks market data. IWSR compiles its figures from government tax receipts, trade interviews, and point-of-sale tracking across 160 countries. The figures are for calendar year 2024.

Sources