Bartenders’ Choice is the players’ player award of the bar industry. Our bars were asked to name one brand which they have a particular so­ spot for, a brand they like working with above all others, across any category.

Over the years many of the same names have re-emerged, with Tanqueray taking top spot in exactly half of the previous 14 editions of the Brands Report. However in 2024, American whiskey brand Michter’s has topped the poll, being a top-three pick for almost 10% of our voting pool.

Since the brand was resurrected by Joseph J Magliocco in the mid 1990s, its engagement with the trade is evident. In 2020 it appeared for the first time in Bartenders’ Choice and, having flirted with the top spot in subsequent years, Michter’s is officially the favourite among the world’s most influential on-trade.

Tanqueray therefore drops down to second. Diageo’s famous green bottle has been on the podium every year since 2013, making it the most successful brand in the history of this report.

Bartender loyalty is evident in this poll, with the top five brands this year all returning from 2023 and nine out of the 10 adding to their previous success. The sole debutant this year is Boatyard which, under the guidance of commercial director Declan McGurk, has infiltrated the top tier of hospitality in the past couple of years.

Another constant within Bartenders’ Choice is the even spread of categories. Of the 10 brands in the list we have gin, rum, mezcal, vodka and liqueurs all represented alongside American, Scotch and Japanese whiskies. This is reflective of the different styles of bars polled as well as their widespread geography, adding further value to this acclaimed ranking.

How we did it

The Annual Brands Report results are the culmination of a survey of 100 bars from around the world which have been nominated or won international awards. The report offers a picture of the buying habits of the world’s best bars – not only which brands sell best, but also what’s trending to indicate the brands that are hot right now.

To view the page-turner edition of the Brands Report click here.

The Brands Report will be serialised on drinksint.com throughout January.