The news is according to The Millionaires' Club 2014, the annual listing of million-case spirits and liqueurs brands that launches with the June issue of DI.

Allied Blenders & Distillers’ Officer's Choice finished the year on 23.8m 9-litre cases, while fellow Indian whisky, United Spirits' McDowell's finished 100,000 cases back on 23.7m cases, despite growth of 22% last year.

Although dropping from second to third place Johnnie Walker passed through the 20m case barrier with sales increasing 6% to 20.1m cases. It is the second largest million-case international brand, behind Diageo stable mate Smirnoff.

The annual listing had Pernod Ricard's Royal Stag at 14.7m cases with growth of 15% and the group's Imperial Blue rising 40% to 10.9m cases.

All American whiskies selling over 1m cases were in growth, apart from Seagrams 7 Crown, which was flat, while Scotch had mixed results as a category.