The Spiritualist, Glasgow
Fraser Cruickshank, junior manager
Q: How’s vodka currently selling?
A: Vodka sales are fairly steady just now, mostly just served with a mixer.
Q: How many vodkas does your bar currently stock?
A: We currently stock around 38 vodkas.
Q: What are the most popular serves?
A: The most popular serves are our house vodka, Luksusowa, with a mix of usually Coke or Diet Coke.
Q: Has the rise of products such as craft gin had any impact on vodka demand/sales?
A: I would say so, gin is by far our best seller just now.
Q: Do you think vodka could see an influx of craft products similar to the gin category?
A: I would say it possibly could have an influx, although craft gin seems to be dominating the market, with whisky starting to sell more as well.
The Adamson, St Andrews
Callum Merriman, assistant manager
Q: How’s vodka currently selling?
A: [It’s our] second highest seller by the glass, about half of gin sales. However, vodka cocktails sell about twice as many.
Q: How many vodkas does your bar currently stock?
A: Five: Ketel One, Ogilvy, Zubrouwka, Belvedere and Grey Goose.
Q: What are the most popular serves?
A: Espresso Martini, Pornstar Martini, French Martini, and vodka & Coke.
Q: Has the rise of products such as craft gin had any impact on vodka demand/sales?
A: Yes, more people ordering G&T.
Q: Do you think vodka could see an influx of craft products similar to the gin category?
A: To some extent, but I feel it would be mostly marketing, as vodka as a flavour profile is more subtle.
Tigerlily, Edinburgh
Jack Driver, bar manager
Q: How’s vodka currently selling?
A: Vodka is still selling well. It continues to be our highest selling spirit and makes up the base for our highest selling cocktails.
Q: How many vodkas does your bar currently stock?
A: We currently stock over 30 brands and flavours of vodka.
Q: What are the most popular serves?
A: The most popular serves of vodka are still simple spirit mixers; cola, soda & lime, and lemonade. We’ve seen an increase in soda & fresh lime for the more health conscious.
Outwith spirit mixers, flavoured vodka used in cocktails are the next highest selling drinks, e.g Pornstar Martini and Cosmopolitans.
Q: Has the rise of products such as craft gin had any impact on vodka demand/sales?
A: I’d say there are definitely more gin drinkers than when I started bartending. It would be hard not to say that it’s had an impact on vodka. However, at the weekends and during our busy periods it’s still vodka that outsells the other spirits in our bar.
Q: Do you think vodka could see an influx of craft products similar to the gin category?
A: Absolutely. Especially with craft distillers who are already producing gin!
People like to support local brands, so I expect to see more Scottish vodkas over the next couple of years.
