A blonde walks into a bar. She see shelves and shelves of liquor. All kinds. The bartender says, “What’ll you have?”
And the blonde says, “I don’t know. What do you recommend?”
Not the world’s worst blonde joke, but rather a real life scenario that I’m 100% we’ve all been in. Bars have so much to offer, sometimes making a decision is just overwhelming. How do we choose from all the brands in front of us? Is it worth trying something new when we always order a diet coke and rum?
For help, we ask the expert: the bartender in front of us.

Photo Credit: Pixabay
Marketing firm Metrixlab recently sent a survey to 10,000 bartenders throughout the United States, asking what brands of alcohol they are most likely to recommend to their customers. The survey is in its 15th year and is used by spirits company to see where their brands stand with these important point of sale influencers.
Here are the results.
Patron Tequila for Best Overall Spirit
Second year in row after overtaking Fireball.

Photo Credit: Pixabay
Johnny Walker for Blended Scotch
Ranked first since the beginning of the study in 2005.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia
Hennessy for Cognac
For seven years out of the past eight.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Grand Marnier for Cordial
Highest ranking for the past six years.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia
Baileys for Coffee Cordial
Leader for the past six years, ever since the category was included.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia
BACARDI Flavors for Flavor Spirits
This year, BARCARDI overtook Absolut Vodka for the first time.

Photo Credit: BACARDI
Bombay Sapphire for Gin
Overtaking Hendricks.

Photo Credit: Pexels
BACARDI for Rum
Ranked first for the past 12 years.

Photo Credit: Pxhere
Jack Daniel’s for Shot/Shooter
Overtook Fireball for a first time lead.

Photo Credit: Flickr
The Macallan for Single Malt Scotch
Second straight year after overtaking Glenlivet in 2017.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia
Patron for Tequila
Ranked highest since 2008 (also best overall spirit).

Photo Credit: Pxhere
Grey Goose for Vodka
Was only outranked once since 2005 (by Absolut).

Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Jack Daniel’s for Whiskey
Consistently first.

Photo Credit: Flickr
Spirit companies know who their true customers are – the bartenders. Cause bartenders wield huge influence over their customers’ choice of beverage for the evening.
Cheers!