Rum’s Next Chapter: Aged Expressions Step Into the Spotlight
Aged rum is attracting attention from U.S. specialty retailers and bartenders. Explore its premium appeal, value compared with whiskey and opportunities for producers to build demand.
Sparkling wine: Retail momentum, cautious imports
Writing
Sparkling wine gained ground in U.S. retail during September 2026, while first-half imports declined. Explore what these trends mean for producers planning pricing, distribution and market entry.
Functional beverages: Growth with a defined purpose
Discover U.S. beverage trends for October 2026, including tequila, aged rum, sparkling wine, aguardiente, and functional drinks—plus practical insights for brands entering the market.
Wine imports: A selective buying environment
Explore first-half 2026 U.S. wine import trends and what a more selective buying environment means for international wineries—from pricing and portfolio selection to building demand and securing repeat orders.
Functional beverages: Growth with a defined purpose
NIQ figures reported in August 2026 put U.S. functional beverage sales at $31.3 billion over the preceding year, up nearly 11%. Source: Axios reporting of NIQ data
SPINS’s 2026 industry briefing highlights energy, ready-to-drink protein, mood support, and reduced-sugar products as areas of activity. Source: SPINS
Our suggested positioning: Choose one primary benefit and one clear occasion—hydration after activity, convenient protein, or an afternoon energy drink. Explain ingredients and quantities clearly, support product claims with evidence, and make taste central to the repeat-purchase proposition.
Aguardiente: A category to introduce through education
Aguardiente is building a stronger commercial story, with measurable growth at one of Colombia’s leading producers.
Aguardiente Amarillo sales rose 150%: Industria Licorera de Caldas’ general manager reported this increase for the first half of 2026 versus the same period in 2025, discussing the brand’s Colombian market performance.
ILC’s U.S. export business grew 85%: The company reported this increase alongside first-half 2026 results. The figure covers its portfolio, including aguardiente and rum—not aguardiente alone.
International exports reached 1.54 million 750 ml-equivalent units, up 60% year over year across ILC’s portfolio.
TU-BE’s perspective: These results give buyers a concrete reason to explore aguardiente. For producers entering the U.S., connect cultural heritage with an easy-to-understand drinking occasion: a traditional serve, a citrus cocktail, or a food pairing.
Support that introduction with guided tastings and staff education, then measure repeat orders before expanding.
These are producer and brand results; they do not measure the entire U.S. aguardiente category.
