Sixteen distillers from across the U.S. will be featured

 

The Distilled Spirits Council today announced that it will showcase American distilled spirits products at the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair (November 10-12) and hold a separate event in Shanghai (November 14).  As one of the most promising markets for U.S. distilled spirits exports, the promotions in China will showcase fine American spirits from 16 leading American distillers, including 12 small distillers–many of whom are new to the Chinese market. The Council’s promotions are being held in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture under its Market Access Program.

The Council will feature an American Spirits Pavilion at the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair, which is the top event for beverage alcohol buyers and distributors in the fast growing Asia-Pacific region. In 2015, the show attracted more than 20,000 visitors from 75 countries. On November 10, the Council will host a seminar for key buyers and distributors to learn the history of American Whiskey, its natural and unique production process and the characteristics that distinguish it from whiskeys from other regions of the globe. The event will also include a cocktail demonstration featuring a variety of American Whiskeys.

On November 14 in Shanghai, the Council will conduct a tasting seminar for local media and beverage industry executives of U.S. whiskeys and a cocktail demonstration at 1515 West, Chophouse and Bar to highlight the mixbility and versatility of U.S. whiskeys.

“American spirits are in demand around the world – with Hong Kong and China serving as key growth markets in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Distilled Spirits Council Vice President of Government Relations David Culver. “American whiskeys such as Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, and now American Rye Whiskeys, are experiencing significant growth around the globe because of their authentic heritage, their distinctive flavors and their versatility in cocktails.”

Global U.S. spirits exports exceeded USD $1.5 billion in 2015, and have been on an upward trajectory thanks, in part, to increased interest in American Whiskeys and the Council’s trade promotion programs. In terms of value, Euromonitor Internationalforecasts the Chinese distilled spirits market to grow 58 percent by 2020 to reach USD $208 billion. These trends bode well for U.S. spirits exports to China, which reached an all-time high of USD $15.1 million in 2015, up 35 percent from 2013 levels.

The participating U.S. distillers include: Brown-Forman (Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve), Beam Suntory (Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam), Diageo (Bulleit Bourbon), Campari (Wild Turkey), as well as many small distillers from across the U.S., including Alpine Distilling (Utah), Breckenridge Distillery (Colorado), Catoctin Creek (Virginia), Cleveland Whiskey (Ohio), Death’s Door Spirits (Wisconsin), House Spirits Distillery (Oregon), James E. Pepper Distillery (Kentucky), KOVAL Distillery (Illinois), Michter’s Distillery (Kentucky), Osocalis Distillery (California), Red Eye Louie’s Vodquila (Alabama), and Troy and Son’s Distillery (North Carolina).

The U.S. distilled spirits industry is committed to social responsibility. For those adults who choose to drink, they should do so in moderation and responsibly at all times. For more information: www.drinkinmoderation.org.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Inc., prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, or other protected status.