In this piece, we will take a look at the five countries that export the most whiskey in the world. For more companies, head on over to 12 Countries That Export the Most Whiskey in the World.
5. Japan
Whiskey Exports in 2021: $420 million
Japan is an Asian country that is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. Japanese whiskies, such as the Nikka’s 10-year Yoichi single malt have often won best whiskey awards. The country is also transforming its whiskey industry, to stop companies from simply rebranding white spirits as their own and selling them as Japanese. Under these standards, Japanese whiskies will have to be produced wholly in Japan and also use a certain portion of Japanese ingredients in their production. Japan’s largest and oldest whiskey companies are Suntory Holdings Limited and Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. Ltd. Others include Kirin Brewery Company, Limited and Eigashima Shuzo Co., Ltd.
4. Republic of Singapore
Whiskey Exports in 2021: $2.2 billion
The Republic of Singapore, or Singapore, has the second highest GDP per capita in the world at $131,580. One of the first Singaporean whiskeys, the Hom Mali Rice whiskey, started the aging process in 2021. Another whiskey, made by the Brass Rye distillery is older, as it started the aging process in 2019. Singapore’s climate also favors whiskey production, by allowing for shorter aging times.
3. Republic of Ireland
Whiskey Exports in 2021: $1.49 billion
The Republic of Ireland is a Northwestern European country. The Irish and whiskey are nearly synonymous, as the name whiskey itself traces its roots back to the Irish language. Irishmen have been making whiskey since the 12th century, and there are more than thirty distilleries in the country. Out of these, the oldest are Cooley Distillery, New Midleton Distillery, Old Bushmills Distillery, and Kilbeggan Distillery.
2. United States of America
Whiskey Exports in 2021: $1.8 billion
The United States of America, or simply America, is the world’s largest economy and the only superpower. Whiskey has a central role in American history, as it was the only alcoholic beverage that could be distilled in the country after the American Revolution in the late 1700s. Since then, the industry has come a long way and has a laundry list of different brands. The primary American whiskey types include rye, malt, wheat, Bourbon, and grain whiskey. One of the most prominent American whiskey companies is Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B), known for its Jack Daniel’s whiskey – often called the most popular whiskey in America.
1. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Whiskey Exports in 2021: $6.3 billion
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or simply the U.K., is a European country that is one of the world’s leading economies. Comprised of Britain, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, the U.K. is the dominant player in the global whiskey industry. While Britain’s own whiskey sector is relatively younger, Scottish whiskey is arguably the best whiskey in the world – a fact that is also evidenced by the U.K.’s $6.3 billion of exports – higher than all other entries in our list combined. A breakdown of the exports reveals that Scotch whiskey alone contributed to $3.7 billion in exports. One of the most famous Scotch whiskies in the world is Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)’s Johnnie Walker, and other brands include Glen Deveron, GlenDronach Revival, The Singleton of Glen Ord, and Chivas Regal.
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