In this article, we are going to discuss the 5 countries that import the most whiskey. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the global whiskey market, the surge in American spirits exports, and the rise of whiskey tourism, head to 20 Countries that Import the Most Whiskey.
5. China
Total Whiskey Imports in 2022: $558,199,851
Despite only making up about 1% of the Chinese spirits market, whisky’s popularity is booming in the country. The Asian giant has witnessed its Scotch whisky interest grow tenfold in the last 20 years and that trend looks set to continue. Although the Chinese market is still dominated by baijiu, the younger wealthier consumers are looking to drink more Scotch whisky and the population overall is drinking less but better quality.
4. Germany
Total Whiskey Imports in 2022: $586,668,118
Germany’s love affair with beer is well-known, so much so that the country even came up with its own purity law as far back as 500 years ago. But whiskey has also gained significant ground in the Western European country, especially after World War II, and now Europe’s largest economy ranks among the Top 5 Importers of Whiskey in the World.
Germany imported 67 million bottles of Scotch in 2022, an impressive growth of 48% over the 46 million bottles imported the year before. It must be mentioned that between 2020 and 2021, German Scotch whisky imports rose only by 7%, making the recent stats seem even more impressive.
3. Singapore
Total Whiskey Imports in 2022: $737,254,476
The port of Singapore is the second-busiest in the world, and considered the hub of entrepôt trade and a gateway to other Asian markets. The country imports a large amount of wine and spirits, which are then re-exported mainly to Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, China, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Interestingly, the last known public purchase of Dalmore 62 – one of the Most Expensive Whiskeys in the World – happened at the Singapore airport in 2011, costing the buyer an eye-watering $250,000.
2. France
Total Whiskey Imports in 2022: $898,798,543
With an average annual consumption of approximately 2.15 liters per person, France is the Country that Drinks the Most Whiskey per Capita in the world. Scotch dominates the French market and the country imported 205 million bottles of the spirit in 2022, making it the second-largest import market for Scotch whisky, knocked off the top spot by India.
1. United States of America
Total Whiskey Imports in 2022: $2,062,525,180
Whiskey has been the drink of choice for many Americans since time immemorial, and while the liquid gold they make themselves is also a force to be reckoned with, they seem to love that imported good stuff.
The U.S. is the Largest Importer of Scotch Whisky by Value, with imports of $1.2 billion in 2022, thus crossing the $1 billion mark for the first time since the 25% tariff on single malt Scotch was suspended in 2019.
The United States is the Largest Importer of Liquor in the World.
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