In this piece, we will take a look at the five countries that make the best whiskey. For more countries, head on over to 12 Countries That Make the Best Whiskey in the World.
5. Canada
Insider Monkey’s Score: 6
Whiskey Exports in 2021: $295 million
Canada is a North American country with a large land border with the United States. Like the U.S., whisky in Canada is made primarily from corn, which accounts for a large proportion of the spirits that are distilled. Whiskey distilleries are located all over Canada, and some of these are Alberta Distillers, Black Velvet Distillery, Highwood Distillery, Hiram Walker Distillery, and Old Montreal Distillery. Some of these are more than a century old, lending the country a strong distillation base. A few of the well known Canadian whiskey brands are JP Wiser’s 15 Year Old, Forty Creek Confederation Oak, and Barrel Lock Stock & Barrel 16 Year.
4. United States of America
Insider Monkey’s Score: 6
Whiskey Exports in 2021: $1 billion
The US is the world’s largest economy and one of the most advanced nations in the world. Whiskey has a central place in American history, as it was one of the first local products to be manufactured after the American revolution. Additionally, America also has some of the largest whiskey companies on the planet. The most well known of these is Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B), which is famous for its Jack Daniel’s whiskey.
3. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Insider Monkey’s Score: 6
Whiskey Exports in 2021: $6.3 billion
The UK is another prosperous nation and a great power in modern day politics. The UK’s dominance in the global whiskey industry is evident from the fact that it is the world’s largest whiskey exporter, having sold a whopping $6.3 billion worth of the spirit in 2021. This comes from Scotland’s whiskey, which is one of the oldest in the world. In fact, whiskey is often thought to have originated in Scotland as well. Naturally, this also lends Britain with some of the largest alcohol companies in the world, with the most renowned firm being Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) and its Johnnie Walker whiskey.
2. Japan
Insider Monkey’s Score: 7
Whiskey Exports in 2021: $420 million
Japan is an Asian country that is a global economic powerhouse. It has been distilling whiskey for more than a century now and started commercially producing the liquor in the 1920s. Looking to fight the growth of white label spirits sold with Japanese branding, Japan is regulating its whiskey industry through laws that will require makers to use Japanese ingredients and other processes. Large whiskey distillers include Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. Ltd. and Suntory Holdings Limited.
1. Republic of Ireland
Insider Monkey’s Score: 7
Whiskey Exports in 2021: $977 million
The Republic of Ireland – not to be confused with Northern Ireland – is a European country with a high GDP per capita. Irish whiskey ranks among the top spirits in our study, and historically, it is believed that the spirit made its way to the country more than a thousand years back. One of Ireland’s oldest distilleries is the Old Bushmills Distillery, which also claims to be the oldest distillery in the world. Throughout its history, Old Bushmills has been owned by large brands such as Diageo and Pernod Ricard.
Disclosure: None. You can also take a peek at 15 Biggest Non-Tech Companies in the World and 25 Biggest Colorado Companies.
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