Kirker Greer launches Ukiyo in Finland

Japanese spirits brand Ukiyo is continuing its international expansion after securing a permanent listing with drinks retailer Alko in Finland.

The brand’s spirits, Ukiyo Blossom Gin and Ukiyo Yuzu Gin, alongside its Ukiyo Rice Vodka, will be listed in more than 360 Alko stores across Finland and available to purchase online through its website.

John Soden, CCO of Kirker Greer Spirits, said: “We are delighted to have Ukiyo spirits listed in Alko and look forward to working closely with our import partners and the team at Alko to build the brand in Finland over the coming years.

“We are seeing exceptional growth and success with Ukiyo in international markets, such as Australia, Germany and the Netherlands, and we look forward to continuing to build on that great success.”

The Japanese spirits range is exclusively distributed globally by Kirker Greer Spirits, and the brand is represented in Finland by wine and spirits importer Vinic Oy.

The gin range is crafted in Kagoshima, in the shadow of the Sakurajima volcano, while the vodka is crafted on the tropical island of Okinawa.

The brand’s spirits are bottled at 40% ABV and presented in unique bottles; the rice vodka in a smoked glass bottle and the gins in a two-colour graduated bottle reflecting the mountains and oceans of Japan.

In May this year, Kirker Greer Spirits gained listings for Ukiyo with two leading distributors in Norway and Sweden.

The company recently expanded its team and named ex-Dead Rabbit bartender Peter Moore as global educator and ambassador across its portfolio, as well as Matt Bell as its operations manager.

Duty Free Global was appointed as the Kirker Greer Spirits’ global travel retail partner in October 2021.