Kavalan sales soar 169% in South Korea

Sales of Kavalan whisky climbed by 169% in South Korea last year, led by triple-digit gains in travel retail.

Kavalan’s distributor, Golden Blue, said sales of the Taiwanese whisky brand continue to exceed expectations in South Korea.

Kavalan’s travel retail sales soared by 115% in 2022.

The brand’s sales were boosted by the appearance of Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry in Decision to Leave, a South Korean film released in 2022 and directed by Park Chan-wook.

There are 12 expressions available in Korea, including the Kavalan Classic, Distillery Select, Solist Oloroso Sherry, Oloroso Sherry, and Solist Port whiskies.

Cui Yong Xi, vice-president of Golden Blue, which has exclusively distributed Kavalan since 2017, said: “Since its launch in Korea, the market share of Kavalan has steadily increased, creating a whirlwind in the domestic whisky market. We will develop a localisation goal.”

King Car Group established Taiwan’s first whisky distillery in 2006, which produces Kavalan single malt.

Albert Lee, CEO of King Car Group, said: “We expect more consumers to seek out Kavalan due to our emphasis on quality and flavour, the expansion of the international whisky market in Korea and the boom in single malt whisky.”

Cyndi Lin, director of international business development, said the brand would release new products and limited edition designs for the South Korean market.

The company is also planning marketing events to target Millennial and Gen Z drinkers.

In February, the Taiwanese whisky producer secured a listing with alcohol retailer Symposion to release four expressions in Sweden.