Kollaras & Co has announced the addition of popular Japanese whiskey Kensei to its brand portfolio.
The Japanese whiskey market is experiencing exceptional growth, with sales increasing 33% in 2018 and an impressive export market worth over $200million.
In the off-trade market alone, sales volume of Japanese whiskey increased by 65.9% in the UK from 2017 to 2018.
Kollaras’ COO Doug Misener said: “Japanese whiskey is in high demand globally, so Kensei is an ideal addition to the brand portfolio. It is an exceptional brand that is promising to deliver brilliant results for the entire value chain.”
Japanese whiskey shot to global fame after two prestigious World Whisky awards in 2008.
Produced by Japanese whiskey blender Kiyokawa, Kensei is an artisanal blend of Hokkaido and Nagano whisky, that is aged a minimum of three years in American Oak barrels.
Hokkaido, Japan’s second largest island, has a climate similar to that of Scotland, so offers the ideal climate for whiskey production, while Nagano’s climate is perfect for distilleries built in the alps to encourage slow maturation.
The blend is a tribute to Kensei warriors, who incessantly strive for perfection.
Big year for Kollaras
The deal is one of many Kollaras & Co has signed this year.
Last month, it announced a distribution agreement with north China’s largest wine importer.
The partnership between Kollaras & Co and The Beijing ABA Company was cemented at The China International Import Expo, held in Shanghai on November 5-10, 2019.
Meanwhile, global rum giant Ron Barceló has signed an exclusive Australian distribution deal with Kollaras & Co in October.
In July, Templeton Rye whiskey signed an exclusive distribution deal with Kollaras & Co in Australia.
Known as being ‘Iowa’s most notorious whiskey’, the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition recently named Templeton Rye as one of the finest rye whiskeys in the world.
