World Whisky Brands: Key Players From Japan, France, India, Taiwan And Beyond

Whisky from around the globe that's available in the U.S. market

Vine & Table in Carmel, Indiana, offers a wide range of world whisky brands.
Vine & Table in Carmel, Indiana, offers a wide range of world whisky brands. (Photo by Mike J. Arledge Jr.)

The brown spirits boom of recent years has boosted Scotch, Bourbon and other whiskies—including world whiskies. The category is experiencing tremendous growth—especially at the super-premium end—as consumers explore the many flavor profiles of whiskies from Japan, France, Taiwan, India and beyond. The list below details world whisky brands currently available in the U.S. market.

Key World Whisky Brands

Akashi: Made at Japan’s White Oak distillery, the line is imported by Tokiwa Imports and includes blended offerings ($40 to $50 a 750-ml. bottle) and single malt variants ($80 to $180). The whiskies are available in 23 U.S. markets.

Amrut: Imported by Purple Valley Imports, this range of single malt whiskies (mostly $55 to $125 a 750-ml. bottle) is made in Bangalore, India. The brand is distributed in roughly 40 states.

Armorik: Made in Brittany, France—an area with Celtic roots and one of two French regions with geographical indications for whisky—the core line of single malts includes Classic, Sherry Finish and Double Maturation variants ($52 to $65 a 750-ml. bottle). It’s imported by Heavenly Spirits and distributed in 17 markets.

Bain’s Cape Mountain: The first U.S. release from South Africa’s James Sedgwick distillery, the single grain whisky ($35 a 750-ml. bottle) is marketed by TD Artisan Spirits. It’s currently available in 10 states, with national expansion planned.

Bastille 1789: Imported by Palm Bay International, the French brand has a blended expression ($35 a 750-ml. bottle) and a single malt offering ($70). It’s distributed in 10 states.

The Belgian Owl: This single malt whisky is made near Liège, Belgium, and retails at around $85 a 750-ml. bottle. It’s available in roughly 30 U.S. markets through B. United International.

Brenne: Distilled in Cognac, France, this single malt brand offers an Estate Cask variant ($60 a 750-ml. bottle) and a 10-year-old expression ($120). It’s available in 32 states through Classic Imports, with further distribution planned.

Chichibu: Japan’s newest distillery, founded in 2008, produces a range of single malt and blended whiskies ($100 to $200 a 750-ml. bottle) under the Ichiro’s label. The products are available in 23 states through Tokiwa Imports.

English Whisky Co.: Based in Norfolk, England, the distillery offers Classic and Peated single malts at both 46-percent abv ($75 a 750-ml. bottle) and cask strength ($120). The line is handled by Purple Valley Imports and distributed in roughly 20 markets.

Kavalan: The line of single malt whiskies ($90 to $470 a 750-ml. bottle) is made in Taiwan and imported by Anchor Distilling Co. It’s currently available in 30 markets.

Mars Shinshu: Distilled in Japan’s Nagano prefecture, the U.S. range includes two blended whiskies—Iwai ($35 to $40 a 750-ml. bottle) and Iwai Tradition ($55 to $65)—as well as several Komagatake single malts ($200 and up). Imported by Tokiwa Imports, the whiskies are available in 23 markets.

Nikka: Founded in Japan in the 1930s, Nikka offers Coffey Grain, Coffey Malt and Taketsuru Pure Malt expressions, as well as several allocated age-statement single malts ($70 to $180 a 750-ml. bottle). It also produces Yoichi and Miyagikyo single malts (both $80) which highlight the company’s two distilleries. The brand is imported by Anchor Distilling Co. and available in 49 markets.

Nomad Outland: Bending the definition of “world whisky,” the González Byass–owned brand is a blended whisky from Scotland that undergoes additional maturation in Jerez, Spain. It’s available in 15 U.S. markets at $45 a 750-ml. bottle.

Paul John: This line of single malts from Goa, India, offers Brilliance, Edited, Bold and Select Classic expressions ($55 to $100 a 750-ml. bottle). Imported by Domaine Select Wine Estates, the whiskies are currently launching nationwide.

Penderyn: Imported by Sazerac’s Gemini Spirits & Wine division, the Welsh brand primarily markets its Aur Cymru expression ($70 a 750-ml. bottle). The single malt whisky is available in 26 states.

Pür Geist: Made in Bavaria, Germany, by Pür Spirits—known for its fruit liqueurs—the hop-flavored whisky is hitting the U.S. market this fall at around $50 a 750-ml. bottle and will be limited to select markets.

Rozelieures: Entering the U.S. market this fall, this line of single malts from Alsace, France—which has a geographical indication for whisky—includes Origine, Rare, Fumé and Tourbé expressions ($50 to $90 a 750-ml. bottle). The whiskies are imported by Heavenly Spirits and will be available in 17 markets.

Suntory: Beam Suntory’s Japanese whisky portfolio includes the Hibiki ($65 to $250 a 750-ml. bottle), Hakushu ($85 to $250), Yamazaki ($85 to $250) and Toki brands ($40). Although age-statement expressions vary in availability, the range is distributed nationwide, with a focus on the entry-level blended whiskies Hibiki Japanese Harmony ($64.99) and Suntory Whisky Toki ($39.99).

Sullivans Cove: Made in Tasmania, Australia, the single malt range includes French Oak Cask, American Oak Cask and Double Cask expressions ($130 to $275 a 750-ml. bottle). Imported by Purple Valley Imports, the whiskies are available, typically in limited quantities, in roughly 40 states.