Russian Whiskies Distill Legacy Amid Global Trade Shifts

Amid Western alcohol supplier exits, Russia's homegrown whiskey distilleries, such as the Kemlya Distillery, are growing. With rising demand for local whiskies and legal parallel imports, domestic brands are filling market gaps. Yet, challenges like equipment access persist as Russian manufacturers increasingly turn to Chinese solutions.

Russia may be popularly associated with vodka, but a whiskey distillery in a village a few hundred miles east of Moscow hopes to change that narrative for local palates.

Following the incursion into Ukraine in February 2022, Western alcohol exports to Russia dropped, though some brands are now entering through unofficial channels. Notably, this supply drop has fueled significant growth in domestic whiskey sales, which have more than tripled as local producers fill in the vacuum left by foreign companies pulling back.

In Kemlya, 310 miles east of Moscow, the Kemlya Distillery aspires to captivate Russian whiskey enthusiasts with its oak-aged offerings, despite high prices. Sales of these domestic whiskies have soared, indicating a shift in consumer preferences. Challenges remain, particularly in accessing whiskey-making equipment, with some Russian producers adapting by sourcing parts from China to continue production.

(With inputs from agencies.)