May 28th, 2025: China alcohol ban in official meals and other news
Chinese government limits alcohol in official parties, Scotch whisky auctions downward trend, DISCUS on Trump's tariffs threats, new Appleton Estate Rum Museum and more...
Good morning from Edinburgh this time!
I didn’t post on Monday, but I did read the news and I am pretty sure many of you read something from China.
Chinese government cracks down on booze
Despite this title on Eloise Feilden’s article for The Drinks Business, the Chinese government is just cracking down on official misconduct. The ban includes alcohol, luxury dishes and cigarettes from official meals and it meant to enforce discipline in government organs accross the country. So please, do read the article, not only the title ;)
Let’s stay on The Drinks Business for a while.
Scotch Whisky is suffering in auctions
Arabella Mileham reports the latest figures from Scottish financial advisory firm, Noble & Co and sales keep falling. Ultra-premium releases do not seem to be pausing, by the way.
High-end Scotch continues to languish at auction
Should I list news about US tariffs again? I try to select this one.
US trade association reaction to Trump’s tariff threat
The Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus) reacted to Trump’s latest threat to the EU. Discus’ opinion is reported by Henry Mathieu on Global Drinks Intel:
US trade association reacts to latest tariff threat to European Union
Appleton Estate opens pop up Rum Museum
Investing in education is always a good idea (especially these days) and Appleton seems to be seizing this opportunity. The Museum will be open only between May and June, according to what Dominic Bell, J Wray and Nephew Limited’s communications manager, told the Jamaica Observer. Hopefully they will turn it into a permanent exhibition. Here is the article:
Appleton Estate launches Premium Rum Museum in New Kingston
French corn whisky instead of Bourbon
There may be no tariffs for Bourbon in sight, but media seem to be playing on the situation, suggesting local alternatives to their readers. Here is an article by Jean-Pierre Saccani on Le Figaro:
Pourquoi les whiskys français de maïs sont une excellente alternative au bourbon américain
Discovering Korean Single Malt
Today we leave for Korea with a reading from Channel News Asia. The tone of the author is a little too flattering for my tastes, but if you put that aside, you will find some interesting information about whisky in Korea from the words of Bryan Do, founder of KI One distillery in Namyangju (northwest from Seoul). Hope you will enjoy:
KI One, South Korea’s first single malt distillery, is crafting a bold new future for Asian whisky
See you on Friday!