Imported alcohol brands overall are expected to grow in the United States over the upcoming years, according to forecasts by IWSR Drinks Market Analysis. The volume of imported brands is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.8 percent 2021 to 2025, versus a forecasted loss of one percent CAGR for domestic brands in the same time period.

On Drizly, one region of the world that retailers should keep an eye on is East Asia, particularly brands and beverage categories from Japan, South Korea, and China, which have seen notable growth on the platform in recent years.

Growing Categories With Future Potential

“We have seen several categories of East Asian origin like baijiu, sake, and soju falling among the fastest growing categories on Drizly,” says Liz Paquette, Drizly’s head of consumer insights. “This suggests consumer awareness and interest in these categories are growing. Gen Z is a key driver of this growth, and as more and more of the generation becomes 21 and older, they may continue to become an even bigger growth opportunity for retailers.”

By category, the share in brands from East Asian countries leans heavily toward liquor (79 percent share in the past 12 months) and wine (18 percent share). Beer from East Asian countries accounts for only a three percent share. However, rice lagers saw share gains in the beer category in March 2022, led by top-selling SKUs from the Japanese breweries Asahi and Orion. 

Baijiu, a clear Chinese liquor typically distilled from fermented sorghum and other grains, is another category that retailers should keep an eye on. “Although it remains a small percent of overall share, baijiu is the fastest-growing subcategory from East Asia year-over-year,” Paquette says.

Drizly’s Top-Selling East Asian Beverage Brands, Past 12 Months

1. Hibiki (Japanese whisky)
2. The Yamazaki (Japanese whisky)
3. Nikka (Japanese whisky)
4. Toki (Japanese whisky)
5. Jinro (soju)
6. Roku (gin)
7. Dassai (unmai daiginjo)
8. Chum Churum (soju)
9. Hakushu (Japanese whisky) 
10. Haku (vodka)

Japanese Whisky

Japanese whisky is a high-value whiskey subcategory with an average unit price on Drizly of nearly $80 in 2021—more than double the average whiskey unit price on Drizly in the same time period.

In the overall United States market, Japanese whisky has seen steady growth. According to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, volume in the United States grew by 21.3 percent in 2019 and by 20.9 percent in 2020. From 2021 to 2025, IWSR forecasts about a 16 percent compound annual growth rate in volume of Japanese whisky.

Japanese whisky is the only East Asian beverage category that sees a seasonal spike. Sales increase during the winter holiday season as gift orders (which have a higher average unit price on Drizly) become more popular. SKUs like Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky and Yamazaki 12 Year Old Whisky are among the top-selling top-shelf spirits on Drizly.

More than 90 percent of Japanese whisky production is owned by two companies: Suntory Holdings (whose popular brands include Yamazaki, Hakushu, Chita, and others) and Asahi Group Holdings (including Nikka, Yoichi, and Miyagikyo). 

The subcategory skews to a younger demographic than other high-value subcategories like Scotch whisky. Gen Z and millennials over-index in percentage share of Japanese whisky sales on Drizly versus Gen X and baby boomers, which both under-index compared to overall share of sales on Drizly. New York City, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay area, Chicago, and Miami all over-index in sales.

“New York City significantly over-indexes on Japanese whisky sales, accounting for 31 percent share of sales of the category in the past 12 months compared to 18 percent of Drizly overall,” Paquette says. “Los Angeles, the second top selling market for Japanese whisky, accounts for 10 percent share of the category compared to four percent of Drizly overall.”

Drizly’s Top-Selling Japanese Whisky SKUs, Past 12 Months

1. Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky
2. Yamazaki 12 Year Old Whisky
3. Suntory Toki Japanese Whisky
4. Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky
5. Nikka Whisky From The Barrel
6. Yamazaki 18 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky
7. Hakushu 12 Year
8. Akashi White Oak Japanese Blended Whisky
9. Hibiki 21 Year Old Japanese Whisky
10. Kaiyo Mizunara Oak Japanese Whisky

Soju

Soju holds a small amount of overall share of sales on Drizly, but the category grew 100 percent from 0.1 percent in 2020 to 0.2 percent in 2021. It typically comes from South Korea—97 percent of soju sold on Drizly comes from South Korea, two percent from Japan, and one percent from the United States.

The category second-highest subcategory share among East Asian beverage subcategories after Japanese whisky, which has a 62 percent share. The IWSR forecasts soju volume will grow by 0.4 percent CAGR during 2021 to 2025 in the United States.

Soju is a big reason why the share of South Korean brands among top selling East Asian beverages on Drizly has increased from five percent share in 2020 to eight percent share in the past 12 months. Japan still dominates the share of beverage sales from East Asian brands on Drizly with 91 percent, while China and Taiwan each hold one percent.

Sake

This Japanese rice wine has gained share in certain styles over the past couple of years—especially among the highest grades of sake like Junmai Daiginjo, which also typically command a higher price point. 

IWSR forecasts sake volume will grow by 3.6 percent CAGR during 2021 to 2025 in the United States.

Sake Share by Style on Drizly, Past 12 Months

• Junmai: 38 percent
• Junmai Daiginjo: 18 percent
• Junmai Ginjo: 14 percent
• Nigori: 12 percent
• Sake: Eight percent
• Ginjo: Five percent
• Sparkling Sake: One percent
• Daiginjo: One percent
• Honjozo: One percent
• Futsushu: One percent

Sake, as well as soju, are also in a good position for further growth because of a younger consumer base. “Gen Z over-indexes significantly on soju, and the youngest generation of drinking age Americans also over-indexes on sake,” Paquette says.