Buying Chinese Spirits in Europe

Chinese whisky and gin are just arriving in Europe. Finding them takes some curiosity, but the first bottles are already here. Here is where to start looking.

Whisky

Chinese whisky is young and most bottles are still sold mainly in China. A first sign of change came in 2023, when The Whisky Exchange became the first UK retailer to stock Chinese whisky, with malts from the Goalong distillery in Hunan. As the distilleries built by Pernod Ricard, Diageo and others release more whisky, more bottles will reach Europe.

**Where to look:** specialist whisky shops, online whisky retailers and whisky festivals.

Gin

Chinese craft gins, made with botanicals like Sichuan pepper, osmanthus and tea, occasionally appear in specialist spirits shops and online. They are the easiest Chinese spirit to enjoy for anyone who already drinks gin.

**Where to look:** specialist gin and spirits shops, online retailers, cocktail bars.

Brandy

Chinese brandy is mostly sold in China, but Asian supermarkets and specialist importers sometimes carry it.

Liqueurs

Green plum wine and osmanthus wine are the easiest to find, especially in Asian supermarkets in big European cities. Look in the drinks aisle, near the rice wines.

Baijiu

If you are looking for China's national spirit, see our guide Buying Baijiu in Europe: it is more widely available than Chinese whisky and gin.

Tips before you buy

• **Buy from reputable shops and importers**, especially for rare bottles.
• **Read the label:** the strength (酒精度), the volume, and for whisky the distillery and age if stated.
• **Start small:** look for miniatures or small bottles to taste several styles.
• **Ask in bars:** cocktail bars in big cities are often the first to try new Chinese spirits. Tasting before buying is the best guide.

What to look for first

1. A Chinese gin, for a gin and tonic with a Chinese twist. 2. A Chinese single malt, when you find one, to taste a new whisky country. 3. A green plum wine, for an easy, low-alcohol aperitif.

As production grows, more bottles will reach Europe: we will tell you when.

In one sentence

Look in specialist spirits shops and Asian supermarkets, start with gin, plum wine or a Chinese malt, and follow us for new arrivals.