Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) owner The Artisanal Spirits Company has taken a big step in its export strategy by launching a franchise in India in a deal with PNM Tech Beverages.
Edinburgh-based ASC expects to dispatch its first shipment to India in the coming months.
It said the agreement demonstrates further progress in support of the group’s international growth strategy, expansion into new markets, and builds on SMWS’s launch in Vietnam earlier this year.
It also complements the more recent 2023 franchise launches in Korea and subsidiary in Taiwan respectively, alongside the longer established China and Japan subsidiaries.
India is the largest global Scotch Whisky market by volume. Whilst entry into the market is expected to deliver marginal returns initially, ASC believes it is an important area for growth as as the Indian whisky market further develops.
Additional SCN Markets
Across the broader group, Single Cask Nation is expanding into new markets. SCN began exports to Brazil for the first time in Q3, building on the addition of Denmark in the second half of 2024.
Brazil is the world’s 15th largest market for Ultra-Premium Whisky and is demonstrating a growing appeal, with sales having more than doubled in the last five years, now representing a $158m Ultra-Premium whisky market (of which 94% is Scotch.
Andrew Dane, CEO of Artisanal Spirits Company, commented: “We are continuing to build the SMWS business for the medium to longer term, growing our global presence with entry into exciting new markets such as India, as well as developing new opportunities for SCN, as we expand our whisky fan club globally.
“The Indian market, in particular, presents exciting potential for the group over the medium to longer term and we are delighted to welcome our new franchise partners, PNM Tech Beverages, to the wider SMWS family.
“We remain confident that the actions we are taking stand us in good stead to continue to deliver future growth.”
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