spirits

Global drinks giant Diageo's consolidation of control over distiller Shui Jing Fang shows the conglomerate's faith that baijiu can rebound from its current slump and catch on with drinkers across the world. Read More

A newly released wealth study by Swiss bank Julius Baer has concluded that Chinese luxury consumers are not only making purchases more frequently, but are becoming savvier about their choices. Read More

A recent report of China's top 50 brands is sparse on luxury, with only a few wine and spirits companies making the cut. Read More

Amidst the continuing crackdown on banquet and gifting culture, recent Chinese news reports that Moutai baijiu can now be purchased for less then 800 RMB a bottle. Read More

Already the world's largest importer of cognac in terms of value, China is expected to surpass the US to become the top cognac consumer by 2020. Read More

Though makers of high-end baijiu have reportedly been hit hard by Beijing's ongoing frugality campaign, sales of imported liquor continue to plow ahead as more Chinese drinkers knock one back at home. Read More

Ranking second after the US in cognac consumption, China has quickly become the number one target market for cognac brands as the spirit remains the preferred tipple for many of the country’s wealthier, typically older and male, drinkers. Read More

With many locals still hung up on spirits like cognac or Scotch, a small but devoted coterie of Hong Kong-based bartenders are pushing the boundaries by creating a range of vermouths to fill the lack of “charisma” in the city's drinking scene. Read More

The Chinese government's ongoing crackdown on officials spending public money on high-priced liquor and banquets isn't just hitting the baijiu market in Beijing, it's causing a ripple effect throughout the country that seems to be benefiting the wine industry even in second-tier cities. Read More

We've previously noted the changing dynamics of China's culture of gift-giving, hastened by Beijing's recent crackdown on excessive spending by government officials, but this week, a new Hurun Report survey finds that two luxury segments in particular have been the hardest hit. Read More