Author: Mintel Group Ltd.
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Western Spirits - China - December 2018
Overview
 
What you need to know
After the slump in sales revenue between 2013 and 2015, the market for Western spirits in China has finally seen promising growth rate between 2017 and 2018. Consumers have regained their interest in alcoholic drinks because of increasing income levels, more exposure through e-commerce and the increasing focus on life quality. However, consumers still lack knowledge about certain types of Western spirits such as gin. Even some sub-categories like brandy or cognac, which enjoy relatively higher usage rates, are not fully understood by consumers in terms of ingredients used. Chinese consumers are still undergoing a learning process when it comes to Western spirits consumption. Increasing consumer knowledge and understanding in the category and of products in addition to usage occasions will contribute to future business growth. 

Covered in this Report
This Report covers all Western spirits (distilled beverages) and liqueurs (flavoured with fruit and herbs) in both retail and on-trade (HoReCa) channels, produced in Western markets and then sold in China, as follows:

●	Anis/absinthe includes absinthe, arak and similar spirits.
●	Brandies and brandy type include spirits derived from grapes/grape skins and includes Cognac, Armagnac, fruit based and traditional brandies and related spirits.
●	Gin-based includes gin, Geneva and ginebra.
●	Rum/sugar cane-based includes white and dark rum, ron & caña, aguardiente and other, local, sugar-based spirits.
●	Tequila includes tequila of all ages.
●	Vodka-based includes premium, standard and economy vodkas, aquavit and Scandinavian schnapps.
●	Whiskies include Scotch (whisky), Irish whiskey, Bourbon and other (local) whiskies. 

Excluded
●	Fortified, rice, yellow and related wines which have some form of fermentation. 
●	RTD mixers such as Breezers; RTD cocktails and long drinks.
●	Fortified wines (sherry, port, vermouth which have some fermentation). 
●	Rice wine/sake, yellow and other strong fermented wines.

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