The Pernod Ricard-owned spirits retailer The Whisky Exchange has brought the first Korean-made single malt whisky to the UK market.
The 70cl Ki One brand’s Virgin Oak variety will be sold from today (1 August) at a RRP of £79.95.
It will be available at the retailer’s three brick-and-mortar stores in London and online through its own website. The product will also be supplied through the group’s wholesale branch, Specialty Drinks.
Ki One is produced by Three Societies distillery, set up in South Korean province Gyeonggi-do in 2020 by Bryan Do and Andrew Shand.
The brand's full range also includes other single cask whisky varieties and a couple of single malt gins, which are sold in Korea and the US.
Commenting on the news in a statement, buying director at The Whisky Exchange, Dawn Davies, said: “We’re always on the lookout for up-and-coming distilleries from all over the world, so when we had the opportunity to launch Ki One in the UK we jumped at it.
“This distillery is one to watch in the coming years, with big ambitions and great potential.
“It’s exciting to continue to see more whiskies of quality coming out of Asia, and to be such an integral part in the story of Korea’s first single malt journey is something we’re really proud of.”
When asked to explain why the group felt Korean whisky would appeal to the UK market at the moment, Davies added: “Customers love a first and people in the UK are getting much more curious and experimental with what they are drinking when it comes to whisky… With Scotch prices always heading north people are looking outside for good whiskies to drink.”
Founded in 1999, the London-headquartered Whisky Exchange sells a range of specialty spirits, through its online, e-commerce and trade customer channels across the UK. Its portfolio includes Edgrington's Macallan and Diageo's Talisker Scotch, world whiskies such as Pernod Midleton Irish whisky, as well as a number of other spirits, wines and liqueurs.
The retailer was snapped up by Pernod Ricard in 2021 as it looked to boost its presence in e-commerce and serve consumers that were looking for more premium spirits products.
