SANTA FE, NM (For Immediate Release)—Santa Fe Spirits, New Mexico’s largest distillery, has shipped its first order of Colkegan Single Malt to Japan. This is the third international market for the growing distillery based in the high desert mountain town of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
“The Japanese really know their whiskey, so we are honored they are demanding our product,” said Santa Fe Spirits owner and founder Colin Keegan. “We are excited that our hard work is driving global interest.”
The distillery has partnered with Premium Beverages, a premier distributor of American craft spirits in Asia.
“There is a big demand for American single malt in Japan. The Japanese market had been focused on Scotland for ages, but with the rise of American craft spirits the Japanese are shifting their attention to America, and the single malts are a familiar face. We are lucky to have one of the best American single malts on the market,” said Paul Flint, principal of Premium Beverages.
The Japanese market is radically different than the U.S. notes Flint. As an importer and distributor, his company can sell direct to consumers in addition to on- and off-premise accounts. Premium Beverages will market Colkegan at large events like the Tokyo City Horse Races, whiskey festivals and even at the U.S. embassy.
Santa Fe Spirits’ expansion into Japan comes on the heels of domestic expansion as well. The company has added distribution in Illinois to grow its domestic distribution to nine states. It also is breaking ground on a 4,000 square-foot warehouse to expand its whiskey aging operations.
“We have been growing so fast we have outgrown our current facility. This new building will allow us to put away much more whiskey and expand out bottling capacity to meet our growth plan over the next 4-5 years,” said Santa Fe Spirits Keegan.
About: Santa Fe Spirits was founded in 2010 by owner Colin Keegan, who settled in Santa Fe from his native Newcastle, England more than 20 years ago. Keegan and the Santa Fe Spirits make spirits inspired by the Southwest and New Mexico. Colkegan Single Malt uses a unique blend of mesquite-smoked malts, while Wheeler’s Gin uses local botanicals like cholla cactus blossom and desert sage, among others. The company’s spirits have consistently been recognized as some of the best in the country by the American Distilling Institute, Ultimate Beverage Challenge, Beverage Testing Institute and Whisky Magazine.
For more information, contact Adam Vincent, marketing manager: adam@santafespirits.com or 505-467-8892.