Distilled Spirits Council Leads Successful U.S. Distillery Trade Mission to East Asia
Tokyo and Taipei Events Showcase American Spirits
WASHINGTON – The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) recently led an American spirits trade mission of 18 U.S. distilleries to Tokyo and Taiwan, featuring events in two of East Asia’s most dynamic spirits markets.
The June 1–5 mission was part of DISCUS’ “Discover U.S. Spirits” campaign supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Market Access Program (MAP), which promotes the heritage, style and taste of American distilled spirits to the hospitality industry, adult consumers and media in key export markets.
In both cities, DISCUS hosted trade activations and exclusive media events where attendees sampled premium American spirits from craft distilleries across the country. The Tokyo program also featured an exclusive tasting event for spirits and government professionals at The Okura Tokyo. More than 200 Japanese and Taiwanese buyers, importers, media and on-premise professionals attended the events.
Featured distilleries included: Westland Distillery (WA); KOVAL (IL); Red Eye Louie’s (FL); Middle West Spirits (OH); Old Elk (CO); Garrison Brothers Distillery (TX); Whistling Andy Distillery (MT); Uncle Nearest (TN); Virginia Distillery Co. (VA); Augustum Liqueur (MI); Noble Oak (OH); Monkey in Paradise Vodka (FL); Greenhook Ginsmiths (NY); Finger Lakes Distilling (NY); Neversink Spirits (NY); IJW Whiskey (KY); New Riff Distilling (KY); Gold Bar Whiskey (CA); and J. Henry & Sons Family Farm Distillery (WI).
Japan and Taiwan are important markets for U.S. distilled spirits. Japan is the seventh largest U.S. export market for spirits and the fourth largest export market for American whiskeys. In 2025, U.S. spirits exports to Japan totaled more than $73 million, reflecting continued demand for premium American products.
Over the past year, exports to Taiwan have increased from just over $2 million to $4.1 million, and American whiskeys have increased from $1.5 million to $2.2 million during the same period.
“It is an exciting time for American spirits in East Asia,” said Joel Matticks, DISCUS export promotions manager. “Both Japan and Taiwan represent promising growth markets for U.S. spirits, positioning them as key destinations for export expansion. DISCUS looks forward to continuing to build upon the foundation of years of free and fair spirits trade between Japan and Taiwan and the United States, to advance the interests of U.S. producers and meet the growing demand of Japanese and Taiwanese adult consumers.”
-30-
About DISCUS: The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) represents the leading producers and marketers of distilled spirits and is the leading voice and advocate for distilled spirits in the United States. DISCUS advocates on legislative, regulatory and public affairs issues impacting the distilled spirits sector at the local, state, federal and international levels; promotes the distilled spirits sector, raising awareness and opening markets in the United States and around the globe; and encourages responsible and moderate consumption of distilled spirits as part of an enjoyable adult lifestyle based on evidence-based research and policy. The East Asia Trade Mission are supported by the U.S. Department of Agricutlures Market Access Program (MAP), which aims to educate the hospitality industry, adult consumers, and media in key spirits export markets on the taste, heritage, and style of American Distilled Spirits
The U.S. distilled spirits industry is committed to social responsibility. For those adults who choose to drink, they should do always so in moderation and responsibly. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Inc., prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, or other protected status. For more information, please visit: https://www.responsibility.org/
