SOUTH KOREA. Lotte Duty Free has sealed a partnership with King Car Group – the producer of Taiwan’s popular Kavalan whisky – to extend the single malt brand’s footstep in the global channel.
A ceremony to mark the signing of the MOU was held on 27 March, with key officials including Lotte Duty Free Head of Merchandising Group Seung Kook Lee, Lotte Duty Free Head of Product Division 1 Lim Hyung-il, King Car Group CEO Albert Lee and King Car Group Head of International Business Cyndi Lin at the event.
The two companies plan to open a Kavalan flagship within the downtown Seoul Lotte Duty Free store and to develop exclusive Kavalan products. Overseas expansion is also targeted, with Kavalan stores expected to open at Singapore Changi, Melbourne, Guam International and Vietnam’s Hanoi Nội Bài International airports.
Kavalan whisky was featured by Lotte Duty Free for the first time in domestic duty free in 2017. The travel retailer noted the brand’s popularity, with its sales of Kavalan expressions increasing by over 3,580% last year.
Lotte Duty Free Head of Merchandising Seung Kook Lee commented: “We plan to expand Kavalan whisky products to Lotte Duty Free’s main channels by establishing a strong cooperative relationship with King Car Group.
“We will continue to strengthen partnerships with global brands and product-buying competitiveness to provide Lotte Duty Free customers with differentiated lines.”
The Kavalan Distillery is regarded as a pioneer in the art of single malt whisky in Taiwan. Since its opening in 2006, its whiskies have claimed over 700 medals at leading spirits competitions.
Kavalan is part of the King Car Group whose owner, Tien-Tsai Lee, is a classical music fan, with many of the brand’s whiskies having classical music-themed names. Kavalan Classic single malt was released in 2008, and was followed by single cask Solist, Conductor and Concertmaster.
The Kavalan portfolio includes Pedro Jimenez Sherry Solist, Port Solist and Vinobarique Solist, with all three strong sellers on Lotte Duty Free’s online store, which has seen “an explosive increase in sales”. ✈
