HONG KONG. Silverbase Holdings, established ten years ago as the exclusive overseas distributor for famous Chinese liquor and cigarette brands, says it is feeling strong demand in new duty free markets outside Asia.
Showing at the TFWA World Exhibition for the first time this year, Hong Kong-based Silverbase was holding meetings for the Wuliangye brand of Chinese liquor and cigarette brands from major state-owned factories such as as Yun Yan, Guo Bao, Hongtashan, Yuxi, Ashima, Shuangxi, Dahongying, Liqun and Furongwang. The company already has established markets with growing numbers of Chinese visiting duty free shops in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Macau, Singapore and other parts of Asia.
Silverbase managing director Liang Guoxing told The Moodie Report: “We want to go into European markets and build up a strong presence. Asia Pacific is already established and is successful now.” The company has exhibited at the TFWA Asia Pacific show for the past three years.
All cigarette brands are virginia tobacco, but generally stronger than western brands and with each Chinese province having a different taste according to the company. Guo Bao is popular with Chinese from Sichuan province, whereas Hongtashan and Yun Yan are known in Yunnan province; Dahongying and Liqun in Shanghai province; and Shuangxi in Guangdong province.
Wuliangye (pictured below) at 52% ABV was the only Chinese spirit on show in Cannes.
This quality product, regarded as the pearl of the national wine culture in China and sponsor of the country’s Olympic delegations, retails in duty free for US$34 for 50cl and will soon increase to US$43.
Wuliangye Distillery products include Wuliangye, Wuliangchun, Wuliangshen, Wuliangchun, Wuhuye, Jianzhuang and parts of joint-venture products such as Wispy and Asian Vodka. There are four series, 25 varieties and over 50 SKUs.
Travel retail enquiries to Luk Wang Sang, Oriana at email: oriana@silverbase.com.hk
