Milestone Beverages has announced a new collaboration with American importer Bedford & Grove that will see the company’s Onikishi Japanese Whisky line rolled out across the US.
The partnership aims to grow Milestone’s presence across the US and further solidify its position as a global leader in the wine and spirits industry, says the company’s managing director Joe Milner. “Bringing Onikishi to the US market is a milestone in our global expansion strategy,” he adds. “Our collaboration with Bedford & Grove is set to introduce American whisky enthusiasts to Onikishi’s distinctive flavours and culturally rich backstory, resonating with both connoisseurs and new consumers.”
Onikishi, positioned as a premium, entry-level blended Japanese whisky, includes three distinct offerings: Demon Knight Japanese Blended Whisky, Deadly Sakura Cherry Blossom Cask Whisky and Tenbatsu 12-Year-Old Japanese Whisky (below).
“Each product uniquely blends the rich heritage of Japanese whisky-making with bold, innovative branding that appeals to a diverse global audience,” says Milestone Beverages. It describes Onikishi’s eyecatching packaging – a fusion of modern manga and geometric patterns, with the classic look of sake and Japanese calligraphy – as a “homage to the duality of Japan’s ancient and modern cultures”.
Debuting both Demon Knight and Deadly Sakura in the Americas duty-free market, and expanding the brand’s footprint to Europe and elsewhere drove almost 360% growth in revenue, so there are high hopes for Onikishi’s release in the US.
Building customer-centric brands with global reach
An independent brand builder and incubator, Hong Kong-based Milestone Beverages is fast building a reputation for its ability to develop and market wine and spirits that celebrate diverse tastes. Its focus is developing scalable brands in trending categories with a global reach.
With a network of more than 70 international distributors, the company is dedicated to leveraging market insights and consumer demand to build accessible, customer-centric beverage brands. By working with contract manufacturers, bulk suppliers and marketing agencies, it creates value and fosters customer-centric brands that cater to a wide array of consumer preferences and demands.
Kentucky-based Bedford & Grove is a respected importer of fine spirits, and is known for its discerning selection of premium whiskies. With a focus on bringing exceptional products to the US market, Bedford & Grove partners with innovative distilleries around the world to offer American consumers unique and high-quality spirits.
Their expertise in navigating the complexities of import regulations and market trends ensures that they introduce only the finest spirits to the US market, making them the ideal partner for the launch of Milestone Beverages’ Onikishi Whisky line in the United States.
