Talent, Product Innovation and Distribution Advance in Tandem to Bring Taiwanese Baijiu to the World
SEOUL, South Korea and BUSAN, South Korea, Oct. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor (KKL), which has been honing the craft of kaoliang distilling for more than 70 years, is accelerating its international expansion in 2026 by reaching out to younger consumers, diversifying its product portfolio and expanding into new markets.
KKL has earned accolades at global spirits competitions, invested in bartender training and overseas guest appearances at leading bars, and drawn strong buyer interest at this year’s FHA–Food & Beverage 2026 in Singapore. The show yielded distribution agreements and new customer orders in Malaysia and Singapore, marking tangible progress in Southeast Asia. This October, KKL will join the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) at SIAL Paris 2026, the world’s largest food trade show. For 2027, KKL plans to take part in the Seoul Bar & Spirits Show and host tasting events across Southeast Asia. By advancing on three fronts — talent development, product innovation and distribution — KKL is shifting its overseas efforts from building brand awareness to establishing a lasting market presence.
From Campus to the World’s Bars: Kinmen Kaoliang Cup Builds an International Talent Pipeline
Beyond bringing its products to new markets, KKL is working to put Taiwan’s bartending talent on the international stage. The company’s Kinmen Kaoliang Cup cocktail competition features student and professional divisions, creating a pathway from nurturing emerging talent on campus to industry engagement and international exchange for professional bartenders. In 2026, the top three finishers in the competition’s professional division represented KKL as guest bartenders at leading South Korean bars. Centering their creations on Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor, the trio brought Taiwan’s terroir and contemporary mixology to the international bar scene, giving audiences worldwide a taste of Taiwan’s spirits while showcasing the creative energy of its bartenders.
Their overseas guest appearances are not the end of the journey. After returning to Taiwan, the three bartenders will, for the first time, take their talents on the road as part of the 2026 KK Bar Cocktail Guide—Kinmen Kaoliang Cocktail Guide, making a series of pop-up guest appearances at partner bars across the island. The initiative brings the fruits of international exchange back to the Taiwanese market and invites more consumers to rediscover the distinctive flavors of Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor.
Strong Buyer Interest in Singapore and Exclusive Distributor Secured in Malaysia: From Global Exposure to Commercial Results
At FHA–Food & Beverage 2026 in Singapore, KKL attracted strong interest from international buyers and spirits distributors, securing new orders and partnership leads—an important step in strengthening its Southeast Asian distribution network. Generations ago, many Kinmen residents crossed the seas in search of opportunity, putting down roots and building thriving communities across Singapore, Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia. Those deep bonds of kinship, together with a network of Kinmen community associations across the region, now provide a powerful cultural bridge as KKL takes its brand to the world. Word-of-mouth recommendations within these communities, along with local business connections, have greatly accelerated the brand’s expansion into new markets.
Building on its Southeast Asian momentum, KKL is scheduled to join forces with TAITRA and a group of leading Taiwanese food companies as part of a “Team Taiwan” delegation at SIAL Paris, one of the world’s largest food trade shows, this October. The delegation will target opportunities in Western fine dining and premium spirits markets. In 2027, KKL plans to exhibit at the Seoul Bar & Spirits Show, one of Asia’s major professional bar and spirits exhibitions. Building on its existing presence in South Korea and relationships with the country’s bar community, the brand will connect with international bartenders, bar operators, and younger consumers. KKL will also host tasting events across Southeast Asia in partnership with local distributors, deepening its long-term engagement with both the market and consumers in the region.
From Signature Kaoliang Spirit to a Diversified Portfolio: Innovative Flavors for Global Markets
As KKL’s global footprint expands, the distiller is developing innovative products tailored to diverse markets, generations and drinking cultures. Drawing on more than seven decades of kaoliang distilling expertise, KKL has expanded its portfolio beyond its classic Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor. The lineup now includes cask-finished specialty spirits, kaoliang beer, KKL’s own whisky and low-ABV ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails. With different alcohol strengths and flavor profiles suited to a variety of drinking occasions, KKL is giving consumers worldwide more ways to discover the world of Kinmen Kaoliang—and these innovative releases have already generated a positive response in the market.
According to KKL, international expansion is about more than selling products in more markets. The company is focused on building a lasting and sustainable foundation overseas through talent development, product innovation, and strong distribution networks. Looking ahead, KKL will build on its distilling expertise and continue to expand through international trade shows, distribution partnerships, bartender exchanges, and a diversified product portfolio. The company is committed to helping the world move beyond simply discovering Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor to truly understanding and appreciating it—bringing Taiwanese baijiu, together with Kinmen’s distinctive terroir, craftsmanship and spirit of innovation, to an ever-wider global audience.
Press Materials: https://reurl.cc/jVpG9n
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/kinmen-kaoliang-liquor-accelerates-global-expansion-from-asia-into-europe-and-north-america-302897707.html
SOURCE Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Inc.
