If you’re a spirits producer looking to expand your footprint in Asia, simply having a quality product and a good importer is no longer enough. Today, the most successful brands are leveraging digital discovery platforms, local marketplaces, and industry-specific apps to get in front of importers, distributors, retailers, and even consumers.

In this in-depth guide, we break down the most important platforms by country and category so you can plug into Asia’s fast-moving spirits market — and understand why competitions like Asia Spirits Competition play a key role in brand visibility and validation.

Why Asia Is a Must-Tap Region for Spirits Brands

Asia is the fastest-growing region globally for spirits consumption and premiumization. Whether it’s the rise of cocktail culture in Tokyo, the growing interest in gin and craft spirits in Singapore, or the whisky boom in India, Asia is increasingly dictating global trends.

According to IWSR data:

• Premium spirits volumes in Asia are growing at over 6% CAGR, far outpacing global averages.
• Countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines are emerging as key markets for value and volume growth.
• Japan, South Korea, China, and India continue to lead in both consumption and brand premiumization.

Types of Platforms That Matter for Spirits Producers

To get discovered and succeed in Asia, producers need visibility across the following digital layers:

• B2B Marketplaces: For importers, distributors, and wholesalers to discover and evaluate your products.
• On-Trade & Bartender-Focused Apps: For placement in bars, restaurants, and cocktail venues.
• Retailer Networks & B2C Marketplaces: For brands doing D2C or working with local retail partners.
• Content & Education Platforms: Where buyers and professionals learn about new categories and products.
• Trade Competitions & Ratings: To get local validation, trust, and visibility.

Japan

Key B2B & On-Trade Platforms

• Sakenomy – Originally for sake, but expanding to premium craft drinks. Used by buyers to discover new Japanese and international brands.
• Nomunication.jp – A trade-focused site that profiles international spirits and provides deep industry insights.

Social & Local Apps

• LINE – Major messaging and business marketing platform. Local importers use LINE to communicate with retail clients and promote new arrivals.
• Rakuten & Amazon Japan – For brands already imported, getting onto these platforms significantly boosts brand awareness.

Image Credits: Sakenomy (Website)

South Korea

Where Buyers Discover Brands

• Drink Magazine Asia– An online and print magazine read by Korea’s bartending community. Great for earned media and product placement.
• Wine & More – One of the country’s largest liquor retail chains with digital sourcing operations.
• Coupang & Naver Store – South Korea’s e-commerce behemoths. If your distributor lists your product here, it’s a visibility gamechanger.

Apps to Be Aware Of

• KakaoTalk Business – South Korea’s dominant messaging app. Many importers use this to push product news and marketing.

China

Discovery & Marketplace Channels

• 1919.cn – One of the largest online spirits and wine platforms in China.
• JD.com & Tmall Global – Must-have retail presence if you’re working with distributors who serve eCommerce.

Social Discovery

• WeChat Mini Programs – Think of it as the App Store inside China’s #1 messaging app. Brands run promotions, CRM, and education campaigns through WeChat.
• Douyin (TikTok China) – Spirits education and product discovery increasingly happens here via influencers and bartenders.

Image Credit: WeChat Mini Programs (Website)

Vietnam

B2B & On-Trade Touchpoints

• HotShop.vn – A growing B2B platform used by HORECA buyers to source premium and imported drinks.
• RuouNgoai.net – A wholesale site focused on foreign spirits for bars and retailers.
• Saigon Bartender's Association (SBA) – Strong bartender network you should engage with via competitions, tastings, and events.

Local Marketplaces

• Shopee & Lazada Vietnam – Great visibility points for spirits if your distributor uses these platforms.
• GrabMart – Now features alcohol in some cities.

Thailand

Key Platforms

• Wine Garage Thailand – A digital distributor that works with hotels and restaurants
• Lazada & Shopee – Especially important for D2C-focused importers.

Industry Apps

• FoodStory POS – A POS system used by thousands of Thai restaurants. Partners can promote recommended spirits to bars using this software.

Image Credits: Lazada (Website)

Singapore

Discovery Channels

• EC Wines & Spirits Marketplace – A B2B and D2C site where you can get direct exposure.
• Alcohol Delivery Singapore – Partnering with such niche online retailers gives you access to affluent consumers.

Apps to Leverage

• Deliveroo / RedMart / FairPrice – Spirits are increasingly featured on Singapore’s retail and grocery platforms.

India

Key Platforms

• Living Liquidz & Nature’s Basket – Alcohol retailers with strong digital presence.
• HipBar (now merged with Swiggy) – Spirits delivery with compliance built-in. Spirits brands can promote via app collaborations.
• BarTalk India – Growing community of hospitality professionals and bartenders.

Buyer Engagement

• Local Distributors – Still the gatekeepers. However, having awards from Asia Spirits Competition can help you get their attention.
• Instagram Reels & WhatsApp Business – India’s new generation of importers and bar owners are often found here.

Image Credits: Living Liquidz (Website)

Why Competitions Like Asia Spirits Competition Are Strategic

Visibility on platforms is great, but credibility and trust remain a major barrier in Asia’s spirits trade.

That’s why winning a medal or even entering a recognized competition like Asia Spirits Competition can immediately signal:

• Quality validation by top trade judges in the region
• Market-readiness for importers looking to add new SKUs
• Media coverage and listing on regional guides
• Improved conversion rate on platforms like Shopee, JD.com, or with distributors who need sales hooks

Plus, all winning brands get ongoing digital promotion through the competition’s regional partners and media assets, giving you long-term ROI beyond a single award.

Smart Next Steps for Spirits Producers

Here’s what we recommend if you're targeting Asia in 2025:

• Audit your current visibility across B2B and B2C platforms in Asia.
• Enter the Asia Spirits Competition to get market validation and listing on key buyer guides.
• Identify 2–3 countries to go deep on (e.g., Japan + Vietnam + India).
• Build relationships with digital-first importers who already work across the apps above.
• Use your award medals to pitch for listings, influencer campaigns, and eCommerce promotions.
• Explore AI-powered tools like BeverageAgentAI to discover and contact the right buyers directly.

Asia is no longer just a future opportunity—it’s the present growth engine of the global spirits industry. But it’s also fragmented, fast-moving, and highly digital.

To win in Asia, spirits producers must treat market visibility as seriously as they treat product quality. Competitions like the Asia Spirits Competition are no longer just about medals—they're about strategic positioning.

Enter now. Get discovered. Get listed. And get pouring in Asia.

Header image generated by AI.