While many great whiskeys are made in the United States, many other countries also bottle the popular spirit, and many of those countries will be hit hard by potential United States tariffs. Here are some of the most prominent examples.
1. Ardbeg – Scotland
Ardbeg whisky is made in a small settlement in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides and is known for its high quality. In 2022, the distillery broke a record by selling a 1975 cask of its whisky to a private collector for £16 million.
2. Powers – Ireland
Powers Whiskey was first distilled in 1791 by a Dublin innkeeper named James Power. The brand has been a popular option for hundreds of years. Pieces of the old distillery have now been incorporated into the National College of Art and Design.
3. Crown Royal – Canada
Crown Royal is one of the best-known whiskeys in the world. Created in 1939 by the Canadian company Seagram’s, to commemorate King George VI and Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Canada. All Crown Royal is produced at a single distillery in Gimli, Manitoba.
4. Laphroaig – Scotland
The whiskey-makers at the Laphroaig Distillery, located in Islay, Scotland, boast about their spirits’ rich flavor. Fans of the brand can also become Friends of Laphroaig, which allows them to lease one square foot of the distillery’s property. Each year they receive a symbolic dram of whiskey on site each year, but no actual royalty is paid.
5. The Macallan – Scotland
Founded in Craigallachie, Moray, Scotland, in 1824, the Macallan’s name comes from magh (fertile ground) and Allan (a local stream). That name has proven to be accurate, as the brand is one of the most popular whiskeys in the world. As with all Scottish whiskies, it could be subject to tariff-based price increases.
6. Brenne – France
This option is particularly French, as it is aged in premium cognac barrels.
Brenne was created by Alison Park, a former ballerina who changed careers to become a whiskey entrepreneur. France is subject to potential European Union tariffs.
7. Jameson – Ireland
Made at the New Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland, James is wildly popular with young people who like to take shots of it, and older folks who can’t make a proper Irish coffee without it. Those folks might have to look for different options if there is a price hike.
8. Sierra Norte – Mexico
Douglas French, a star Mezcal distiller, decided to try his hand at making whiskey in the mid-1990s and the result was Sierra Norte. French’s background is evident as the spirit uses corn from Oaxaca in the process.
9. Johnnie Walker – Scotland
Johnnie Walker is yet another Scottish whiskey that is renowned worldwide. The brand’s premium Blue Label option has become a status symbol for people, especially those looking to impress their clients by buying them a shot of Johnnie Blue on their corporate card. The spirit is made in one of multiple Scottish distilleries.
10. Milk & Honey – Tel Aviv
Israel is most known for its native spirit, Arak, and Gold Star Beer. Milk & Honey, distilled in Tel Aviv, is the first whiskey to be made in the country. It’s unclear what kind of tariffs Israeli goods will be facing. President Trump has said he has had great discussions with President Benjamin Netanyahu. However, no formal commitments or tariff reductions have been announced.
11. Oban – Scotland
Now owned by Diageo, the Oban distillery was founded by John and Hugh Stevenson in a town of the same name in 1794. The spirit is famed for coming from one of the smallest distilleries, which only has two pot stills. Considered to be among the world’s best, Oban’s cost could be increasing.
12. Kavalan – Taiwan
Whiskey has been popular in Asia for decades. Recently, companies like Kavalan, based in Taiwan, have begun to produce their own. Kavalan whisky has regularly won competitions and is considered among the finest spirits available globally by many in the industry.
13. Glenlivet – Scotland
In the 1700s and early 1800s, plenty of illegal scotch was being made in the Scottish Highlands, and distilling became legal in 1823. The following year, George Smith founded the Glenlivet distillery in Ballindalloch, Moray, Scotland, and the iconic whisky maker has been in continuous operation ever since then. The brand has several high-end options.
14. Hven – Sweden
Hailing from Hven, Sweden, this brand’s Old Hare whiskey is named after the rabbits that dot the countryside. The whiskey is an easygoing option for fans of Rye-style whiskey as the tasting notes include vanilla and caramel. To downplay the sweetness, Hven ages its spirit in sherry barrels.
15. Suntory – Japan
A Japanese businessman named Shinjiro Torii opened the Suntory company in 1899 and began to distill Japan’s first single malt whiskey in 1923. Suntory’s whisky offerings, which include Hakushu, Hibiki and Yamazaki, are sought after by fans. The pricey bottles may only rise if tariffs are to take effect.
16. Chivas Regal – Scotland
A favorite of Hunter S. Thompson and Frank Sinatra and immortalized in the Exorcist, Chivas Regal has plenty of name recognition and has been a popular option for decades. Founded in 1909 by the Chivas Brothers, the company is now owned by Pernod Ricard.
17. Tullamore Dew – Irish
Jameson might be the most popular whisky in Ireland, but Tullamore Dew isn’t far behind. The distillery was initially founded by Michael Molloy in 1829, and the D.E.W. part was later added to the name to honor Daniel E. Williams, an early General Manager who made a significant impact on the spirit.
18. Forty Creek – Canada
There are many famous whisky makers in Canada, but Forty Creek is one of the newest. The company, which was formed in 1992, has won several gold medals at spirits competitions worldwide and is known for providing a high-quality product at an affordable price, though that could change in the new environment.
19. Amrut – India
Most people don’t think of whisky in India, and with good reason. For decades, the only whisky available in the country was a blend of cheap scotch whisky. In 2004, the Amrut distillery began releasing top-notch spirits. The whisky is now available in several countries, including the United States.
Discover more DIY hacks and style inspo- Follow us to keep the glow-up coming to your feed!
Love content like this? Tap Follow at the top of the page to stay in the loop with the latest beauty trends, DIY tips, and style inspo. Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments — we love hearing from you!