OREANDA-NEWS. On June 26, 2008 Asahi Breweries Ltd. said that it will begin exporting whiskey to Russia in July.

By teaming up with major Russian liquor wholesaler AST, Asahi Breweries will export some 10 whiskey products of subsidiary Nikka Whisky Distilling Co., including "Yoichi" and "Taketsuru," to the Russian market.

Asahi Breweries expects to sell 2,000 cases this year and aims to boost the annual sales to 10,000 cases in 2010 by tapping into Russia's burgeoning affluence. In value, the firm hopes that 2010 sales will reach 100 million yen.

Asahi Breweries fully launched Nikka whiskey products in Europe in 2006, and sales totaled 12,000 cases in 2007.

Japanese whiskey is increasingly popular among Europeans.

The Yoichi whiskey and Suntory Ltd.'s "Hibiki" brand whiskey won the best prizes of Britain's World Whisky Award this year.