SEOUL, South Korea’s imports of whiskey surpassed 30,000 tons for the first time to hit an all-time high last year amid rising popularity of whiskey-based cocktails, customs data showed Tuesday.

Imports of whiskey products came to 30,586 tons in 2023, up 13.1 percent from 27,038 tons a year earlier, according to data compiled by the Korea Customs Service.

But the combined value of imported whiskeys decreased 2.7 percent on-year to US$259.6 million on increased shipments of cheaper ones.

Market observers attributed the sharp increase in volume of imported whiskey to the high popularity of highball cocktails, a mix of usually cheaper whiskey and a carbonated beverage, among those in their 20s or 30s.

Meanwhile, imports of wine dropped for the second consecutive year last year on reduced home consumption following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The volume of imported wine slid a record 20.1 percent to 56,542 tons.

The value of imported wines also decreased to $506 million last year from $581.3 million a year ago.

Source: Yonhap News Agency