Ladoga, the Russian maker and distributor of alcoholic beverages, has begun contract production of whiskey at Goalong Distillery in China. The initial run comprised 16,000 bottles that were shipped to Russia for sale, marking a notable step in the company’s cross-border manufacturing strategy. The development was reported by Kommersant [Kommersant].
The newly launched whiskey line is branded Cubao. Consumers can already find Cubao in Ladoga wine shops, and it is priced at 1,700 rubles for a 0.7-liter bottle with gift packaging.
Ladoga anticipates Cubao capturing up to a quarter of the Chinese domestic whiskey market as it expands its footprint in Asia. This projection reflects the company’s confidence in leveraging its own brand to address perceived gaps in quality and supply among existing Chinese whiskey offerings.
Veniamina Grabara, the president of Ladoga, explained that the decision to push an in-house label stems from a belief that current whiskey brands in China do not meet the company’s quality and volume expectations. The strategy focuses on driving consistency and scale through contract production with a trusted partner in China while maintaining brand control and direct distribution in select markets.
Turning to broader market trends, vodka sales in Russia were approaching record levels by year’s end. In 2023, the country logged sales of 75.6 million decaliters across retail channels, underscoring sustained consumer demand for strong spirits despite market fluctuations.
Earlier reporting noted that cognac production in the Russian Federation was set to increase by approximately 35% in 2023, signaling continued growth in premium and traditional spirits alongside new product initiatives such as Cubao. This broader movement reflects a resilient Russian spirits sector that balances domestic demand with strategic international partnerships and product diversification.