cognac | Ambrosia India

The culture of gifting in Southeast Asia is evolving, and luxury wines and spirits are at the centre of this trend. Once seen mainly as status symbols, premium bottles are now chosen for their stories, craftsmanship, and cultural resonance. From Singapore to Vietnam, gifting is growing, driven by changing preferences, digital commerce, and premiumisation of F&B.

Affluent consumers are moving beyond imported classics to gifts that reflect local identity. Artisanal spirits such as Bali’s Iwak Arumery, Singapore’s Tanglin Gin, and Thailand’s Chalong Bay Rum showcase heritage-driven narratives through indigenous ingredients and traditional techniques. Similarly, the Philippines’ Don Papa rum draws on folklore and history to create an emotional bond.

Experiences Over Bottles

Packaging and presentation are increasingly as important as the liquid. Limited-edition bottles, collectible sets, and artistic collaborations elevate gifting, while immersive experiences with personalised labels and glassware turn a bottle into a celebration.

Festivals and milestones further drive demand. From Songkran in Thailand to Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam and weddings in Indonesia, luxury alcohol has become a prestigious part of celebrations. Corporate gifting, anniversaries, and personal milestones continue to be in vogue, often with bespoke sets.

E-commerce is fuelling the trend, offering curated packs, same-day delivery, and customisation such as engraved labels. The unboxing experience is now part of the value proposition, making online platforms vital for reaching affluent consumers in Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila.

Sustainability Meets Premiumisation

Wealthier consumers are increasingly conscious of environmental and ethical practices. Eco-friendly packaging, sustainable sourcing, and transparent production are shaping gifting choices, blending luxury with conscience.

The luxury wine and spirits segment is poised for strong growth. Singapore continues to position itself as a regional hub, while Vietnam and Thailand are emerging as high-potential markets with expanding fine dining cultures. Even in traditionally conservative markets like Indonesia and Malaysia, discreet but premium gifting is gaining ground among urban elites.

Luxury gifting is no longer just about indulgence—it is about culture, story, and experience. With digital platforms enhancing accessibility, heritage brands adding authenticity, and sustainability guiding decisions, the future of gifting in Southeast Asia is premium, personalised, and meaningful.

Singapore: A Regional Hub for Premium Gifting
As Southeast Asia’s financial hub, Singapore leads the luxury wine and spirits market with a strong corporate gifting culture. Premium wines, rare whiskies, and collectible editions dominate, particularly during Lunar New Year. With advanced e-commerce and duty-free at Changi, personalisation and curated sets are driving demand. Prestige brands like Dom Pérignon, Hennessy, Macallan, and Glenfiddich are go-to gifting staples.

Thailand: Tradition Meets Celebration
Thailand’s festive calendar, especially Songkran and year-end corporate occasions, drives gifting. Rum and whisky lead, with Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Moët & Chandon popular among elites. Local craft spirit Chalong Bay rum adds authenticity and cultural depth.

Vietnam: Emerging Fine Wine Market
Vietnam is one of Asia’s fastest-growing wine markets, with Tet as the peak gifting season. French wines, especially Bordeaux and Burgundy, symbolise prestige, while Martell, Rémy Martin, and fine Cognacs remain staples. Younger professionals are also embracing alternatives like Don Papa rum for its storytelling appeal.

Indonesia & Malaysia: Discreet but Growing
In stricter markets, luxury gifting is discreet but aspirational. Weddings, corporate milestones, and private parties feature Johnnie Walker Blue, Royal Salute, Chivas Regal 25, and Macallan Rare Cask, often gifted in bespoke or limited editions.

With cultural collaborations, limited editions, and experiential packaging, luxury wines and spirits continue to shape Southeast Asia’s gifting culture—premium, personal, and meaningful.

With brandy being the favourite tipple of the South, little wonder Accord is moving into the Cognac space as the shift to premium becomes the norm of the industry.

Chennai based, Accord Distillers & Brewers Private Limited, with two distilleries in Goa and Chennai, and a manufacturing capacity of 1 million cases per month, and one of the largest beer producer in South India is making its presence felt across the Indian States and is exporting to South East Asia, West Asia, Africa and other countries. They also import Scotch and Cognac to sell across the Indian subcontinent and to export to other countries and are now venturing in production of high-end Cognacs.

They have allied with Carlsberg to produce and market their commodities in Tamil Nadu and throughout the country.

Henry X special reserve Brandy XO is the latest offering from Accord Distilleries. It is the world’s first XO brandy and is currently available at select outlets in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Goa.

Henry X special reserve Brandy XO – a brandy with floral notes, with an opening nose of vanilla, honey and prune that evolves to mellow wine, sweet oak accents and finishes with a satin-smooth, languid fade. Bestowed with a revered lineage and backed by an equally legendary status, the House of Bardinet has set the benchmark in creating the perfect French grape brandy.

Right from handpicking the choicest of grapes from the finest vineyards in France to distilling the spirits and maturing them for 5 years in fine oak casks, Henry X special reserve Brandy XO weaves its lingering magic on the discerning palate, says P. K. Das, CEO, The Accord Group.

Sure enough, Henry X special reserve Brandy XO promises to be a Connoisseur’s Delight and is priced at `2,400 the most highly priced Cognac in Tamil Nadu, he adds. XO brandy is India’s only 100% pure french grape brandy. It is being sold in mono cartons and the packaging is done in India by Manohar Packaging. The Cognac bottles are imported from China. As it is a high-end brand the target for Hobson’s is 2,000 cases per month, says R Kumar, Director, Operations. The premium market growth is 33%.

Total sales in Tamil Nadu in the premium segment for the period April to August 2019 is 6.8 million cases as compared to 5.1 million cases during the same period in August 2018.

The company’s other brands include Age de Oak (Premium), Holandas Spanish VSOP Brandy, Missionary Monk, Royal Accord Gold, Blender Magic, King Nap, Accord French, Wonderland, Accord No. 1, and Evening Walker.

Age De Oak is an exquisite blend with imported matured french grape brandy, which is produced by double distilling the wine made from selected variety of ugni blanc french grapes in a copper pot still and superiorly Aged in Limousin Oakwood cask to give a brilliant amber colour, mellow, full-bodied, long warming and silky soft mouthfeel. Total growth in this premium segment is 2% with sales of 4,500 cases during April to August 2019.

The Holandas Spanish VSOP brandy blended with imported grape spirit from Spain, that is fine distilled in a copper still and traditionally aged in oak wood casks to excellence to give you rich colour, overpowering aroma, fuller and smoother mouthfeel.

A rare blended with selected grape spirit to give it brilliant colour, a pleasing aroma, strong body and mellow. Holandas Spanish retails between `201 to `280 and sales for five months is 52,000 cases. Their other brands are Missionary and Royal Accord Blue.

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Accord steps up premium push with high-end Cognac

With brandy being the favourite tipple of the South, little wonder Accord is moving into the Cognac space as the shift to premium becomes the norm of the industry.