474 - Why Don't European Whiskey Drinkers Care About Bourbon? with Henrik Brandt and Linus Jonsson
Aug 8, 2024
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Henrik Brandt from Denmark and Linus Jonsson from Sweden share their perspectives on bourbon's limited appeal in Europe. They discuss barriers such as accessibility, high prices compared to Scotch, and cultural stigma. The duo explores how tariffs affect pricing and the challenges of marketing bourbon. They also touch on the importance of education and storytelling to shift perceptions. Throughout the conversation, their passion for American whiskey shines through, revealing insights into the European whiskey landscape and its potential for growth.
European whiskey drinkers face limited access and minimal marketing of bourbons, leading to a lack of familiarity and exposure.
Stigmas surrounding American whiskey, influenced by misconceptions, hinder bourbon's reputation and appreciation in European markets.
Efforts to educate consumers and increase promotional events are essential for shifting cultural perceptions and growing bourbon's popularity abroad.
Deep dives
Holocaust Survival Calculator
The speaker shares a humorous anecdote about creating an Excel spreadsheet that calculates how long he can survive in his basement with his whiskey supply, estimating a potential survival time of 10.3 years alone or 2.2 years if accompanied by a friend. This light-hearted introduction serves to illustrate the passion and dedication many enthusiasts have towards bourbon and whiskey collecting. The humorous twist emphasizes how such interests can lead to quirky behaviors, like tracking bottle counts and consumption. This calculator not only showcases personal consumption habits but also underscores the speaker's commitment to enjoying whiskey.
Bourbon Boom vs. European Market
The podcast highlights a disparity in bourbon's popularity between the United States, where it is experiencing a boom, and Europe, where interest is comparatively low. This phenomenon is explored through the perspectives of guests from Denmark and Sweden, who identify barriers such as limited access, minimal marketing efforts, and a historical preference for Scotch whiskey in European markets. The discussion points out that while there's a strong bourbon market in the U.S., many Europeans are still unfamiliar with the variety and quality of American whiskey. Factors contributing to this disconnect include tariff-related price inflation and cultural differences in whiskey consumption.
Challenges of Access and Education
Limited access to a diverse selection of bourbons in European countries restricts consumer exposure, making it difficult for American whiskey to gain traction. Consumers often only encounter well-known brands like Jim Beam and Jack Daniel's, leaving little opportunity for them to explore lesser-known distilleries or craft products. The importance of education in helping consumers understand the nuances of bourbon production and its diversity is emphasized throughout the discussion. Efforts to introduce bourbon to European consumers are seen as lacking, particularly when compared to the successful marketing strategies employed by Scotch producers.
Perceptions and Stigmas in Whiskey Culture
Perceptions of American whiskey in Europe are shaped by preconceived notions and ingrained stigmas, often leading consumers to dismiss bourbons simply due to misconceptions. Many Europeans associate bourbon primarily with cheap shots or mixers rather than as a sipping spirit deserving of appreciation. This lack of awareness makes it essential for bourbon advocates to educate consumers about production methods and differentiate quality bourbons from popularized brands. Overcoming these stereotypes is recognized as a vital step in expanding bourbon’s market share in Europe.
Potential Pathways for Growth
The conversation identifies key avenues for increasing bourbon's visibility and acceptance in European markets, including the establishment of educational initiatives and promotional events. Collaboration with local whiskey clubs and organizing tastings can introduce bourbon to new audiences and help cultivate a genuine appreciation for American whiskey. The hosts emphasize the need for distilleries to invest in marketing efforts overseas, similar to the path taken by Scotch brands in the past. Ultimately, the belief is that dedication from enthusiasts and tastemakers will gradually shift cultural perceptions and spark greater interest in bourbon among European consumers.
A few months ago I came across an article on Vinepair that explained even though we are in the midst of a bourbon boom in American with everything feeling a modern day gold rush to collect every new bottle that comes out, it's the complete opposite in europe. Europeans aren't buying the bourbon boom. But why? To help dive into this, I figured we may as well go straight to the source and invite some europeans on the show. Henrik Brandt and Linus Jonsson are from Denmark and Sweden and give us an insight into what the bourbon scene looks like in their part of the world. We discuss the major issues with limited access, minimal marketing, stigma when compared to high age statement scotches, and how importing inflate prices.
Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about abolishing the three tier system.
How did you find bourbon even though you aren't from America?
What was the attraction to bourbon?
How hard has it been to spread the word of bourbon?
Is access the major issue why bourbon isn't proliferating?
Is there a stigma that exists about american whiskey?
Is the price too high when compared to scotch and how have the tariffs impacted it?
Are we ever going to have a culture shift?
Would having a celebrity backing help at all?
Why is blending more accepted?
How is bourbon marketed and how can you get the bottles sold off the shelf?