Pernod Ricard debuts locally made whiskey in new China strategy

EMEISHAN, China -- French alcohol producer Pernod Ricard unveiled its first locally distilled whiskey in China on Tuesday, looking to capture the evolving premium product market favored by affluent consumers.

Though whiskey accounts for only about 2% of alcohol consumption in a market dominated by baijiu white spirits, the French group said it chose the country due to a growing base of "discerning" drinkers.