Prakaan: Thailand’s First Premium Single Malt Makes Global Debut

In a historic move, Thailand has launched its inaugural premium single malt whisky, Prakaan, crafted by International Beverage (the global arm of ThaiBev). After earning acclaim in domestic and wider Asian markets in 2024, Prakaan’s Tribura Series is now rolling out in Europe (UK, France, Germany) in 2025, with the USA and additional markets soon to follow.

Heritage & Distillery Location

• Kamphaeng Phet Origins: Nestled in the UNESCO-listed Western Forest Complex of northern Thailand, Prakaan Distillery embraces a heritage reflected in its name – “Prakaan” meaning “wall” or “fort” – a tribute to the ancient fortifications of Kamphaeng Phet.
• Tribura Concept: The debut selection – Select Cask, Double Cask, and Peated Malt – is collectively known as the Tribura Series, symbolizing the tri-layered fortress once surrounding the city.

Production & Maturation

1. Local Ingredients & Methods
2. • Utilizes pure spring water from Western Forest Complex and Scottish-made copper pot stills (Forsyths).
2. Adaptive Ageing Storage
3. • Two expansive underground warehouses (holding 30,000–50,000 casks) manage tropical ageing in humid, heat-prone conditions to preserve quality.
3. Cask Maturation
4. • A blend of American ex‑bourbon and Spanish ex‑sherry barrels delivers tropical fruit, vanilla, and rich dried fruit flavors.

The Tribura Trio

Each whisky in the range has a 43% ABV and its unique flavor. The Select Cask is matured in American ex-bourbon casks and offers soft tropical fruits, zesty citrus, and caramelized pineapple, priced around £65 (US$70–90). The Double Cask combines bourbon and Spanish ex-sherry casks, delivering rich notes of chocolate, vanilla, syrupy pineapple, and ripe mango for about £74 (US$70–90). The Peated Malt, matured in bourbon casks with a hint of peat, features subtle smoke alongside caramel, honey, and grilled pineapple, costing around £69 (US$70–90).

Global Strategy & Ambitions

• Phased Roll‑Out: After its 2024 launch in Thailand and Asia, the 2025 focus began in the UK, France, and Germany; expansion into the U.S. and other territories is slated subsequently.
• Positioning Thai Whisky: CEO Veronica Amago describes the launch as “a historic day” aimed at placing Thai whisky on the global spirits map.
• Leveraging Expertise: Prakaan benefits from the sauces and infrastructure of ThaiBev and International Beverage, already home to Scotch brands like Old Pulteney, Balblair, Speyburn, and Hankey Bannister.

What This Means for the Whisky World

• Asia’s Emerging Whisky Force: Prakaan joins the ranks of acclaimed Asian whiskies from Japan, Taiwan, and India, along with contemporaries like Amrut and Kavalan, known for their high-quality tropical-aged expressions.
• Rapid Maturation Benefits: Thailand’s climate accelerates whisky maturation – enabling richer, mature profiles in shorter timeframes, a quality increasingly admired in global tasting circles.
• Tourism & Sustainability Potential: With ~11 million tourists visiting Kamphaeng Phet annually, the distillery is poised to become a tourism magnet while aligning with ThaiBev’s broader sustainability agenda.

Summing Up

Prakaan’s global debut marks a milestone in Thailand’s spirits journey: merging local heritage, tropical ageing prowess, and international production expertise into a truly unique whisky offering. Its calculated introduction to Europe, soon to be followed by the U.S. and other markets, underscores Thailand’s ambitions to rightfully stake its claim in the world of premium whisky.

The Tribura Series isn’t merely a product – it’s a story of country, climate, and craftsmanship distilled into each bottle.