In an industry where precision, reliability, and global agility are non-negotiable, Ethimex Ltd. has carved out a leading position over the past 25 years. Founded in London by Charles Edge, the independent company has grown to become one of the top three suppliers of alcohol to the beverage and food sectors. With operations spanning six continents, Ethimex provides everything from ethanol and bulk spirits to proprietary cask solutions—and does so with a practical, customer-first philosophy that’s resonated across the supply chain. We caught up with the team at Ethimex to better understand the shifting landscape of bulk alcohol, the rise of global spirit trends, and how the company continues to deliver value in one of the most dynamic sectors of the beverage industry.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

Ethimex has been operating for over two decades. What key principles have shaped the company’s growth and set it apart from competitors?

Our journey over the past 25 years has been guided by a strong commitment to doing the basics well—consistently and with integrity. From day one, our focus has been on delivering not just high-quality alcohol and casks, but also unmatched service, technical expertise and operational reliability. In an industry where supply chain volatility is common, our clients value that we show up, solve problems and deliver on our promises.

Behind the scenes, our global infrastructure and compliance capabilities give us a unique edge. This allows us to scale quickly and act as a real extension of our clients' operations. But it’s our people who truly make the difference. We bring a hands-on, problem-solving mindset to every partnership—whether that’s advising on a new product blend or helping a startup navigate multi-market certification.

You offer a diverse range of ethanol grades and bulk spirits. Which products are currently most in demand, and how is this shifting?

Demand is strong across our portfolio, but we’re seeing clear growth areas. In the UK and Europe, rum continues to be a standout—both from established players and new entrants experimenting with different expressions. Agave spirits like tequila and mezcal are also gaining traction, driven by global demand for authentic and traceable products.

We’ve also seen increasing interest in alternative ethanol sources, particularly potato-based ethanol, due to its purity and flexibility. Meanwhile, rice-based spirits and regional categories like Shochu and Soju are growing fast, especially as Asian cuisine and cultural influence continue to expand worldwide.

For instance, we recently partnered with a global beer company to develop a Shochu RTD, supporting the entire journey from concept to supply chain build-out. It’s a great example of how we support clients with more than just raw materials—we help bring new products to life.

You work with both FTSE 100 companies and craft distillers. How do you tailor your services to such diverse client needs?

It all comes down to flexibility and understanding what matters to each client. For larger multinationals, the priorities are often speed, consistency and scalability. These clients typically know what they want, and they trust us to deliver it—fast and reliably. That’s where our global stockholding and logistics expertise shine.

On the other hand, for craft and emerging producers, we provide more consultative support—guiding them through logistics, certifications, sourcing strategy, and navigating international compliance frameworks. We see ourselves not just as a supplier, but as a growth partner. Achieving BRCGS accreditation recently was a major step in reinforcing our commitment to quality and compliance, giving both large and small clients the confidence to move forward.

With operations across six continents, how does Ethimex ensure smooth sourcing and distribution globally?

The key is long-standing relationships and regional presence. We work closely with trusted producers and logistics partners that we’ve built relationships with over decades. This allows us to remain agile and reliable, even when global markets are under pressure. We also believe in boots-on-the-ground leadership. For example, our commercial head in Latin America, Richard Bayles, regularly visits partner distilleries and manages operations directly. This level of local engagement provides real-time visibility into quality and availability while strengthening supply chain resilience.

Our strategic stockholding across the UK, Europe, and the U.S. means we can deliver faster and more consistently, which is essential in this fast-moving industry.

Sustainability is a rising concern across the alcohol industry. How is Ethimex responding to this, especially in ethanol and packaging?

We view sustainability as a long-term priority and an area where we can have real impact. In Europe, we offer Low Carbon Certified Ethanol, which significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional ethanol. While still niche, it represents a meaningful step toward lower-impact production. We’ve also restructured parts of our supply chain to favour regionally aligned sourcing, reducing transport miles and working with partners who share higher environmental standards.

In packaging and cask solutions, we’re taking a thoughtful approach. Ethimex Cask Solutions, for instance, works with forestry and ecological consultants at origin to ensure sustainable and traceable virgin cask production. We’re not chasing quick wins—we’re building a framework that supports viable sustainability practices across the entire supply chain.

Ethimex Cask Solutions has grown significantly since 2012. What trends are you seeing in whisky maturation and cask preferences across different markets?

Since becoming a dedicated business unit in 2012, Ethimex Cask Solutions has seen steady growth in demand for classic maturation options—particularly ex-Bourbon, red wine, and Sherry casks. However, the real momentum has come from the rise in product innovation, with distillers increasingly exploring more niche and characterful wood types.

There’s been a noticeable uptick in interest around fortified wine casks, especially lesser-used varieties like Madeira, Palo Cortado, Marsala, Vin Santo, Commanderia, and regional Muscat wines. Post-Covid, many whisky producers have refocused on core expressions—prioritising quality and consistency over volume-driven innovation. That said, we anticipate a renewed appetite for cask differentiation by late 2026, as brands seek to stand out in a competitive market while balancing creativity with commercial realities We’re also seeing promising cask-finishing experimentation in rum and tequila, still-emerging categories in this space. Recent projects have included finishes in Mizunara, Peated Islay, Andean Oak, Vin Santo, and Vermouth casks.

The introduction of the proprietary 200L Andean Oak Casks has been well received. What makes these casks unique, and how have they impacted whisky aging?

We've been producing our proprietary W-200-QH Andean Oak casks for nearly a decade now, crafted from sustainably-logged Andean Oak (Quercus humboldtii)—a lumber sourcing process which we manage directly in conjunction with local government ecologists and forestry engineers at origin. While many of the larger projects remain under wraps for now, a few publicly released examples of expressions matured or finished in Andean Oak include Bruichladdich, Tomatin, Black Bottle, Waterford, and Mount Gay. Ethimex’s Andean Oak barrels offer a unique profile that could be said to sit somewhere between American and French oak, but really carries its own distinctive signature ‘off to one side’! They leave a very interesting yet gentle phenolic fingerprint whilst still imparting vanillin and spice.

We produce these in a range of internal finishes from light toast to heavy char, giving producers flexibility in how they approach maturation. The response from the industry has been overwhelmingly positive, and we're proud to be supporting such a wide range of ageing programmes around the world with something truly innovative and distinctive.

Looking ahead, what are the biggest challenges and opportunities for Ethimex in the bulk spirits and ethanol industry?

The global bulk spirits and ethanol industry is at a real inflection point. One of the biggest challenges - and also the biggest opportunity, is adapting to a more fragmented, less predictable market. Geopolitical shifts, trade policy changes, and sustainability regulations are reshaping how and where products move. At Ethimex, we see this as a call to stay agile, deepen relationships with trusted suppliers, and continue investing in smart, strategic sourcing. At the same time, consumer preferences are shifting fast, particularly in emerging markets and in response to global food and drink trends. We're seeing exciting opportunities around regional spirits, alternative grains, and innovation in cask maturation and RTD formulations. Our job at Ethimex is to simplify complexity for our partners. To bring deep market insight, robust logistics, and consistently high-quality products to the table, so our clients can stay focused on growth. That’s the opportunity we’re leaning into.

How do you see global trade policies, tariffs, and economic fluctuations impacting the bulk spirits and ethanol market?

Trade policies and tariffs have always shaped the bulk alcohol market - especially ethanol, which is highly regulated due to its agricultural origin and wide-ranging end uses. While some see recent tariff changes as disruptive, for us at Ethimex, they’re part of the broader challenge of operating in a complex global landscape. We’re seeing growing protectionism in certain markets, and that does create friction, particularly for bulk spirits like whisky and rum, which can be heavily impacted by sudden duty shifts. Ethanol has long been a high-tariff product, so we’ve built our business with that reality in mind. Our team stays ahead by closely tracking regulatory changes and maintaining flexible sourcing strategies that minimise risk for our clients. What’s critical is remaining well informed of Economic fluctuations and shifting trade policies, however what’s changed is the speed at which markets react. Our clients, whether multinationals or independent producers, need partners who can provide clarity, guidance, and dependable supply, even when the rules of the game are changing. At Ethimex, we’re focused on turning complexity into opportunity. Whether that’s navigating new tariff structures or helping brands re-think sourcing strategies to remain competitive and compliant.

What’s next for Ethimex? Are there any new markets, innovations, or services you’re looking to expand into?

Looking ahead, our focus is on scaling what we do best and doing it more efficiently. That means expanding our stockholding capabilities in key locations so we can meet demand faster. We’re not simply chasing novelty, but we are deepening our offering in areas like RTD formulation and premium cask solutions. Market-wise, Southeast Asia is a region we’re closely watching. With evolving regulation and new trade agreements developing, there’s a real potential for growth, provided that decisions are accompanied with thoughtful navigation of the local landscape. Through it all, our mission remains the same: to be the trusted partner behind the world’s best beverage and alcohol brands. High-quality products, expert advice, and supply chain support that remove complexity and provide real value–that's what we’re here to offer.

As the alcohol industry grows more global, dynamic, and complex, Ethimex continues to stand out not just for its extensive product portfolio but for its ability to provide smart, responsive solutions tailored to each client’s needs. Whether you're launching a bold new spirit, scaling production, or navigating compliance hurdles, Ethimex proves that in a world of commodity supply there’s still room for partnership, precision and purpose.

Header image sourced from Ethimex Ltd.