The company behind Camus Cognac is to build a whisky distillery in China.
The French spirits company broke ground on the site of the US$30 million Guqi Distillery in Bozhou, Anhui province, on 21 November.
Camus said the new distillery combine Chinese knowledge on fermentation, Scottish distillation techniques, and ageing and blending methods from Cognac to create its single malt whiskies.
With construction on the new facility now underway, production is scheduled to begin in 2025.
To create its new Chinese distillery, Camus has partnered with Gujinggong, the fourth-largest producer of baijiu in China. It has stated its aim for Guqi to make “the world’s most aromatic whiskies”.
Cyril Camus said: “As we look to the future, we see Guqi as a pioneer in the world of spirits, renowned for innovation, unique experiences, and a brand synonymous with quality and excellence.”
Once the distillery opens, it will also have a visitor experience which the Camus team hope will become a destination for whisky enthusiasts.
Camus is not the only foreign drinks power investing in single malt whisky production in China. Pernod Ricard was the first, breaking ground on its US$150 million distillery The Chuan, in Emeishan, in August 2021. Three months later, Diageo announced the start of construction on its US$75 million Eryuan Distillery in Yunnan Province. In late 2022, construction started on the Nine Rivers Distillery, which is backed by a group of international investors, with hopes that it will start spirit production this year.
