Camus kicks off Chinese whisky production

Cognac maker Camus has started whisky production at its US$30 million Guqi Distillery in China, which was launched in collaboration with one of the world’s biggest baijiu brands.

In November 2023, Camus revealed plans to build a multi-million-dollar whisky distillery in Bozhou, China. The plan to build a distillery had been in the works since early 2022. The distillery is being built in partnership with the fourth‐biggest baijiu brand in the world, Gujinggong.

The Guqi Distillery, located adjacent to Gujinggong’s distillery in Bozhou, aims to make the ‘most aromatic whiskies in the world’.

It will focus on two types of whisky: premium single malts featuring ‘intense aromatic profiles’ and herbal whiskies infused with traditional Chinese herbs.

The new site is said to represent a ‘groundbreaking fusion of Eastern and Western spirits expertise’ by combining Chinese baijiu fermentation techniques, France’s ‘complex’ distillation and blending methods and Scotland’s ‘mastery of oak maturation’.

“At Guqi, we believe that greatness comes from drawing inspiration across time and cultures. Through the combination of ancient Chinese wisdom and modern Western techniques, we are reimagining what is possible in whisky,” said Ryan Camus, general manager of Guqi Distillery.

Camus said the terroir of the Bozhou region provides a number of benefits for whisky production including its ‘mineral-rich, naturally alkaline’ water, and the ‘intense seasonal climate’ which would enable accelerated maturation and ‘enhanced complexity’ in the whisky.

“When we started this project, we said we are absolutely not producing Scotch in China. It’s Chinese whisky made in China,” Camus told The Spirits Business earlier this year. “We want to show that Chinese whisky is different and just as great as other whisky.”

He added that the aim is to create a Chinese whisky “that pairs well with food”.

Guqi will offer a limited number of private cask ownership opportunities in 2025 through its invitation-only Secret Cask programme.

A number of international drinks groups have revealed major whisky distillery projects in China in recent years. Last month, Diageo unveiled its first whisky distillery in China, called YunTuo, as part of a US$120m project. Meanwhile, Pernod Ricard launched its inaugural Chinese whisky in December 2023 after opening its US$150m Emeishan distillery to the public.

At the end of 2023, Angus Dundee Distillers announced plans to build a malt whisky distillery in Chun’an, China, along with a visitor’s experience.