Camus Holdings, best known for its namesake Cognac brand, has strengthened its ties in China, commencing the construction of a whisky distillery in the country.
The first onsite moves for Guqi distillery in China’s Anhui province took place earlier this week. The facility is being built jointly with baijiu producer Gujinggong at an initial cost of around US$30m, according to Camus.
The site of the distillery is Bozhou in the east of China, about 750km south of Beijing. Production is expected to kick off in 2025.
“By bringing together and amalgamating the expertise of Camus and Gujinggong, the fourth largest producer of baijiu in China, Guqi marks the creation of a singular new type of spirit: world-class whisky with Chinese characteristics,” Camus said.
“By exploring new techniques, ingredients and flavours that go beyond traditional whisky production methods, the distillery will propose two innovative whiskies that embody the essence of Guqi’s vision: distilling the world’s most aromatic whiskies.”
Camus already has links with China that date back to 2004, when the company took on the distribution responsibilities in global travel retail for Kweichow Moutai Distillery Co’s baijiu portfolio. The French company joins compatriot Pernod Ricard on the whisky distillery front in China: The latter’s Chuan Malt Whisky Distillery in Emeishan has been producing spirit since 2021.
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