Camus Cognac Plans to Build $30M Distillery in China to Create ‘World’s Most Aromatic Whiskies’

Camus Holdings is partnering with Gujinggong, a baiju producer on a $30M USD whisky facility in China. (Photo: Camus)

On Friday, Global Drinks Intel reported that Camus Holdings, a brand known for its Cognac, is initiating a project to build a whisky distillery in China. The distillery is being built with a baiju producer Gujinggong, and the projected budget is valued at a starting price of $30 million USD.

“By bringing together and amalgamating the expertise of Camus and Gujinggong, the fourth largest producer of baiju in China, Guqi marks the creation of a singular new type of spirit: world class whisky with Chinese characteristics,” Camus said according to Drinks Intel. “By exploring new techniques, ingredients and flavors 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.”

The distillery is going to be built in China’s Anhui province, and production is expected to begin in 2025.

Going global – could China be the future of whisky?

Whiskies appear to be popping up all around the globe and gaining further momentum as the category continues to expand. With the meteoric rise of Japanese whisky brands like Yamazaki and Hibiki, it seems like fans of whisky are looking for the next international phenomenon. Some have set their sites on India’s whisky brands like Amrut and Rampur, while others have looked to countries like France and Australia.

In June, the Taiwanese Whisky brand Kavalan won the category of “Best Other Single Malt Whiskey” at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. As whisky enthusiasts continue to open their minds and palates to other parts of the globe, it makes sense that other countries would want to gain a foothold in an already booming market.

In August, InsideHook reported that Chinese whisky from the distillery Goalong had begun to enter the American market. According to The Whisky Exchange, it was the “first Chinese whisky to be available outside of the country.” The bottle hosted a relatively affordable price of $48 and was described as possessing aromas of hazelnut, honey, baking spice and other delicate aromas according to the outlet.

The country appears to have been on the radar of many mega brands, and the drinks giant Diageo allocated $75 million USD to build a whisky distillery in China, in November 2021. Since China’s whisky industry is still growing — at least in an international sense — the future remains uncertain.

Join the Whiskey Raiders Bottle of the Month Club, where you will receive hard-to-find bottles curated by Whiskey Raiders staff with a 90+ rating on whiskeyraiders.com plus live virtual tastings. Sign up here!