Camus, the producer best known for its cognac, has launched a $30 million project to build a whiskey distillery in China.

The winery, jointly built by Camus and Baijiu producer Gujinggong , is located in Bozhou city, Anhui province, and is expected to start production in 2025.

The distillery will combine Chinese fermentation skill, Scottish distillation technology, and cognac aging and blending methods to produce whiskey with Chinese characteristics.

In addition, the distillery will also develop tourism, providing whisky lovers with better opportunities to get to know the distillery.

Chinese consumers have become increasingly interested in whisky in recent years. Official data show that in the first nine months of 2023, the total volume and value of spirits imports increased by 12 percent and 34 percent, respectively, of which brandy imports and value increased by 22.8 percent and 36.4 percent, while whiskey imports increased by 4.2 percent and 12.8 percent.

"We think there is a significant increase in the penetration of whiskey in China, which is a long-term and sustainable trend," said an interview with a leading liquor company.