Angus Dundee Distillers aims to create “one of the leading distilleries in Asia” with a malt whisky distillery being built beside the Thousand Island Lake in China’s Chun’an County.

The owner of Tomintoul and Glencadam distilleries in Scotland has also announced plans to build the world’s largest cave whisky maturation cellar as part of the project, which will be open to visitors.

Set across 20 acres (8 hectares) of land, water from the nearby Nongfu Spring will be used to make the whisky.

The announcement comes after Pernod Ricard launched its Chuan single malt last week, production for which began in 2020 at its distillery in the Sichuan province.

Angus Dundee Distillers announces plans to build in China

Despite China being a comparatively small market for whisky, according to Statista, it is predicted to grow by a compound rate of 1.72% to 2028.

Brian Megson, director of Angus Dundee Distillers, said of the new whisky distillery project in China: “This investment is a major milestone for Angus Dundee Distillers and builds on our existing presence in China, a whisky market which we regard as one of the most important for the future.”

Looking to combine Western heritage with Eastern traditions, the distillery’s design will pull on the aesthetics of the Jiangnan Huzhou local architecture style, while the natural environment surrounding the Thousand Island Lake will lend to the maturing process.

The distiller’s move is an exciting arrival to the market, which has seen leading spirit groups like Pernod Ricard and Diageo battle it out to produce China’s favourite whisky.

Exporting to over 80 countries worldwide, Angus Dundee Distillers are already known for its Old Ballantruan Scotch, American Oak Reserve and Reserva Andalucía, as well as special cask finishes produced across the Tomintoul and Glencadam distilleries. Glencadam Distillery has been crafting single malt Scotch whisky the same way for almost 200 years.