A major milestone has been reached in China. Angus Dundee Distillers has filled the very first cask with new-make spirit at the Chun’an Malt Whisky Distillery, officially marking the start of production.
The first cask at the Chun’an Malt Whisky Distillery was filled during a grand ceremony. Angus Dundee, the company behind Glencadam and Tomintoul, has now formally celebrated its expansion into Chinese whisky.
A new Chinese whisky adventure
It will still be some time before the first whisky is ready. The spirit must mature in casks for at least three years before it can be bottled. Even so, this is a huge step for the Scottish company, says Iain Lochhead, Director of Angus Dundee Distillers.
'Chun’an Distillery is a unique opportunity to unite Scotland’s whisky heritage with one of China’s most inspiring landscapes. This area is renowned for the exceptional natural beauty of its lakes and mountains. The site’s design reflects that spirit, embracing the aesthetics of the local Jiangnan Huizhou architectural style, with every element crafted with precision and care.'- Iain Lochhead
What is the Chun’an Distillery?
The new Chun’an Malt Whisky Distillery is located in the Chinese town of the same name. Angus Dundee Distillers has established the distillery in a region of lakes, forests, and largely unspoiled nature.
The distillery sits on the shores of the iconic Thousand Island Lake, known for its pure water and stable climate, an ideal foundation for crafting the water of life.
What makes the Chun’an Distillery stand out is its rigorous application of classic Scottish single malt techniques: copper pot stills, precise yeast management, exact cut control, and a varied cask maturation program.
On the 20-hectare distillery grounds, a full visitor destination is planned, featuring tasting rooms, culinary experiences, and retail spaces. The opening is slated for 2026.
China as a growth market for premium whisky
With this move into China, Angus Dundee joins other major players, including Diageo, in investing in local whisky production. Demand for premium and single malt whisky is rising rapidly there, among both new consumers and seasoned enthusiasts.
No date has yet been announced for the first release of Chun’an whisky.
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LATEST COMMENTS
- There is no distillery equipment there and also no licences to produce or sell alcohol.TRC19-12-2025
- Hi Yvonne, Thank you for your response and for sharing the video. Unfortunately, the evidence you referred to consists only of two people talking about the whisky, without any explanation or identification. We have not spoken to the individuals in the video ourselves, nor can we verify who they are. We describe it as a Chinese whisky because it is released by a Chinese distillery. As you mentioned, the distillery has chosen to label the product as “pure malt” instead of “Chinese whisky.” Based on that, we do not believe they are doing anything illegal.M0nkey16-11-2025
- So - you have the proof......where's your write up?Yvonne16-11-2025
- You are absolutely right. Luckily that doesn't matter for the taste of the whisky. Have you tried it yet?M0nkey05-11-2025
- Guess what? Finland is not part of Scandinavia.Gray105-11-2025
- Throw in the towel? You mean restructure to compete and win in a challenging industry environment.WestwardFounder21-10-2025
- There is nothing legally to prevent the English whisky GI from coming into force, it complies with all the relevant laws and the single malt definition follows the precedent of Welsh whisky and US whiskyChefBear15-10-2025
- Three emails sent (two with videos, linked to a Google Drive Share). 1. The original video. 2. The video with subtitles as it was shared on YouTube 3. Screen grab of the YouTube channel where the video was blocked due to Pernod Ricard lobbying. The story was covered on Drinks Intel at the time - link here - https://drinks-intel.com/subscriber-news/pernod-ricards-the-chuan-pure-malt-whisky-not-sourced-solely-from-china-global-drinks-intel-exclusive/Yvonne10-10-2025
- Hi Yvonne, Thank you for your interesting comment. Could you share your copy with us, so we can adjust our item accordingly? Mail us at [email protected]. Thank you in advance.M0nkey09-10-2025
- Let's keep this factually correct. Pernod Ricard DID NOT release a Chinese whisky. Their first output from The Chuan (the name of the distillery in Sichuan, China) wasn't fit for bottling. What they actually bottled was imported Scotch whisky. This is why the product is called "PURE MALT" and not "Chinese Whisky" - because Pure Malt is not a regulated term - this is not a secret. This was exposed about a week after they released it. There were even videos about their own staff on site admitting it was made from imported whisky - which Pernod Ricard got the lawyers onto to get the video pulled. I've got a copy if you want it.Yvonne09-10-2025
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