Angus Dundee Distillers has reached a milestone in the development of its first malt whisky distillery in China, with the ceremonial filling of the first cask with newmake spirit.
Officially transitioning the Chun’an Malt Whisky Distillery from construction to production, the ceremony was attended by Angus Dundee directors and distinguished guests, on the site overlooking the Chun’an region’s Thousand Island Lake tourist hotspot.
Angus Dundee director, Iain Lochhead, said: “Chun’an Distillery is a unique opportunity to combine Scotland’s whisky heritage with one of China’s most inspiring natural landscapes.
“This area is popular due to the exceptional natural beauty of its lakes and mountains and the design of the site itself reflects this, embracing the aesthetics of the local Jiangnan Huizhou architectural style, with every element being built with precision and care.”
The distillery has been designed to honour the two centuries of traditional whisky-making philosophy practiced at Angus Dundee’s Scottish distilleries at Tomintoul and Glencadam, using production methods including ‘traditional copper pot still distillation, rigorous yeast management, precise cut control and a diversified cask maturation programme’.
With its ‘strategic investment’ in Chun’an, Angus Dundee Distillers hopes to demonstrate how Scottish expertise can evolve in new terroirs, and position Thousand Island Lake as a future centre for global whisky appreciation.
The distillery site, which spans more than 20 acres, is planned to become an integrated whisky destination, with visitors able to explore production galleries, tasting rooms, experiential dining, retail areas and outdoor spaces for events and tourism. This visitor experience is expected to open mid-2026.
Lochhead added: “The ceremonial filling of the first cask represents a defining moment for our Chinese venture.
“As we expand our presence in a market we believe will be central to the future of the whisky industry, we are proud to bring our experience and craftsmanship to this region, creating a world-class distillery and visitor experience.”
