Not so long ago, whisky drinkers were restricted to Scotch or Irish, bourbon or perhaps a Japanese brand. Today, the choice is far wider, with fast-growing “world whiskies” including drams from countries such as Australia, Belgium, Israel, Switzerland, Wales and England.
Now China must be added to the list, after yesterday’s news from Diageo, the world’s biggest Scotch whisky producer, that it is building a $75 million malt whisky distillery in Yunnan province to produce the company’s first China-origin single malt.
The carbon-neutral site will also offer “an immersive and interactive” visitor centre to attract tourists and boost the local economy.
The new tipple will be aimed firmly at the premium end of China’s $1.7 billion whisky market. Drinkers will have to be patient, though: to qualify as whisky, the new spirit will have to mature for three years — and work on construction of the Eryuan distillery does not start until early next year.
