PERNOD RICARD has declared that it has become the first international wines and spirits group to establish a fully operational malt whisky distillery in China.
The owner of Dumbarton-based Chivas Brothers, which has played an active role in developing The Chuan Malt Whisky Distillery in Emeishan, said the investment will cement its “pioneering position” in the increasingly valuable Chinese market.
Pernod has pledged to invest $150 million over a decade at the distillery, where production is now under way.
Philippe Guettat, chairman and chief executive of Pernod Ricard Asia, said: “Pernod Ricard has been privileged to play our part in China’s dynamic development for over 30 years. We consider it our mission to bring to life the most iconic malt whisky made in China with pride, leveraging the expertise we have as a market leader.
!Our master distiller, Yang Tao has been working with our heritage master distillers in Scotland to bring the most authentic whisky making know-how into China, while leveraging the pristine water source of Emei, renowned for its utmost quality.
"Today, we are marking a significant milestone on this journey and we look forward to sharing our vision and single malt whisky from 叠川 THE CHUAN Malt Whisky Distillery with whisky lovers around the world.”
Sandy Hyslop, Chivas Brothers’ director of blending and inventory, has worked closely with the distillery team since the start of the project, advising on cask selection, spirit quality control, inventory management and forecasting.
He said: “I’m proud to have been part of a cross-continental team bringing some of the best minds in Scotch malt whisky distillation to bear in the creation of 叠川 THE CHUAN. It’s been a privilege to share our expertise with the brilliant new team in China and I’m looking forward to tasting the first malt whisky crafted at this ground-breaking distillery.”
Pernod declared the distillery will contribute to carbon neutrality by sourcing 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, minimising the use of natural gas, and offsetting remaining emissions in a Sichuan biogas programme. All wastewater on site will be processed, it added, highlighting that “mostly recycled and local materials” were used in the distillery’s construction to reduce its carbon footprint.
A visitor centre is due to open at the distillery in 2023, which Pernod hopes to attract two million tourists in its first decade.
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