Diageo has unveiled its new distillery in China's Eryuan County, Yunnan Province. The YunTuo 云拓 Single Malt Whisky Distillery is Diageo's first entry into whisky production in China.

 

YunTuo will be led by distillery head Jiao Changyi and supported by whisky experts Jim Beveridge, former Johnnie Walker master blender, master distiller Andrew Millsopp, and master blender Craig Wallace.

 

Debra Crew, CEO of Diageo, commented: “This stunning new distillery marks a significant milestone for Diageo in China and reflects our confidence in the future of Chinese whisky. We are proud of the leading role we have played to grow whisky in China with our iconic brands.

 

“Our ambition is to combine our global heritage and whisky making craftsmanship with deep local insights to create the highest quality China-origin single malt whisky that will fire the imagination of whisky enthusiasts worldwide and place China firmly on the global whisky map.”

 

The name 'YunTuo 云拓' has been selected to reflect the new distillery's location and goal. 'Yún/云', meaning cloud, reflect Yunnan Province where the distillery is located, and 'Tuò/拓' means 'exploration', inspired by the brand's vision taking it to "new frontiers in the art of whisky making". 

 

The distillery was designed by OLI architect firm, with the aim to incorporate local culture and complement its natural surroundings. In line with Diageo's 'Spirit of Progress' sustainability plan, YunTuo has been designed to be 100 per cent carbon neutral. Energy-efficient electric boilers have been fitted, and Diageo is sourcing renewable energy for the site. Water will be recycled for industrial purposes to reduce waste.

 

YunTuo will also have a visitor centre, providing an "immersive" Chinese whisky experience. The experience will include a comprehensive tour taking visitors through the distillery's approach to whisky, from production, to tasting, to cultural influences. The "centrepiece" of the visitor experience is the 29-metre tower of whisky barrels, made with 1,000 used whisky barrels from distilleries worldwide.

 

Diageo is one among several spirits companies looking to enter the Chinese whisky market. Last year, Pernod Ricard's The Chuan distillery in Emeishan, Sichuan Province released its first whisky, in the same month that Angus Dundee Distillers announced that construction had begun on its distillery in Chun'an, Zhejiang province. Cognac-maker Camus is also building a whisky distillery in Bozhou, Anhui province.