Large-Scale Chinese Whisky Distilleries

Chinese Single Malt Whisky was taken to another level on 18th February 2022, when the ground was broken and the foundation stone was laid for what is going to be China's biggest single malt whisky distillery - the 5th biggest single malt whisky distillery in the world.

While Pernod Ricard and Diageo have stepped up to "get in the ring" - they have both rocked up with a featherweight effort. Pernod Ricard with their two still setups and a claimed investment of US$150 million. Diageo coming in with a 4 still setup and a more reasonable claim of US$75 million.

Meanwhile, a bunch of whisky lovers mostly based in China, have smashed open their piggy banks, pooled their pocket change, and come up with a 17'000 square meter, 12 stills, 15 million LPA (liters of pure alcohol) super heavyweight championship-winning monster - built with stills that they have designed and patented themselves. The only distillery in the world to have their own patent for a still design, and only the 4th patent to ever be granted for a whisky still since records began.

Nine Rivers Distillery is the name of the project that is taking on the big boys, funded by over 100 whisky lovers from 19 different countries. Collectively they think that they have what it takes to put Chinese single malt whisky on the map but they aren't taking any chances. They have Feng Shui on their side and their own Feng Shui Master. Not only has Feng Shui dictated the architecture and layout, but their groundbreaking, at 3 am on Friday 18th February 2022, was during the hour of the 4 Black Water Tigers - a once in 60 years event that will apparently bestow them with success in everything they do.

An interesting role reversal in the alcohol world and one that we think is going to get a lot of attention as a trending topic over the next few years.