Rising From the East: A New Chapter of Chinese Whisky Begins at Qiandao Jinjiu – a guest blog post by Nené hu (Linzi Whisky)
At this year’s Whisky L! exhibition, friends greeted me with a smile and said: “Chinese whisky is on the second floor.”
It wasn’t just a helpful tip—it was a quiet recognition. For years, I’ve been documenting the rise of Chinese whisky, and for the first time, I felt not just like a witness, but like part of the story.
While the global spirits industry continues to face challenges, and most Chinese whisky distilleries remain in early stages, I’ve always believed one thing: the Chinese spirit doesn’t give up easily.
And this year, something remarkable happened—something that lit up the eyes of even the most seasoned whisky lovers.
From Gin to Whisky: A Steady, Purposeful Journey
Qiandao Jinjiu may be best known among local drinkers as Qiandao GIN, but in fact, it is a boutique craft whisky distillery quietly nestled beside the stunning Qiandao Lake, with a clear vision and its own unique style.
Earlier this year, they completed the installation of full whisky distillation equipment—custom-built copper pot stills, made in China. Whisky and gin are now produced side by side. The first-phase site is modest, with a whisky capacity of 100,000 liters per year (around 900 casks). With double shifts, that capacity could easily double.
But what sets them apart isn’t scale—it’s strategy and sincerity.
The First Sip: Surprisingly Promising
Though I’ve visited their distillery many times, this was my first time tasting their whisky in public—at a major spirits exhibition.
The sample? A five-month-old PX sherry cask whisky, with a rare “double PX” maturation: first aged in a specially seasoned PX sherry cask from Spain, then transferred to a 50L first-fill PX cask for showcasing.
I went in with curiosity.
I walked away with conviction.
Even a friend who’s spent years tasting top-tier Scotch whiskies couldn’t help but say: “I see hope in Chinese whisky.”
Small Still, Big Vision
The distillery may be compact, but its flexibility is exceptional. Qiandao Jinjiu even allows clients to customize the ABV of the new make spirit going into casks—a rare offering in China, and even globally.
Unlike many Chinese distilleries that rely heavily on bourbon casks, they’re taking a bold path with PX, red wine, and even local oak barrels. Behind this decision is not just funding, but a founder’s vision—someone from Taiwan with deep insight into the whisky market and a strong commitment to quality. Taiwan, after all, is one of Asia’s most discerning whisky markets.
Qiandao Lake: The Emerging “Speyside of China”
Qiandao Jinjiu is the first officially licensed whisky distillery at Qiandao Lake—a place renowned for its pristine water and picturesque scenery. Often referred to as the “Speyside of China,” the area is quickly attracting attention. As of now, 7 to 10 distilleries are planning to establish operations there.
The distillery’s second-phase site, covering 25 acres, is scheduled to break ground by the end of this year. It represents not just growth for the company, but a crucial step forward for the region’s ambition to go global.
More Than Just a Distillery—A Signal of Change
On January 12, 2025, Qiandao Jinjiu filled its very first whisky cask. Today, over 200 casks are already resting in quiet maturation.
Each cask is a promise: that Chinese whisky will not simply copy Scotch—it will find its own voice, character, and soul.
The current head distiller is Mr. Lin Weixian, the first Chinese distiller to win a WWA Gold Medal in the China category. His involvement brings high standards and strong credibility to the project, as well as deep anticipation from whisky fans.
One Day, Let’s Raise a Glass Together
What I saw at Whisky L! wasn’t just an exhibition—it felt like a trailer for the future of Chinese whisky.
If one day, a bottle from Qiandao Lake is raised among global whisky lovers, carrying with it honesty, craftsmanship, and quiet pride—
that will be something we can all celebrate together.
Until then, let us keep watching, keep distilling, and keep believing.
0 Comments