Red Star is the world’s go-to low-end baijiu, and it’s an acquired taste if ever there was one. It’s the Budweiser of baijiu – cheap, everywhere, but incredibly reliable its quality. It’s a known quantity, and you’ll see it all over the world. In the US where we focus, you’ll still see it pretty much anywhere that carries baijiu. The flavor is strong (although it is in the ‘light aroma’ category, and it’s pretty astringent.
It’s not too sweet, and there’s a chemical clovey-ness to it as well. It’s raw on the throat, and the synthetic alcohol tang tells you right away: this is poison. But drink a few, and you’ll realize: it’s poison with a consistent, surprisingly delicious character. That makes it sound bad, but I think it’s like a lot of global alcohol brands: not great, but reliable.
Fun fact: Red Star was issued the very first business license ever by the PRC. That’s how important baijiu is.
Buy it: You can find Red Star in pretty much any place that stocks an assortment of baijiu. Really, it will be the most common baijiu you’ll find. Where to buy it? Check out our ‘where to buy baijiu‘ guide here!
Tried it? Leave your rating and review below!
Red Star Erguotou
Comments
natethegreat
Rating
5.1
Nose: summer camp concession stand stocked with airheads
palate: standing in a canyon with 60mph winds
finish: clearing out a 747 tank
overall: WTF am I drinking?
markgetsetgo
Rating
6.5
Nose: alcohol, sugary sweet. 5.
Palate: apple, sweet, molasses. 7.
Finish: bright, long finish. 7.
Overall: solid and exciting, but easy to enjoy. I went back to this one! 6.5
chubbydrunk
Rating
7.3
Smells like candy. On drinking, the alcohol rushes up your nose, tastes very sweet and plummy but dissipates quickly, burns like fire in the throat and lingers for a short while.
I always have at least one bottle of this stuff. Great to knock back after a long, hard, s*** day. Definitely a working man’s drink.
Ryan chmiel
Rating
10
Went over to China with a couple buddies. Basically split a bottle with another psycho…. 52% baijiu shit put me off my asssssss 10/10
Bobby
Rating
10
I live in shanghai originally from california. If you want to get plastered for a few bucks this is the stuff. After a half 500ml bottle it starts to taste better until you can’t taste it at all.
Lee Harris
Rating
6
Very astringent and harsh on it’s own, makes a decent mixer with a soda and a TRUCK load of citrus and bitters.
Roopesh Luckraj
Rating
8
Enjoyed it in China. Its a pitty we dont have it in South Africa
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