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Confucius Family is a pretty widely available low-end baijiu, and this 375mL ceramic jar version comes distilled at a relatively mild 39% / 78 proof. It’s pretty smooth, and the sweetness of the sorghum gives it a wet mouthfeel. But be warned: the predominant flavor is very horsey – that barnyard tang you know and […]
A fruity, summery cocktail; go easy on the pineapple for a more baijiu-forward experience. Class it up with a big rosemary sprig to make a statement. 1 oz. Guotai Legend 2 oz. Fresh Pineapple Juice ¼ oz. Fresh Lime Juice ½ oz. Simple Syrup ¼ oz. Club Soda Glassware: Coupe Garnish: Rosemary Sprig
A baijiu spin on the Mint Julep, created by Guotai – and featuring a big splash of lemon. 1 ½ oz. Guotai Legend 1/2 oz. Bourbon 1 oz. Lemon Juice 1 oz. Agave Nectar 5 Muddled Mint Leaves Glassware: Rocks, serve with crushed ice Julep-style. Garnish: Lemon Wedge and Mint
Jian Nun Chun is: REALLY GREAT. This strong-aroma baijiu has tons of flavor. This is a great example of a baijiu that explodes on the tongue. Once you get past the initial blast, there’s maybe some nuttiness? Perhaps some warm papaya? You’ll definitely find a big barnyard aftertaste, but this layered, complicated flavor is part of […]
A cocktail recipe from Guotai – I’d advise experimenting with the ginger beer / grapefruit juice / syrup ratios, depending on how sweet your ingredients start 1 1/2 oz Guotai Legend 1/2 oz Simple Syrup 2 oz Grapefruit Juice 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice 1/2 oz Ginger Beer 1/2 oz Mint Syrup Glassware: Martini Garnish: Cherry […]
While nothing compares with visiting (and tasting, perhaps) a baijiu producer in person, Chengdu Food Tours has a great writeup and photo set visiting the Jian Nan Chun distillery. You can just smell the hot steamy sorghum!
Apparently, the big brand Wuliangye – the heavyweightiest heavyweight next to Kweichow Moutai – spun off Jinliufu as a separate brand in China. But this bottle is cobranded – Wulianye on the front, Jinliufu on the side. Maybe an expert can set us straight here, but this is a mid-tier baijiu that packs a lot […]
This is a medicinal flavored baijiu, apparently based on a fen jiu (shanxi province specialty?), with bamboo flavoring and other Chinese medicines. It’s very much like a bamboo liqueur, which sounds weird, and is weird. It’s candy-sweet with a heavy medicinal front end. Bonus: the liquid is yellow-green in color, too. It’s a big departure […]
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 […]
A bottle of 80 year old Moutai, made by Kweichow Moutai in 1940, has been auctioned off in China for a record RMB 1.97 million (US$294,345), more than twice its estimated price, at a recent Moutai-themed auction that brought in close to RMB 85 million (US$12.5 million). See more at The Drinks Business.