Does Baijiu Have Any Collector Value?
BAJIU 101
The essence of collecting, be it antiques or masterpieces, lies in the paradox between the infinite beauty of art and the scarcity of artworks. And people’s desperate desire to keep beautiful things is amply reflected in the premium collectibles. In 2014, a bottle of Moutai from 1935 sold at auction for US$1.55 million, making it the most expensive liquor in China in one fell swoop.
It is safe to say that baijiu not only has collector value but may even be a smart form of investment.
Quality is the foundation of collector value
Spirits are normally stable due to the high alcohol content that acts as a natural preservative. Moreover, high-end baijiu is rich in antioxidants and many other natural components. The taste of baijiu evolves during aging. Mellower and smoother tastes are the distinctive characteristics of vintage baijiu. Properly stored baijiu is, in the eyes of a professional baijiu sommelier, an elixir that is out of this world. The flavours preserved in the bottle by aging are impossible to be replicated.
In China, it has been a long-standing custom for parents to collect Moutai when their children are born and to open bottles to celebrate at their weddings and other key milestones.
Which liquors are worth collecting?
The most collectible baijiu is Moutai. Older vintages of Moutai are regularly auctioned at the major auction houses in Asia, and consumers have gone crazy for commemorative and limited edition Moutai releases. The Flying Fairy Moutai, backed by its consistently high quality, continues to grow in demand setting new auction records frequently. Here in Australia, we have some baijiu that is very limited and rare.
Moutai: Entering Australia – special release for Australia market only
Moutai: Year of Dog Limited Edition – great for anyone who is born in the Year of Dog (1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018)
National Cellar 1573: 5L Guo Yun (Extremely rare product, top tier baijiu in a 5L porcelain jar designed by the famous Chinese artist, only one bottle in Australia
It is worth acknowledging the particularly high collector’s value of Vintage Moutai. Take a bottle of 30-Year -Old Moutai for example, by the time the product reaches the consumer, the liquor has been aged for at least 30 years already! Coupled with the low production capacity 30 years ago, as well as the enhancement of the taste from aging over time, all these factors align as a valuable collector’s item.
Tips for collecting Moutai
Long-term preservation of liquor also requires attention to the environment, preferably a cool, dry place, with good packaging treatment to prevent volatilisation.
When buying a collection, check the seal and label carefully to ensure there are no leaks or breaks.
Choose popular brands such as Moutai for guaranteed quality
Keep a close eye on limited and commemorative editions on sale.
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