What Does Baijiu Taste Like?
BAJIU 101
Baijiu is a unique spirit that has a strong sense of place. Many of the key aromas and flavours you may note when you sample baijiu will remind you of Asian ingredients and cuisine. Because of the aromas and flavours, traditional spirits descriptors like smoky, fruity etc. don’t apply to baijiu.
When you first bring a glass of baijiu to your nose, you will note it has a strong aroma. On taste you would expect fresh herbs, rice, and tasty flavours as part of the complex mouthfeel with a long finish.
Baijiu to traditionally categorised into four key styles based on aroma.
Flavour profiles of baijiu
Strong Aroma
Strong-flavour baijiu such as National Cellar 1573 has a complex and almost overripe flavour. All flavours are balanced upon entering your mouth, with an obvious sweetness and a prolonged spicy finish. Sorghum, pits, Jiuqu and a lengthy maturation process leads to the development of the strong compound fruit aroma. Strong Aroma baijiu are highly influenced by the environment and require a skilled craftsman to blend them together.
Light Aroma
Light-flavour baijiu, such as Qinghua Fenjiu , pursue clean, crisp, and fresh flavours. Barley and peas often feature in the production of light aroma baijiu resulting in a floral and sweet flavour that develops over time.
Sauce Aroma
Sauce-flavour baijiu such as Moutai possess layered and complex tastes similar to that of fermented beans and herbs, partnered with a long aftertaste. Sauce Aroma baijiu’s are labour intensive, requiring lengthy production and maturation processes to develop the complex aromas.
Rice Aroma
Rice aroma baijiu is a relatively light style of baijiu, making it a great choice for cocktails and those approaching Baijiu for the first time. It is smooth and mild, with similar palate weight to Japanese sake or Korean Soju. Expect to find hints of honey, flowers, and grass, because the spirits are often infused with herbs, tea and flowers. Rice aroma baijiu uses only a small amount of Qu as the jiuqu which results in a shorter fermentation time. Rice Aroma baijiu’s are great with steamed dumpling and seafood.
To learn more about Baijiu and the stories about Baijiu, please check out at out Baijiu page.
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