China has a long history of liquor production, which is even longer than that of tea. There are many famous brands of Chinese liquor, which include Maotai Liquor, Fen Liquor, Five Grain Liquor, Luzhou Liquor, Jiannanchun Liquor, Xifeng Liquor, Gujinggong Liquor and Dong Liquor.

Maotai Liquor

Maotai town, Renhuai county, Guizhou

Maotai Liquor

Maotai Liquor is produced in Maotai town, Renhuai county in Guizhou Province. Together with Scotch Whisky and French Cognac Brandy, it is renowned as one of the Three Famous Wines in the world.

The brewage of Maotai Liquor has a long history. Its production can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (206BC–220AD). In the middle of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the production had reached a certain scale, with the annual yield of 170 tons, rare at that time. The products were called "Hua Mao", "Wang Mao" and "Lai Mao". "Hua Mao" is the predecessor of today's Maotai Liquor. In 1915 in the Panama World Exposition, the Maotai Liquor (Hua Mao) was rewarded the golden medal, and from then on, it became well known in the world.

Due to the fragrance, purity, sweetness and refreshment, Maotai Liquor is regarded as the national liquor in China.

Fen Liquor

Fenyang, Shanxi

Fen Liquor

The Fen Liquor is produced in Xinghua Village, Fenyang in Shanxi Province. Enjoying a history of more than 1,500 years, it is the father of Chinese famous liquors. It uses the Yibazhua sorghum produced in Jinzhong Plain in Fenyang and the mellow Gujingjia Spring as ingredients. Through the process of brewing technology, the Fen Liquor is clear, crystal, mildly aromatic and affords a lingering after-taste. Due to its best quality, it is always praised as the excellent liquor and fluid precious stone.

Five Grain Liquor

Yibin, Sichuan

Five Grain Liquor

The Five Grain Liquor, produced in Yibin, Sichuan Province, gets the name from its five ingredients, including sorghum, rice, glutinous rice, corn and wheat. The water is taken from the center of Minjiang River. The wrapped starter (Baobaoqu), produced by pure wheat, is used as the raising agent. When the bottle opens, a strong fragrance scents the air.

Luzhou Liquor

Luzhou, Sichuan

Luzhou Liquor

Luzhou Liquor is produced in Luzhou, Sichuan Province. In the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Wenyongsheng and Tianchensheng were the two liquor factories that produced Luzhou Liquor. The oldest cellar of Wenyongsheng has a history of more than 370 years.

Luzhou Liquor features strong aroma, sweet, raw and has a long, persistent finish. It has become the model of strong aromatic Chinese spirits.

Jiannanchun Liquor

The ruin of liquor cellar, Mianzhu, Sichuan

Jiannanchun Liquor

Jiannanchun Liquor is produced in the Mianzhu county, Sichuan Province. It is one of the famous liquors in China that enjoys a long history. In Tang Dynasty (618-907), "chun (春)" was used to name the wine, hence the name. According to the legend, the great poet Li Bai in Tang Dynasty once used the golden crown in exchange for Jiannanchun, which reflected the excellent quality of the liquor.

Jiannanchun Liquor is made from sorghum, rice, glutinous rice, corn and wheat. It is finely brewed in traditional technique and can be divided into 62 degrees and 52 degrees. Every drop is fragrant, mellow, sweet and cool with a long finish.

Xifeng Liquor

Clay sculpture, Fengxiang, Shaanxi

Xifeng Liquor

Being one of the oldest liquors in China and in the world, Xifeng Liquor is produced in Liulin town, Fengxiang county, Shaanxi Province. In the late Shang Dynasty (C.1600–1046BC), in order to celebrate the victory of Muye Battle, the King of Zhouwu used Qin Liquor (today's Xifeng Liquor) to reward his soldiers.

Xifeng Liquor represents the Feng-style liquor. Feng-style liquor blends the five flavors: sour, sweet, bitter, spicy and fragrant. The liquor degrees are divided into 39 degrees, 55 degrees and 65 degrees.

Gujinggong Liquor

Bozhou, Anhui

Gujinggong Liquor

Gujinggong Liquor is produced in Bozhou, Anhui Province. "Gujing" means ancient well. There is an ancient well having a history of 1,400 years in the liquor factory. The local water tastes bitter but the spring from this well is quite sweet. The liquor made from the spring of the well has a wonderful flavor. During Wanli's rule in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it became a tribute.

Gujinggong Liquor is famous for the colorless and limpid characteristics. It smells as delicate as orchid with a long finish. It belongs to the strong aromatic Chinese spirit and the degrees range from 60 to 62.

Dong Liquor

Zunyi, Guizhou

Dong Liquor

Dong Liquor is produced in Dong Liquor Factory in Zunyi, Guizhou Province. It gets the name from the Donggong Temple near the factory. Dong Liquor is the most special Chinese liquor in brewing method. It is made from the best glutinous Indian millet and the underground springs from Shuikou Temple. It blends the styles of Daqu Liquor and Xiaoqu Liquor.