If you have ever tried to buy baijiu in the UK, you’ll be aware of the logistical challenges. The fact is, this spirit is yet to gain any kind of traction in the west. You’re unlikely to find baijiu for sale in a traditional supermarket unless you’re in a particularly large and well-stocked branch.
It costs a pretty penny to import baijiu from China, and it hardly flies off the shelves due to unfamiliarity in the marketplace. This leaves you with two options. Head to an Asian supermarket and hope to find reputable baijiu brands for sale, or buy baijiu online.
There are pros and cons to purchasing baijiu online. It is certainly more convenient that trawling your local towns and cities, hoping to find a bricks and mortar shop that stocks the spirit. There are a few things to bear in mind, though. Before you commit to a purchase, consider these golden rules.
Good baijiu is not cheap, and the market is flooded with forgeries. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Ensure the online seller ships from the UK. You’ll be hit with substantial customs charges if you import directly from China. Do your research. Ensure the baijiu taste profile matches your preferences.
The latter is especially important if you are new to this spirit. Obviously, we encourage anybody to buy baijiu and experience it for themselves. However, be aware that the liquor is unlike anything you’re likely to be familiar with. Do not allow a bad first impression to cloud your judgment of baijiu overall. The right bottle can make all the difference.
Once you’re ready to buy baijiu online, check Amazon first. As we all know, this is Jeff Bezos’ world and we’re just living in it. Amazon will host a range of sellers, with a stock that rotates and fluctuates wildly. Keep checking back and be patient. The right baijiu for will eventually show up.
Alternatively, you can Google your way through independent sellers. This is a path that should be walked with caution, though. Look into the site and sellers, ensuring they have a presence on sites like TrustPilot. Baijiu is a niche product with a small but dedicated target audience. This may attract unscrupulous sellers that will think nothing of trading in counterfeit spirits at conventional baijiu prices.
If you’re ready to take the plunge and try baijiu for yourself, choose which bottle will satisfy your palate most. You’ll find a full guide to baijiu brands here. In the meantime, let’s take a moment to discuss some of the most popular bottles of baijiu for sale.
As you will know by now, baijiu is categorized by aroma. Baijiu is always clear. It is not like wine, available in red, white or rosé. Unlike rum, baijiu is not divided by light or dark spirits. It differs from whisky in that there not multiple quantities of distillation or offshoots. The aroma, however, dictates which ingredients and herbs are used in the production process. This will impact on the taste of the baijiu.
As the UK’s first authentic Imperial craft baijiu it blends the traditions of ancient China with the very latest distillation techniques here in Britain to produce a spirit of uncompromising quality.
A sip of our 300 year-old recipe allows you to savour the taste of imperial China. From the first intense aromas to the long, warming herbal finish, you’ll experience a drink unlike any other in the West.
The recipe for V.I.P Jiu 8 was first created as a restorative jiu tonic 300 years ago by one of China’s greatest ever emperors, Emperor Kangxi, who ruled the country between 1662-1722. V.I.P Jiu 8 consists of nine natural ingredients and nothing else.
V.I.P Jiu 8 is the best baijiu in the world, but rather than just take our word for it we wanted science to give us some answers, so we sent a bottle of V.I.P Jiu 8 along with a bottle of one of the world’s leading baijiu brand Kweichow Moutai Flying Fairy to a UK laboratory for analysis.
We ensured the laboratory was a registered member of UKAS – The United Kingdom Accreditation Service that is recognised by the UK government when comparing products to internationally agreed standards.
The two bottles were labelled sample A and sample B. Sample A was V.I.P Jiu 8. Sample B was Kweichow Moutai Flying Fairy.
After several weeks we received the analysis report, which confirmed what we already suspected.
The laboratory concluded that the two bottles were very different indeed. Sample A (VIP Jiu 8) was found to be considerably more complex than sample B (Kweichow Moutai Flying Fairy).
The charts clearly show that sample A (VIP Jiu 8) contains many more compounds with positive attributes than sample B (Kweichow Moutai Flying Fairy).
If you’re going to do something, do it right. Kweichou Moutai is the flagship liquor of China, and Moutai Prince is the most widely accessible product from this distillery. As Kweichou Moutai Co. Ltd is the biggest, most valuable alcohol brand in the world, you’re likely to find their produce available at any reputable international alcohol provider. The biggest challenge will be snatching a bottle for yourself while stocks last – this is a phenomenally popular spirit.
Moutai Flying Fairy – 53%
Price – Approx £500 for 1L bottle
If you’re a true aficionado, look into investing in a bottle of Flying Fairy. This is the luxury brand of Moutai, and as you can tell from the price tag, it carries quite a reputation. You may find yourself kicking yourself if you open a bottle. This baijiu is frequently marketed with unique limited-edition packaging, making rare Flying Fairy bottles a potential collector’s item that would raise significant sums at auction.
Price – Approx £80 for 375ml bottle or £185 for 500ml bottle
You may have heard of Wuliangye; this brand sits second behind Moutai in the Chinese baijiu sales leaderboard. What’s more, Wuliangye is arguably the baijiu brand that has made the most inroads into the UK market. This baijiu is available at Harrods, for example, and has recently invested substantial amounts in expansion to improve their market share. This baijiu is also available in a range of strengths, affording flexibility of choice.
Luzhou Laojiao is another legendary and hugely popular baijiu brand in China, with a distillery that dates back to the 16th Century. Rumour has it that that fermentation pits of this distillery are over a hundred years old too, bringing a real taste of history to this spirit. You may also wish to investigate Guojiao 1573, a sister brand, though Luzhou Laojiao remains the standard bearer for this successful enterprise.
Price – Up to £15 – wide variety of bottle sizes available
Moutai may be the national spirit of China, but Red Star is also linked to the authorities of the country. This baijiu was created by the Chinese Central Tax Office in 1949 as an affordable alternative to Moutai. As a result, it has grown hugely popular throughout China as an accessible and enjoyable spirit. Best of all, this baijiu comes in a range of sizes. You can start small for a taste test and learn if this is the brand for you.
Kinmen Kaoliang – 58%
Price – Approx £27 for 500ml bottle
This manufacturer has a range of baijius for sale. The Kinmen Kaoliang 58 is the standard bearer and flagship, which you’re likeliest to track down without too much intense searching. Serious baijiu enthusiasts may prefer a more aged bottle, such as a 12-year old. Just expect to add another three figures to the price tag for such luxury. Made in Taiwan, this is an accessible baijiu that lacks the potency of soy found in other brands.
Vinn Distillery is a comparatively unique baijiu – it’s made in Oregon, USA, not China. As a result, this is arguably the most western-friendly version of the spirit. The alcohol volume is a little lower, and it tastes a little lighter. Vinn Distillery create a range of spirits alongside baijiu, so you may find this particular brand easier to find than others.
Guilin Sanhua Jui – 55%
Price – Approx £20 for 500ml bottle
A popular and reasonably priced baijiu in China, this spirit is common in bars and restaurants in its native land. This makes Guilin Sanhua Jui one of the easier rice aroma baijius to find in the west – Chinese expats in the UK are likely to have a fondness for this tipple through familiarity. The taste is also sweeter and lighter on the palate than some competitors, making this a fine baijiu for beginners. Baijiu For Sale Online
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