Kweichow Moutai Baijiu (37.5cl, 53%)

Kweichow Moutai is a sauce-aroma (jiangxiang) baijiu from the town of Maotai in Guizhou Province, China, in a 37.5cl bottle at 53% vol. It is made mainly from local red sorghum with a wheat-based fermentation starter and water from the Chishui River. Production involves seven brewing rounds and repeated distillation, followed by several years of maturation in ceramic vessels before blending. The nose is savoury, with soy sauce-like umami, fermented grain, dried fruit, toasted rice and florals. The palate is full-bodied, with pear, pineapple, roasted nuts, honeyed sweetness and savoury grain. The finish is long, nutty and earthy.