Luzhou Laojiao San Ren Xuan (1L, 52%)

A strong-aroma (nongxiang) baijiu from Luzhou, Sichuan, bottled at 52% ABV in a 1L bottle. It is a modern, lighter-footed take on the classical strong-aroma style, floral and fruity where old-school baijiu is pungent and deep. The mash is approximately 60% sorghum, 20% wheat and 20% rice. The distillery's fermentation cellars have run continuously since 1573, and the 1573 cellars are a national intangible cultural heritage of China. The name means “three friends”, or loosely “the gathering of friends”, and the expression was conceived as the sociable face of Luzhou Laojiao. It is intended for small chilled pours shared among friends. The nose shows floral plum, white pepper and toasted rice; the palate is fruity and bright with bubblegum, stone fruit and fresh pineapple over grain depth; the finish is sweet and long-lasting with fading floral warmth.