Baijiu (pronounced “bye-joe”) is one of the oldest white spirits on the plant. Yet few people, it seems, have ever had it – unless you live in China, and Baijiu is the de facto celebratory alcoholic beverage. Jian Nan Chun is one of the oldest distilleries in China, their cellar tanks built 300 years ago are still continuously producing the product, known for its purity. And frankly purity is something you cannot hide. Baijiu is not aged in barrel. It is a clean expressive white spirit made from sorghum, wheat, rice, sticky rice, and/or corn, or a variation of these ingredients. At its best this offers floral and fruity notes and when chilled can be quite refreshing. To suggest this is an acquired taste, however, is an understatement. The nose offers some muted sweetness, light floral and fruit notes, and there is an unmistakable scent of… well, the best I can come up with is old gym socks. While that may sound immediately unpleasant, all Baijiu is not created equal. There are a diverse number of expressions and Jian Nan Chun does a very good job. It’s a spirit worth trying when given the opportunity.
Reviewed by Michael Cervin
Brand – Jian Nan Chun
Spirit Type – Baijiu
Country of Origin – China
ABV – 52%
Bottle Size – 375ml
Price – $50
Score – 90
Date Reviewed – 2/10/2025