Red Star Erguotou Baijiu

Aroma: Ethanol, rice spirit, sweet pickle brine, liquid from rehydrated mushrooms, steamed vegetables, and sesame oil. The overall profile is characterized by a strong umami presence. Palate: A sweet and somewhat oily initial impression. Flavors of neutral cereal and earthy vegetables (boiled rice, buckwheat, steamed yams, soaked black fungus) are present. The texture is full and is perhaps the most pleasing element of the taste. Finish: Medium length. Strong brine and cereal flavors transition to a slightly sour note, with a very subtle, earthy, and almost citrusy aftertaste. This is the initial review of three baijiu I will be covering. I have already tried all the bottles and am beginning with the one I found least appealing. Red Star is a well-known and widely purchased type of "ergoutou," a term that refers to the second pot distillation stage. While I don't fully grasp the meaning, I don't believe it's identical to "double distilled" in Western distillation terms. It's extremely popular in Beijing and northern China, costing only a few dollars per bottle. It represents the "light aroma" style, one of the four primary baijiu aroma categories. You might hear baijiu described as "Chinese vodka," but this is generally inaccurate. However, for the "light aroma" style, it could be likened to a flavored vodka where the flavor is earthy, funky, and derived from fermentation, rather than added flavorings to a neutral spirit. Instead of vodka, I'd suggest "Chinese gin" is a more fitting comparison, if you imagine a gin where the primary flavoring is dried mushrooms instead of juniper. The moment I smelled this, the words "Victory Gin" came to mind (as mentioned in George Orwell's "1984," Victory Gin was the only alcohol available to outer party members and was described as having "a sickly, oily smell, as of Chinese rice-spirit"). Baijiu is typically consumed in shots, often in social settings or with meals. I found it easier to drink by following a shot with water, which aligns with its role as a food accompaniment. Descriptions you might encounter calling it awful smelling and tasting are likely exaggerated. While it's not a spirit I personally favor, it is undeniably well-crafted. This was considerably less impressive than the other two baijiu I will review (both of which are "strong" aroma style). Ultimately, this is primarily consumed for its intoxicating effect. Victory Gin, indeed. Rating: "Adequate" - 70/100 (2 stars)

The aroma is off-putting. However, the taste was a welcome surprise. It had a sweet and savory profile with the earthy notes of the grain.

Distinctly different from palates found in Europe, this baijiu is potent, possesses a fruity aroma, and leaves a strong aftertaste.

Warm, sharp, painful.