Editor’s note: People say many things about baijiu, and we think it's the world’s most misunderstood spirit. But if you know the basics, you’ll find good baijius that are layered, complex and as enjoyable as whiskies, rums and tequilas. For those starting out, read our baijiu primer to learn the 4 main types of baijiu, and why the stuff is getting so popular.

Hailing from the city of Chengdu of Sichuan, China, with Diageo as a major shareholder, Shui Jing Fang Distillery often boasts its moniker "China's First Baijiu Distillery," a reference to the fact that archaeologists in the 90s uncovered a well preserved ancient distillery compound that was once the old site of Shui Jing Fang. This is classified as a Rich Aroma (农香) baijiu.

| To learn more about Shui Jing Fang Distillery, read our review of the Shui Jing Fang ‘Wellbay’ Baijiu (水井坊井台)

What I’m sampling today is the crimson-bottled Shui Jing Fang Red Fortune, or “hóng yùn” (鸿运). Within the entire range of Shui Jing Fang baijius, this can probably be described as a mid-range line. Yet a bottle of this is still significantly more pricey than many other mid-range baijius due to brand prestige and a perception that Shui Jing Fang is generally pretty high quality.

Let’s get to tasting it!

Shui Jing Fang ‘Red Fortune’ Baijiu (水井坊鸿运), 52% ABV – Review

Nose: Rich, heady and very lush. It's akin to diving nose-first into a cornucopia of ripe peaches and tart sour plums, layered with the sweet-tart allure of cranberries and cherries.

Palate: Intense, yet with a clean fruit-forward charm.

The opening act is a burst of fruity sweetness – calling to mind ripe plums, sun-warmed peaches, and a variety of tart berry fruits. This sweet mélange gradually veers towards a refreshingly dry tartness as the tasting continues. The flavours are pristine and clean, and it's like indulging in a picnic of berries without any distasteful off notes. All of which is supported by a pleasantly oily and viscous texture.

Finish: Of moderate length but leaves a memorable impression. The sweetness of the baijiu gracefully recedes to make way for the distinctive tartness of Chinese bayberry (杨梅). This transitions to a subtly dry sensation, lingering just long enough to keep you yearning for the next sip.

My Thoughts

Emoji Rating: 🍑🍑🍑

A solid representation of a Rich Aroma baijiu. Its profile is akin to being gifted a lavish basket brimming with a mix of sweet and tart berries, a gift that keeps on giving with each sip, with fresh fruit sweetness that is never cloying. This also goes down every smoothly and leaves a pleasant fruity and dry finish.

The purity and cleanliness of its taste are commendable, absent of any unpalatable baijiu notes (like laboratory ethanol) that might detract from the experience. While it may not be the most complex baijiu on the spectrum (read our review of the Shui Jing Fang ‘Wellbay’ Baijiu), it more than compensates with its quality in all other facets.

Ganbei!

@CharsiuCharlie