Liu Ling Liquor

Liu Ling Liquor

Liu Ling Liquor is a protected geographical indication product.

　　    Origin: Xushui, Hebei, China.     Production process: The raw materials consist of high-quality sorghum, wheat (both large and small), glutinous rice, millet, and peas. It is brewed using the traditional old five-vat method of mixed steaming and continuous fermentation. During distillation, the heads and tails are discarded to remove aldehydes from the heads and fusel oils from the tails, while the heart of the distillate is collected and fermented in earthen pits and old cellars. After one year, the color, aroma, and taste reach their optimal quality.     Characteristics: The liquor is colorless and transparent, with a rich cellar aroma. It has a smooth, sweet entry and a clean, refreshing finish. The aftertaste is long-lasting, making it comfortable to drink without causing headaches or dizziness. (Xushui County)

　　Liu Ling Liquor is a premium Daqu liquor produced by the Xushui County Distillery in Hebei Province. The history of winemaking in Xushui spans a thousand years, and the story of Liu Ling Liquor has been passed down through generations. In 1998, archaeologists excavated the distillery's old brewing site. Experts determined that the "Runquan Yong Distilling Site" within the current factory grounds dates back to the Jin and Yuan dynasties, approximately 900 years ago. Among the ruins are 16 fermentation pits that have been in continuous use since the Jin and Yuan periods, making them the oldest known fermentation pits in China. On April 5, 2005, the National Cultural Heritage Administration and the China National Food Industry Association designated the Liu Ling Liquor Ancient Distilling Site, along with four others including the traditional production techniques of Kweichow Moutai and the Shuijingjie Distillery Site in Sichuan, as part of the "First Group of China’s Food Cultural Heritage." On May 25, 2006, the Liu Ling Liquor Distilling Site was approved by the State Council as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

　　Liu Ling Liquor is made from nine types of locally sourced high-quality grains, including sorghum, barley, wheat, rice, millet, glutinous rice, peas, corn, and mung beans. It uses spring water from the ancient Liupu River at the foot of the Taihang Mountains and is brewed using the traditional old five-vat method. The fermentation and aging process is carried out in pits sealed with fragrant soil from Zhanghua Village (the site of Liu Ling’s tomb), resulting in a liquor that is crystal clear in color, smooth and mellow in taste, and leaves a long-lasting aftertaste. At the Guangzhou Trade Fair in the spring of 1974, Xushui Liu Ling Liquor was displayed alongside Kweichow Moutai at a banquet. Both Chinese and foreign guests who tasted both praised Liu Ling Liquor for possessing the aroma of Moutai as well as that of Luzhou Daqu, earning it the reputation of a uniquely flavorful "Little Moutai." In 1979, Xushui Liu Ling Liquor was recognized as a National Quality Liquor and a Famous Liquor of Hebei. Liu Ling Liquor is not only in high demand in China but also enjoys strong sales in markets such as Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

　　Major honors of Liu Ling Liquor:

　　 1979, 1985, 1987: Named a Famous Liquor of Hebei Province.

　　 1992: Awarded the Special Gold Prize at the Paris Expo.

　　 2001: Liu Ling Liquor received the title of "China’s Famous Innovative Baijiu Brand."

　　 2005 June 27: Approved by the National Cultural Heritage Administration as one of the First "China Food Cultural Heritage" items.

　　 2006 May 25: The State Council designated the Liu Ling Liquor Distilling Site as a "National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit."

　　 2006 December 19: The Ministry of Commerce recognized Liu Ling Liquor as one of the First "China Time-Honored Brands."

　　 2006 December 15: The Liu Ling Liquor Distilling Site was included by UNESCO in the "Tentative List of China’s World Cultural Heritage."

　　 2007 July 4: The brewing technique of Liu Ling Liquor was added to the "Hebei Intangible Cultural Heritage List."

　　 2008 March: The registered trademark "Liu Ling" was recognized as a "China Well-Known Trademark."

　　 2012 July 10: Liu Ling Liquor was listed as a "Protected Geographical Indication Product of China" by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

　　 2012 August: The "Liu Ling Liquor Ancient Distilling Site" and "Wan Tan Wine Forest" were included in the Guinness World Records at the Shanghai Great World.

　　Liu Ling Liquor is a protected geographical indication product.

　　The production area of Liu Ling Liquor includes the entire administrative region of present-day Xushui County, Hebei Province.