Deshan Daqu

Deshan Daqu

Deshan Daqu is a product protected as a geographical indication.

　　Deshan Daqu

　　The current administrative regions of Deshan Subdistrict, Zhangmuqiao Subdistrict, and Shimenqiao Town under the Deshajing Economic and Technological Development Zone in Changde, Hunan Province

　　“Changde’s Deshan has virtue; Changsha’s sands have no grit.” The name “Deshan” comes from an ancient hermit, Mr. Shan Juan, who was as renowned as Emperors Yao and Shun. He declined the throne, retreated to the countryside, and spread virtue across the land. The “Record of the Shan Juan Shrine” left behind the saying: “Deshan stands lofty and pure, its virtue flows like endless streams; the master’s name lives on, his goodness and virtue shine bright,” which became the origin of Deshan culture. Deshan liquor originates from the long-standing “Deshan culture.” After thousands of years of rise and fall, it has developed a unique charm in liquor culture and continues to be cherished and enjoyed to this day. “Deshan Daqu” was first created in the 1960s by the former Changde Liquor Factory (the predecessor of Hunan Deshan Liquor Industry), using high-quality water from the local “Lotus Pond,” glutinous sorghum as the raw material, and wheat for making the starter mash. It is a strong-aroma type of Daqu Baijiu, known for its rich fragrance, mellow entrance, soft and smooth taste, refreshing aftertaste, and lingering flavor. It won the Silver Award at the National Liquor Appraisal in 1963, 1984, and 1988, the Gold Award at the First China Food Expo in 1988, and the Silver Award at the International Beverages and Liquor Exposition held in New York, USA, in 1992. As early as before the Tang Dynasty, there were descriptions such as “storing refined grains, steaming sweet liquor.” The “Changde Prefecture Annals” from the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1522–1566) documented “Cui Po Liquor”: “By Wuling Stream, Cui Po’s brew, nowhere in heaven, only here on earth. A southern Taoist drank a whole dou, then lay drunk by the cave in the clouds.” By the Qing Dynasty, the “Ma Wanlong” distillery in downtown Changde was most famous for its grain liquor, known as “De Liquor.” Later, several other distilleries emerged, including “Zhou Hengyi” and “Chen Heshun.” By the early 20th century, there were as many as 72 distilleries in the city.

　　Changde Deshan Daqu Liquor Factory: Deshan Daqu series liquors. (Changde)