Top 10 baijiu brands in China

Chinese alcoholic beverages seem to precede the earliest stages of Chinese civilization. Chinese white spirit, which is actually transparent, or baijiu, dominates the market in China. It is a strong distilled spirit that generally has more than 36 percent alcohol by volume. The baijiu is the most-consumed distilled spirit in the world.

It is a clear drink usually distilled from sorghum, although other grains may be used.Baijiu in southern China often uses glutinous rice, while northern Chinese varieties may use wheat, barley, or millet. The jiuqu, a Chinese dried fermentation starter, culture used in the production of baijiu mash is usually made of pulverized wheat grains.

Chinese consumers have deep rooted love for Baijiu. Even amid slowdown and austerity campaign, its sales rose by 5.5 percent compared with 2013, according to Nielsen.

Compared with imported spirits, beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages, baijiu enjoyed the strongest growth of 5.6 percent. Vodka came next with a 5.1 percent rise, while the growth rates of other alcoholic beverages hovered below zero.

Many famous Baijiu brands in China can date back hundreds even thousands of years.

Here are top 10 Baijiu brands in China.

No 10 Gu Jing Gong

Gujinggong is a traditional Baijiu distilled from water from a well in Bozhou, Anhui Province. Its history dates back to early Ming dynasty (AD 1515). The Gong, in the name Gu Jing Gong, means tribute offered to the emperor. Gu Jing Gong was famous in ancient China so people offered this Baijiu to the emperor. It is produced by the Anhui Gujing Distillery Co Ltd.

It has alcohol content ranging from 38 percent to 50 percent.

Baijiu "Gu Jing Gong" on display at a supermarket, in Nantong, Jiangsu province, Feb 23, 2013,. [Photo/IC]