When you think of luxury liquors, China is probably the farthest continent from your mind. The Chinese, however, are creating high-end liquors that have revenues close to Dom Perignon and Hennessy.

The two luxury brands – Wuliangye and Moutai – are not well known (or found) outside of China. Don’t worry, you’re probably not missing much. Many critics think these liquors taste more like gasoline than alcohol, but that hasn’t stopped the demand, especially among the Chinese elite.

The Moutai brand has one other distinction: it’s creating a bit of animosity between the Chinese workers and the government. To many, its use at government banquets seem a little extravagant for government functions, considering the best-selling brand Flying Moutai costs the same as the average worker’s monthly wage ($300). The government would do better to buy some high-end whiskeys. At the very least, they would save a lot of money…and sip a way better tasting hooch.

Source

Luxury Chinese Liquors Become Multibillion-Dollar Brands, Bloomberg Businessweek
More than Just Moutai, ChinaDaily.com.cn