Top Baijiu Brands That Redefine Chinese Spirit Excellence

Baijiu, a traditional Chinese spirit, has been gaining immense popularity worldwide for its unique flavors and rich cultural heritage. Known for its strong aroma and distinctive taste, selecting the best brand can significantly enhance the tasting experience. With so many options available, it can be challenging to choose the right one that suits your palate. Curious about the top brands that stand out in this prestigious category? Discover our detailed list below.

Illustration of baijiu

Best brands of baijiu in 2025

Kweichow Moutai

Kweichow Moutai is a paramount producer of baijiu, renowned for its high-end Chinese liquors, particularly the strong aroma baijiu. Established in 1999 and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2001, Moutai dominates the market with a 17% share of the baijiu industry. The company boasts an impressive market capitalization of over 1.96 trillion CNY as of December 2024 and achieves an average EBIT margin of more than 66%, significantly higher than the global liquor industry average. Moutai's sales are predominantly driven by the Chinese market, accounting for over 95% of its total sales, and it has been ranked first in the "Top 50 Global Most Valuable Spirits Brands" for seven consecutive years. The brand's high-quality liquors are produced exclusively in Guizhou Province, leveraging the unique environment and water from the Chishui River.

Luzhou Laojiao

Luzhou Laojiao is one of the most esteemed baijiu producers in China, renowned for its rich history dating back to 1573 during the Ming Dynasty. It is the oldest continuously operating baijiu distillery in the world and is particularly famous for its "strong aroma" (nongxiang) style of baijiu. The company's operating revenue reached approximately 30.23 billion yuan in 2023, and it is ranked as the fourth most valuable spirits brand internationally. Luzhou Laojiao's products, such as Guojiao 1573, are aged in traditional fermentation cellars, some of which are over 100 years old, contributing to the unique flavor and aroma of their baijiu. The company has expanded its operations globally, starting with the Asia-Pacific market and later into Africa. For more detailed information, visit their Wikipedia page.

Wuliangye

Wuliangye is one of China's leading baijiu producers, renowned for its high-quality strong-aroma baijiu made from a blend of five cereal grains. As of 2023, Wuliangye is the second-largest baijiu producer by revenue, boasting sales of CNY 83 billion, and holds a significant market share in the domestic baijiu market. The brand has a rich history dating back to the Tang Dynasty and is celebrated for its flagship product, the 52-degree Wuliangye, which is highly regarded for its floral and peppery notes. In 2023, Wuliangye's brand value increased by 5% to US$30.3 billion, reinforcing its position as one of the most valuable spirits brands globally. The company has a robust global presence, with products distributed in over 100 countries and regions.

Xifengjiu

Xifengjiu, produced by Shaanxi Xifengjiu Co. Ltd., is a renowned brand of baijiu, recognized as one of the "Four Famous Spirits" in China since the 1952 National Alcohol Appraisal Conference. It retains a high level of popularity in Shaanxi, where 70% of its 50,000 tonne annual output is sold. The spirit is distinguished by its unique production process, involving sorghum fermentation and aging in rattan baskets, resulting in distinct tart apple and cherry notes. With roots dating back 4,000 years to the Shang dynasty, Xifengjiu continues to be a significant player in China's baijiu industry. Its production combines techniques from northern and southern Chinese spirits, making it a unique and cherished product. For more detailed information, you can visit their Wikipedia page.

Fenjiu

Shanxi Fenjiu, a leading producer of baijiu, has demonstrated remarkable high-speed growth and robust financial performance. Since 2017, Fenjiu has consistently achieved revenue and profit growth rates rarely falling below 20%, with its revenue surpassing 30 billion RMB by 2023. The company has continuously enhanced its gross profit margin and net profit margin, which has significantly bolstered its overall return level. Fenjiu's nationalization efforts are advancing rapidly, supported by China Resources, resulting in a revenue increase outside its province at a CAGR of 41.89% from 2017 to 2023. Fenjiu is targeting a revenue growth rate of around 20% for 2024 and aims to secure a position among the top three baijiu brands globally by 2025. Further details on their impressive growth trajectory can be found in this detailed report.

Jiannanchun

Jiannanchun, although not as widely recognized as Kweichow Moutai or Wuliangye, is a notable producer of baijiu, particularly known for its strong aroma styles. However, specific data on Jiannanchun's market share or sales figures is not readily available. The baijiu industry, which includes brands like Jiannanchun, saw a decline in production from 13.6 million kiloliters in 2016 to 7.4 million kiloliters in 2020, with sales revenue still reaching 584 billion RMB in 2020. Sichuan province, where many baijiu manufacturers are based, accounts for a significant portion of China's baijiu production, but Jiannanchun's specific contribution is not detailed in available sources. The industry is shifting towards premiumization, with ultra-premium baijiu segments seeing growth, though this trend may not specifically apply to Jiannanchun. For more detailed statistics on the baijiu industry, visit baijiu production statistics.

Yanghe Daqu

Yanghe Daqu is a renowned brand in the Chinese baijiu industry, known for its high-quality and traditionally crafted liquor. As part of the Jiangsu Yanghe Distillery Co., Ltd., it is one of the two famous Chinese baijiu brands owned by the company, alongside Shuanggou. In 2023, Yanghe Distillery achieved an operating revenue of CNY 33.126 billion, a year-on-year increase of 10.04%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of CNY 10.016 billion, up by 6.8%. The brand utilizes traditional craftsmanship, using high-quality sorghum, wheat, barley, and peas as fermenting agents to produce its distinctive sweet, mild, and fragrant flavor. Yanghe Daqu is a significant contributor to the baijiu market, which dominates China's domestic spirits market with around 94% of total sales value. Explore more about Yanghe Daqu and its distinct offerings.

Gujing Gongjiu

Gujing Gongjiu, a leading baijiu brand, is valued at nearly 147 billion yuan as of 2019 and ranked fourth nationally and ninth globally. Established in 1992 and listed in 1996, Gujing Group has a rich history rooted in Gongxing Caofang, a distillery founded during the Ming Dynasty in 1515. The brand uses the ancient "Jiu Yun Jiu technique," certified by Guinness World Records as the oldest existing distilling technique. Gujing Gongjiu achieved annual revenue of over 10 billion RMB in 2018 and is known for its well-balanced flavor with orchid-aroma hints. It is one of the top eight baijiu brands and among the Top 500 manufacturing enterprises in China. Additionally, Gujing is expanding its operations by inviting bidding applications for global packaging suppliers.

Shuijingfang

Shuijingfang is one of the most esteemed baijiu brands, known for its rich history dating back to 1408 and its acquisition by Diageo in 2006, which helped establish it as a multinational brand. This strong-aroma baijiu is distilled from a blend of sorghum, rice, glutinous rice, wheat, and corn, offering a complex flavor profile with notes of tropical fruits, licorice, and earthy elements. Shuijingfang's production involves unique techniques such as charcoal and bamboo filtering to enhance smoothness and reduce pungency. The brand is highly regarded for its premium quality, with bottles priced around $90 for a 375ml bottle, and it has become ubiquitous in China, South Korea, and increasingly in Europe and the US. Shuijingfang's historical significance and innovative production methods make it a standout in the baijiu industry.

Langjiu

Langjiu, though not as prominently mentioned as other brands, is part of the broader baijiu industry in China, which has seen significant changes in recent years. The industry's production volume decreased from 13.6 million kiloliters in 2016 to 7.4 million kiloliters in 2020, with major manufacturers like Kweichow Moutai and Wuliangye dominating the market. However, smaller brands are also appreciated for their quality and innovation. The baijiu market is undergoing a premiumisation trend, with ultra-premium segments seeing a 12% CAGR growth from 2017 to 2022, while standard-and-below segments declined by 13% over the same period. This shift towards higher-quality baijiu is driven by rising incomes and stricter government regulations. For more insights into the industry, explore the baijiu industry leaders and market statistics.