If you enjoy whisky, your usual preferences can offer a useful starting point for exploring baijiu. The two spirits use different ingredients, production methods and flavour systems, so baijiu should not be seen as a Chinese version of whisky. However, the styles you already enjoy can help you choose a more approachable first bottle without needing to understand every baijiu category in advance.
Do you prefer light, floral whiskies?
If you enjoy a lighter palate, floral notes, orchard fruit or a clean grain character, start with light-aroma baijiu.
Recommendation: Fenjiu
Fenjiu is a classic example of Qingxiang-style baijiu. It is known for its gentle grain sweetness, delicate floral notes, hints of dried fruit and a clean finish. It does not have the oak or vanilla flavours of whisky, but its lighter, crisper character can make it an accessible introduction.
Do you enjoy rich, fruity whiskies?
Drinkers who like sherry-cask whisky, ripe fruit, sweetness and a fuller body may prefer strong-aroma baijiu.
Recommendation: Luzhou Laojiao
This Nongxiang-style baijiu has expressive fruity, floral, sweet grain and fermented aromas. It is richer and more full-bodied than light-aroma baijiu, making it suitable for those who enjoy bold aromas and flavours that develop quickly on the palate.
Do you prefer peated or complex whiskies?
If you enjoy peat, savoury flavours, herbs or a long finish, you may be more open to Jiangxiang-style baijiu.
Recommendation: Guizhou Moutai
Jiangxiang-style baijiu is not smoky or peaty, but it shares a similarly bold and complex drinking experience. Its savoury, toasted and fermented notes, together with a long finish, make it the most challenging of the three styles. It is best suited to experienced spirits drinkers who enjoy unfamiliar flavours.
How should you drink baijiu?
Start by smelling the aroma, then take a small sip. Baijiu is usually served in small glasses and often enjoyed with food, rather than poured as a large drink or swallowed quickly. Tasting it slowly with a meal can help you notice the differences between aroma styles.
Choose light-aroma baijiu for a clean and delicate profile, strong-aroma baijiu for richness and fruitiness, or Jiangxiang-style baijiu for complexity and intensity. There is no single correct first bottle; the best choice is simply the style closest to what you already enjoy.