Shāng blends whiskey and baijiu traditions
Maritine Brands has launched a spirits brand called Shāng, which combines Chinese baijiu with American whiskey-making techniques.
Maritine Brands is a joint venture between True Essence Foods and Guìzhōu Guótái Shùzhì Liquor Group.
The whiskey is produced in partnership with Whiskey House of Kentucky and The Blending House.
Shāng is a sauce-aroma (jiàngxiāng) baijiu produced by Guìzhōu Guótái Shùzhì and refined using American whiskey-making techniques, to create what Maritine is describing as a ‘new cross-cultural category’ called ‘jiàngxiāng whiskey’.
Originating from the Chìshuî River basin in China and matured in Kentucky, Shāng is said to bridge two spirits traditions in a single bottle.
Matt Rubin, CEO of Maritine Brands, said: “Shāng represents the future of global spirits innovation. By bringing together centuries-old Chinese fermentation techniques with the precision and structure of American whiskey-making, we are creating something entirely new – an authentic collaboration of cultures, craftsmanship, and creativity.”
The base of the spirit is made from red sorghum and is aged in traditional clay pots in China. It is then redistilled, matured in American oak casks, and blended in Kentucky.
Yán Kăijìng, chairman of Guìzhōu Guótái Shùzhì Liquor Group, explained: “The unparalleled craft of dual-brewing and dual-ageing defines the unique character of Shāng.
“It embraces the classic Western liquid-state fermentation technique, integrates the millennia-old art of Chinese solid-state jiàngxiāng brewing, nurtured through slow ageing in ceramic jars and refined by maturation in American oak barrels, letting the timeless brewing and distilling wisdom of both worlds blend flawlessly in every bottle.”
The brand debuts with two expressions: Shāng Dàn Yă and East + West Kentucky Blend.
Shāng Dàn Yă is a ‘jiàngxiāng whiskey’ that is matured in charred American oak barrels for a period ranging from one month to less than one year.
Bottled at 50% ABV, the expression offers floral aromas and umami, with notes of fruit, chocolate, and baking spices.
East + West Kentucky Blend combines the Chinese spirit with a proprietary American red sorghum whiskey distilled at the Whiskey House of Kentucky and aged in charred American oak barrels.
Sitting at 46% ABV, the ‘softer’ expression features notes of vanilla, toasted grain, and caramel.
David Mandell, co-founder and CEO of Whiskey House of Kentucky, commented: “Whiskey House was created to enable exactly this type of innovation. Shāng is a powerful example of what’s possible when world-class partners come together with a shared vision.
“We’re proud to play a role in bringing this entirely new category of spirits to life.”
Both releases are now available for online pre-order in a special launch bundle, with shipping direct to 42 US states.
Shāng Dàn Yă has a recommended retail price of US$64.99 for a 500ml bottle, and East + West Kentucky Blend retails for US$45.99. Both expressions are also available in 50ml format, priced at US$15.99 and US$13.99, respectively.
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