Fenggang Yunjiu

Fenggang Yunjiu has a long history in Xiaogan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Anlu, a county-level city in Xiaogan, Hubei province, is celebrated for its traditional aged liquor, Fenggang Yunjiu, a prominent name among Hubei's renowned spirits.

The liquor is crafted from a blend of sorghum, corn, wheat, glutinous rice, and rice, and undergoes an underground aging process. This unique method, maintained at a constant temperature and humidity, helps evaporate harmful substances and form esters, resulting in a rich, smooth liquor with a pleasing drinking experience.

The origins of this liquor trace back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and it continues to be produced using traditional techniques such as mixed steaming and fermentation with dual starters.

These time-honored methods are now enhanced with modern innovations such as layered distillation and selective quality extraction, endowing the liquor with its distinctive "fragrant, mellow, and sweet" qualities.

Fenggang Yunjiu has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious "China Time-honored Brand" designation in 2011. Its leading products are distributed across more than 20 provinces and cities nationwide, serving as a cultural emblem of Anlu's unique heritage and traditions.