HKB - Hong Kong Baijiu
Trying a new gimmick Baijiu with the team to see if we can do something with it, to drink straight and/or in cocktails 🍸.
The nose is pretty soft and almost sweet for a Baijiu, not as pungent or alcoholic as I thought it will be. Aromatics of lychee, pears, pineapple, and ripe exotic yellow fruits, mingle with notes of white flowers, chrysanthemum, and hints of fresh almond. The taste is awfully strong for my personal taste, yet, definitely ok for a Baijiu. Displaying similar notes as in the nose.
Personally, I cannot and would not drink it on its own, the reason why I asked our mixologist if he could use his magic and imagination to ease the taste and make it more palatable (to my palate😁).
He prepared a lovely cocktail made with pineapple juice, homemade camomile syrup, lemon juice, and HKB Baijiu. The result was light, crisp, fragrant, juicy, easy to drink, and delightful I must say. I'm not so much into pineapple usually, but it paired really well with it. The camomile also added a "je-ne-sais-quoi" making this cocktail very tasty.
As for HKB Baijiu, I said that it is a "gimmick" as the story behind it started with a French guy (Charles Lanthier), who, while working in China and discovering the traditional Chinese spirits (also known as "Chinese White liquor") decided to create a "Baijiu" to help Westerners to get better acquainted with it, first intended for the American and European markets.
Produced in small batches in the Sichuan province (China), HKB (Hong Kong Baijiu) is first distilled from a mash of five grains (sorghum, rice, sticky rice, corn, and wheat), prior being blended in Italy by a grappa producer after aging (in large, neutral terra cotta urns) for two years.
Regarding the origins of its name, as it has nothing to do with the "Fragrant Harbour" (HK's nickname, known as "Port aux Parfums" in french), I guess the "Hong Kong" part was just to make it more appealing to Westerners. 😉😁👍
Santé! Cheers!
Dom
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