Before hitting the ‘Buy It Now!’ button there are a few things we thought you’d like to know about V.I.P Jiu 8 and why it is such an amazing drinking experience.
V.I.P Jiu 8 – The Imperial Baijiu…
The recipe for V.I.P Jiu 8 was first created as a restorative alcohol tonic 300 years ago by one of China’s greatest ever emperors, Emperor Kangxi, who ruled the country between 1662-1722. V.I.P Jiu 8 consists of nine natural ingredients and nothing else. No blending, no mixing of base alcohols and no artificial flavourings or additives whatsoever. During every step we took to recreate V.I.P Jiu 8 we remained true to Emperor Kangxi’s original recipe, always mindful and respectful of its imperial pedigree.
To understand just how special and rare V.I.P Jiu 8 it’s useful to take a quick look at the modern history of Chinese baijiu.
Mao Zedong (also known as Chairman Mao) modernised the Chinese alcohol production industry in the 1950s. At that time thousands of small independent distillers were producing liquor all over China. Mao sent representatives from China to the USA to learn modern industrial alcohol production techniques and soon after their return all the small family-run businesses were closed and replaced by large-scale state-owned distilleries. The baijiu aroma classification system was also established around the same time.
The large-scale baijiu producers operating in China today are so colossal they are capable of churning out up to 60,000 metric tons of baijiu every year. Mass-produced baijiu relies heavily on consistency of colour, taste and appearance. This means fewer natural ingredients can be used, as natural ingredients are often too expensive and unpredictable. Hundreds of base spirits are sourced from a network of suppliers throughout China and then mixed and blended with artificial flavourings and additives to enhance the spirit’s taste, colour and texture. This is done to ‘trick’ your tastebuds and mind into thinking you are drinking something natural and handmade when in reality you aren’t. It is simply not possible to create a pure, craft baijiu using industrial techniques such as these!
The unique recipe for V.I.P Jiu 8 was conceived over 300 years ago, well before the modernisation of the Chinese alcohol production industry. V.I.P Jiu 8 is for those of you who want to experience an authentic baijiu and taste the real spirit of China. It is a baijiu for the purists.
Want to find out more? Join Irving Graham at the very start of his adventure HERE
Our mission from day one has been to remain true to Emperor Kangxi’s original recipe. When we first began distilling trials of V.I.P Jiu 8 we quickly learnt the cutting-off point for scaling up ingredients while still retaining the ‘soul’ of the original recipe. This is important because the natural ingredients Kangxi used in V.I.P Jiu 8 recipe cannot simply be multiplied when producing a larger batch as at a certain point the essence and character of this amazing spirit is lost.
Our primary focus has never been about cost-cutting, sales potential or speed of production. Instead, we merge the science of distillation with our creative passion and the precise use of all nine original ingredients to reproduce this historic drink as it was originally conceived 300 years ago. We taste and smell every batch of V.I.P Jiu 8 so we can be intimately familiar with each distillation and ensure it remains true to the Emperor’s legacy.
We will never just push buttons, monitor a computer screen or make this historic baijiu without human sensory interaction. Ever.
When making V.I.P Jiu 8 we only use the ‘heart’ of the alcohol produced during the distillation process. The heart is the purest, best-tasting part of the alcohol. By using only the heart we remove all the poisons, fats and oils that lurk in the so-called heads and tails created whenever alcohol is distilled. Not many other spirit producers can say the same.
In order to preserve the soul and spirit of the recipe it can and will only ever be produced in limited small batches.
3) How have you managed to create a baijiu that has been scientifically proven to be (a) more complex than the best-selling Maotai brand and (b) contains many more compounds with positive attributes than Maotai?
The short answer is we did not create anything new. What we did was resurrect a 300-year-old recipe created by the Emperor Kangxi who was not only considered to be one of China’s greatest ever rulers but was also a master scholar in both Chinese and western medicine and herbs.
But rather than just take our word for it we wanted science to give us some answers, so we sent a bottle of V.I.P Jiu 8 along with a bottle of one of the world’s leading baijiu brand Kweichow Moutai Flying Fairy to a UK laboratory for analysis.
We ensured the laboratory was a registered member of UKAS – The United Kingdom Accreditation Service that is recognised by the UK government when comparing products to internationally agreed standards.
The two bottles were labelled sample A and sample B. Sample A was V.I.P Jiu 8.
Sample B was Kweichow Moutai Flying Fairy.
After several weeks we received the analysis report, which confirmed what we already suspected.
The laboratory concluded that the two bottles were very different indeed. Sample A (VIP Jiu 8) was found to be considerably more complex than sample B (Kweichow Moutai Flying Fairy).
The charts clearly show that sample A contains many more compounds with positive attributes than sample B.
V.I.P Jiu 8 is an extremely versatile spirit. It can either be drunk neat in small glasses according to Chinese tradition or added to cocktails to give them an exhilarating new dimension.
Pairing V.I.P Jiu 8 with food
V.I.P Jiu 8’s complex range of aromas and flavours means it can be paired with a wide variety of cuisines and dishes, from seafood to poultry and red meat to game.
It goes particularly well with Chinese sweet and sour dishes, sticky spareribs, noodles and stir-fries as well as Indian curries. Alternatively, try it with classic English dishes such as roast lamb and fish and chips.
Only your imagination can limit the number of amazing dishes and cuisines to pair V.I.P Jiu 8 with!
V.I.P Jiu 8 is not nearly as pungent as mass-produced Chinese baijiu. Remember that the recipe for V.I.P Jiu 8 far predates the relatively modern Chinese alcohol industry.
In a recent review by award-winning drinks author Darren Packman he said:
“My initial reaction to the aroma was that it was surprisingly fresh – quite minty with notes of eucalyptus and fennel. The flavours are layered and complex, built on a foundation of warming spices. The alcohol is clean though, unlike other baijui brands I have tried which tend to lead to heartburn and headaches.”
Upon opening the bottle the first thing you’ll notice is the baijiu’s intense aroma. One sip reveals the complex interplay between fruit notes and spices that your tastebuds might struggle to isolate individually at first. You may have to take two or three more sips to get used to the baijiu’s distinctive piquancy. If this is your first experience of V.I.P Jiu 8 you’ll now appreciate what an exciting drink it is!
To fully experience the complexity of V.I.P Jiu 8’s intense aromas and flavours we recommend drinking V.I.P Jiu 8 neat at room temperature, without ice or water. A clear tulip shaped baijiu glass is recommended for tasting as it highlights the colour of the liquid and maximises the aroma.
To help enhance your baijiu drinking experience every bottle of V.I.P Jiu 8 comes with two official baijiu glasses designed to unlock its complex flavours and aromas.
7) What restorative properties and compounds are found in V.I.P Jiu 8?
The nine V.I.P Jiu 8 ingredients selected by the Kangxi Emperor himself were intended to enter the stomach, spleen, lung, kidney and heart to ‘resolve dampness and qi stagnation’. They were also intended to strengthen the yang and tone the blood, induce tranquillity, nourish the liver and expel colds.
From studying Kangxi’s own writings it is clear he was a notable herbalist in his own right. In order to validate Kangxi’s knowledge with undeniable and measurable evidence, we asked a team of scientists to analyse V.I.P Jiu 8.
Here are just a few of the many compounds known for their positive qualities that they isolated in V.I.P Jiu 8.
Alpha-Pinene and beta-Pinene – a wide range of pharmacological attributes have been reported, including anticoagulant, antitumour, antimicrobial, antimalarial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Beta-Myrcene – has a role as an anti-inflammatory agent and an anabolic agent.
Alpha-Terpinene – a known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Gamma-Terpinene – displays antimicrobial properties against various human pathogens.
Alpha-Terpinolene – produces a mild sedative effect and can help reduce anxiety.
Alpha copaene – anti-proliferative, antioxidant.
Linalool – known to have anti-anxiety, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Trans alpha-Bergamotene – effective against inflammation in the intestine.
Beta-selinene – exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These benefits may reduce the frequency and severity of painful gout attacks.
Beta Ocimene – known to work well with other terpenes and has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties.
To help enhance your baijiu drinking experience every bottle of V.I.P Jiu 8 comes with two official baijiu glasses designed to unlock its complex flavours and aromas.
Taken in a moderate tonic dose of 15ml per day, a 700ml bottle of V.I.P Jiu 8 contains 46 measures. This equates to six weeks intake, which works out at around the same price as a good cup of coffee each day.
A final word from V.I.P Jiu 8 creator Irv Graham:
“From day one I said V.I.P Jiu 8 is historically, restoratively and enjoyably the BEST BAIJIU IN THE WORLD! If you have read the full story of V.I.P Jiu 8 you’ll already know it validates my declaration of it being “historically the best baijiu in the world“, while the restorative qualities of V.I.P Jiu 8 have been unequivocally corroborated by science. However, my claim that this is “enjoyably the best baijiu in the world” is really up to you. For me V.I.P Jiu 8 is enjoyably the best but in fairness you could accuse me of being a little biased. So to back up this statement I urge you NOT to buy V.I.P Jiu 8 until you have sampled other baijiu brands. Only then will you appreciate that V.I.P Jiu 8 is unlike any other baijiu ever made!”
Cost is £188 with free UK delivery only.
Each order consists of 1 bottle of V.I.P JIU 8 – 700ml at 58% ABV, housed in a bespoke luxurious handmade box that also contains two official baijiu glasses.
Pre-Purchase Questions? irvgraham@yahoo.co.uk
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