So, You're Interested in China? | My first baijiu tasting and blending class

For many newcomers, a small glass of baijiu, or "white liquor," at a Chinese dinner table raises an obvious question: what exactly is the right way to drink it? A tasting and blending activity hosted by Xijiu in southwest China's Guizhou Province offered a proper answer, with one of the company's professional tasters guiding participants through the basics.

Tasting baijiu, the taster explained, comes down to four steps: observing the color, smelling the aroma, sipping the flavor, and identifying the style. Taking each step in turn, rather than downing a quick shot, reveals far more about what is in the glass.

Participants then put their new skills to use by blending baijiu of different ages and types to create new flavors. Some combinations worked better than others, but experimenting was the point. The exercise showed how much craft goes into a finished bottle, and how a small change can transform the whole taste. Watch the full video to see how it all turned out.