Buffalo Trace, the producer of some of the world’s most coveted bourbons — Pappy Van Winkle, George T. Stagg, and W.L. Weller, to name a few — is set to release an unexpected Baijiu-style spirit.
Baijiu is the world’s best-selling spirit and accounts for 31 percent of the global alcohol beverage market. The Sazerac-owned brand is trying its hand at the Chinese spirit for the 24th release in its Experimental Collection, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.
While the Baijiu-style spirit contains traditional ingredients like sorghum and peas, it was distilled like a whiskey and aged for 11 years in three separate casks: charred, uncharred, and toasted white oak. The release comes in at a 90-proof and boasts aromatic notes of chocolate and stone fruit, per official tasting notes.
The Experimental Collection Baijiu will be hitting shelves in late April or early May and carries a suggested retail price of $46.99 for a 375-milliliter bottle. It’s a limited edition release and sure to fly off shelves fast, given the distillery’s popularity. For those whiskey lovers looking to break out of their southern comfort zone, be sure to pick up a bottle while you can.