Kentucky distillery, Chinese spirit maker create unique new whiskey
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Whiskey House of Kentucky partnered with a Chinese baijiu maker to create SHĀNG whiskey.
- SHĀNG is distilled from red sorghum, aged in clay pots in China, then redistilled.
- Two SHĀNG releases are available for pre-order online with specified proofs and prices.
Whiskey House of Kentucky has partnered with a Chinese baijiu maker to create a new red sorghum-based whiskey line called SHĀNG.
The new whiskey is a blend of two of the oldest and largest spirits categories in the world, with potential for appeal among consumers around the world.
SHĀNG is a sauce-aroma baijiu known as jiàngxiāng (pronounced jong-shong), made from red sorghum from the Chìshuǐ River basin, according to a news release. After it is distilled and aged in traditional clay pots in China, it is redistilled to a whiskey base, matured in American oak and blended in Kentucky, according to the release.
SHĀNG is produced by Maritine Brands, a joint venture between True Essence Foods and Guìzhōu Guótái Shùzhì Liquor Group, and in partnership with Whiskey House of Kentucky and The Blending House, according to the release.
There will be two releases, both available for pre-order online with direct shipping at shangwhiskey.com.
SHĀNG Dàn Yǎ is the first expression, rested in charred American oak barrels for one month to just under one year. It’s 100 proof, with a suggested retail price of $64.99 for 500 mL and $15.99 for 50mL.
SHĀNG East + West Kentucky Blend marries the original whiskey with a proprietary American red sorghum whiskey made at Whiskey House in Elizabethtown that is then aged in charred American oak barrels in Kentucky. It’s 92 proof, with a suggested retail price of $45.99 for 500mL and $13.99 for 50mL.
“SHĀNG represents the future of global spirits innovation,” Maritine Brands CEO Matt Rubin said in the release. “By bringing together centuries-old Chinese fermentation techniques with the precision and structure of American whiskey-making, we are creating something entirely new — an authentic collaboration of cultures, craftsmanship, and creativity.”
“Whiskey House was created to enable exactly this type of innovation,” said Whiskey House of Kentucky co-founder and CEO David Mandell in the release. “SHĀNG is a powerful example of what’s possible when world-class partners come together with a shared vision. We’re proud to play a role in bringing this entirely new category of spirits to life.”
“We could not be prouder to add our team’s incredible expertise to the SHĀNG brand,” said The Blending House founder and CEO Monica Wolf. “SHĀNG is a transformational spirit that pushes boundaries and brings a new level of innovation to the art of whiskey blending and finishing.”
The Blending House is in Shelbyville.
