Rebirth of Jiangjin’s Intangible Cultural Heritage

On September 9th, 2017, the century-old Jiangjin Baisha Lvxi Distillery, the inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage – Jiangjin Shaojiu distillation technique, launched its new spirits again after a half-year renovation of its facilities, brewing implements and general process flow. The newly-born distillery has not only returned to the traditional brewing method of sorghum liquor, but has also improved the product quality, giving Jiangjin Shaojiu a rebirth. The traditional manual brewing technique that Jiangjin applies to Shaojiu has been inherited since Jiajing years of the Ming Dynasty, with a history of more than 400 years. This technique is currently the most complete and ancient one of its kind in Chongqing.

The Arrival of Newly-brewed Spirits on September 9th

To keep the spirit of ancestral brewing culture, Lvxi Distillery has undergone comprehensive restoration, with new slates being laid and orchids and bamboo planted. The rustic and traditional environment of the workshop and the old-style brewing method represent the rich history and cultural heritage of Lvxi Winery. The manifesto printed on the wall of the plant that states “Lvxi Soju, be faithful to pureness” and wall paintings depicting scenes of traditional wineries proclaim the distillery’s concern for inheriting authentic Jiangjin Shaojiu brewing technique.

Going back to old brewing implements, Lvxi Distillery again uses wooden barrel pits and instruments used in traditional brewing technique such as the Shaoji (a basket for washing grains), an iron-toothed rake, the Matan (a clay jar), wooden steamers and more.

For the revival of the Jiangjin Shaojiu brewing technique, Lvxi Distillery further replaced the mechanical process with the traditional one that uses wooden pits and wooden steamers to create a better production environment in accordance with tradition. Sorghum baked by the traditional method can be processed into sparkling and crystal-clear spirits which have a delicate and long-lasting flavor.

Mr. Wang Hechuan, the founder of Lvxi Distillery and chief inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage – Jiangjin Shaojiu brewing technique, belongs to the third generation that carries on this special craft. It’s been forty years since he first started to brew at the age of 16. As elder brewing craftsman, he sees himself not only as keeper and inheritor of this unique brewing method, but also as messenger of the inherent spirit of craftsmanship which he devoted his life to.