World's Most Valuable Drinks Brand

In February 2016, Moutai was named the most valuable alcoholic drinks brand in the world. The result comes from the Brand Finance Global 500 report, which evaluates competing brands in all industries on a yearly basis.

Moutai is a brand of baiju (a Chinese distilled spirit), primarily consumed in China as a celebratory drink, today it has grown to become a brand of great significance in global markets. This was also reflected by the launch of the Enter the Dragon cocktail competition in Australia last year.

The first of its kind for Moutai, Enter the Dragon saw 12 of the country’s top bartenders go head to head in what was coined ‘cocktail combat’. The aim of the competition was to showcase the culture and history of Moutai and how the spirit can be used behind the bar. At the final on November 7 – which tested for creativity, focus and technique – Bobby Carry from Earle’s Juke Joint, Newtown was crowned the Moutai King with his cocktail Banana Dynasty.

In addition to this, distributor Evershine Australia has recently released a new product named Moutai Prince (RRP $88). A lighter and more delicate variation, Prince is mellow in flavour and defined by its sweet apple, pear and ‘Jiang’ aroma - a characteristic unique to Moutai. Prince offers trade and consumers an alternative to its older brother, Flying Fairy the original Moutai, and one that can be easily used in cocktails, adding the unique flavour of this famous Chinese spirit, while also helping bars maintaining a desirable GP.

Banana Dynasty

Winning entry - Bobby Carey of Earl's Juke Joint

40ml Moutai Flying Fairy

20ml Giffards Banana Du Bresil

15ml La Quintyne Vermouth Royal, Rouge

2 Dash Angostura Bitters

Method: Add all ingredients to a chilled mixing glass over ice and stir until perfectly chilled. Pour into a frosty cold Old Fashioned glass over crystal clear hand cut ice. Twist orange peel over the glass to release oils and place peel neatly twisted on the glass.