Christchurch-based baijiu brand Taizi won the Best Overall and Best New Zealand awards in the Botanical and Other Spirits category during this year’s New Zealand Spirits Awards, reports The Shout.
Taizi ranked among the 344 entries judged by 20 trade experts during the judging in May, with the awards formerly presented during a gala at the Auckland Hilton in late June.
Taizi co-founder Sam Lu told The Shout that inspiration for the brand came from a love of baijiu and observing other people’s success.
“Back in the day, we only got to enjoy [baijiu] when our family or friends visited us from Taiwan,” Lu said. “And then came Geoff Ross acing Russian vodka here in New Zealand with 42 Below and that made us think ‘Why can’t we do the same with Chinese baijiu?’.”
Lu said he hopes the award brings greater recognition and helps to drive sales beyond niches, like Chinese tourists at New Zealand duty free shops, to wider domestic sales.
“All the hard work, time, and money (sold mum’s house to get to this point) have become a part of a great story,” said Lu in The Shout.
Read the full story at The Shout. And learn more about Taizi here.
Lu said he hopes the award brings greater recognition and helps to drive sales beyond niches, like Chinese tourists at New Zealand duty free shops, to wider domestic sales.
“All the hard work, time, and money (sold mum-s house to get to this point) have become a part of a great story,” said Lu.
Read the full story at The Shout.
Founded in 2015, World Baijiu Day is held each August 9, with events in over 60 cities so far. Follow WBD on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And get in touch via spirit (at) worldbaijiuday.com.
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