Guizhou, China – January 10, 2018
Police in Guizhou announced the destruction of 7,488 bottles of fake Moutai that has been seized throughout the year from fake Moutai workshops throughout the cities and provinces of Beijing, Chongqing, Zhejang, Hunan, Guizhou and Renhuai. In March of 2016 the local police became aware of an ongoing enterprise that was producing fake Moutai. That discovery led to a concerted effort throughout 2017 to investigate the counterfeit Moutai production workshops throughout the named cities and provinces. These investigations led to the seizure of 7,488 bottles of the fake Moutai that was destroyed today by the Guizhou Police.
Moutai, also called Maotai, is one of the most popular spirits in China. It is considered by many to be the official State Liquor. The distillation of Moutai dates to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). Moutai is a baijiu, literally translated as “White Alcohol”, an alcoholic beverage fermented from Sorghum, a flowering plant that is a member of the grass family.
During the Qing Dynasty, northern Chinese Distillers advanced the techniques and fermentation process to create a distinctive baijiu. The People’s Liberation Army camped near the town of Moutai and drank the distinctive local baijiu. After the Chinese Civil War, the government designated one state owned distillery, Kweichow Moutai, to produce the baijiu branded as Moutai. Moutai was named the national liquor in 1951 after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Moutai received international praise winning 2 Gold Medals at the Paris International Exposition of 1985 and 1986, along with 14 international awards and 20 domestic awards
Moutai is served at official occasions and state banquets. It is a 53% proof alcohol and the high price makes it susceptible to widespread counterfeiting. The average retail price of Moutai $231 USD per 500 ML bottle. With its high retail price and tight supply, the authorities are always on the lookout for fake Moutai.
The nearly 7500 bottles of fake Moutai destroyed by Police in Guizhou that has been seized in a relatively small geographic area hints at the scope of the market for this National Alcoholic Beverage. With limited production, expanded exports and raising prices, Moutai is ripe for counterfeit alcohol gangs, hidden production facilities and organized distribution through China.
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