Lucky Cat Baijiu
Lucky Cat Baijiu is a 42% ABV (84 proof) strong-aroma baijiu in a 750mL bottle — distilled from sorghum in China by Hombo Shuzo, the Japanese maker of Mars Whisky, available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 42% (84 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Style: strong-aroma (nongxiang) — the most popular baijiu style in China
- Base: sorghum — solid-state fermentation and solid-state distillation, fermented in earthen pits
- Origin: China — produced by Hombo Shuzo (the Mars Whisky distiller of Japan); this is a Chinese baijiu, not a Japanese whisky
- Symbol: the white lucky cat with raised left paw — a sign of happiness and purity, bringing prosperity to businesses and homes
The World's Best-Selling Spirit Style, from an Unlikely Maker
Baijiu is the number one selling spirit category in the world — and almost unknown in the West. Lucky Cat is the strong-aroma (nongxiang) style, the most popular in China: sorghum fermented solid-state in earthen pits and distilled solid-state for a pungent, savory, deeply aromatic spirit. The twist is the maker — Hombo Shuzo, the Japanese company behind Mars Whisky, producing a Chinese baijiu in China. Don't confuse it with Hombo's "Lucky Cat" Japanese whisky series (Choco, Luna, Hana) — this bottle is 100% Chinese baijiu, right down to the lucky-cat mark: the white cat with raised left paw, the sign of happiness and purity. Browse more Lucky Cat or explore our spirits shelf.
Tasting Notes
Retailer notes describe clean fruit and an intriguing peaty edge. The strong-aroma style typically shows anise, pear, underlying sweetness, and savory, earthy, fruity depth — full-bodied and smooth, best taken neat.
How to Enjoy
Neat, at room temperature, in small pours — the traditional Chinese serve. This is a sipping spirit for the curious, not a cocktail base.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lucky Cat Baijiu a Japanese whisky?
No — despite the Hombo Shuzo (Mars Whisky) name, this is a Chinese baijiu distilled from sorghum in China. Hombo also makes a separate "Lucky Cat" Japanese whisky line; the two are unrelated products.
What is baijiu?
China's national spirit — typically distilled from sorghum (sometimes with other grains) via solid-state fermentation. The strong-aroma style is the most popular in China.
How strong is it?
42% ABV (84 proof) — moderate by baijiu standards, which commonly run 50%+.
China's national spirit from Japan's Mars Whisky maker — grab Lucky Cat Baijiu at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.