Marco Polo may have been the first Westerner to try Chinese alcohol. While journeying through ancient China, Polo tried a“clear, bright and pleasant” alcohol that was, in his words,“so excellent and flavorful that the Chinese wish for no other.” The enchanting crystal-clear spirit known as baijiu (bye-j’oh) is the Middle Kingdom’s best-kept secret. Today HKB wants to share this fascinating discovery with the world. Like Marco Polo did centuries earlier, our team ventured into China’s hinterland on a quest. We set out to find the finest Chinese spirit for foreign palates; only the finest ingredients and purest blends would do. Some secrets are just too good to keep to yourself.