(Winemag) - Vodka, whiskey, gin, rum and Tequila? They have a long way to go in order to reach the popularity of baijiu, the most consumed spirit on Earth. But what’s the story behind this fascinating Chinese liquor, and will it soon be coming to a bar near you?

The traditional Chinese liquor baijiu is said to be the most consumed spirit in the world, but only a small amount is found outside the country’s borders. While most view it as a single product, the broad range of grain-based liquors within the category can seem unrecognizable from one another, the result of centuries of differing traditions and geographical influence.

Unlike popular spirits like Scotch or Bourbon, there’s no official group that regulates baijiu. However, there are four main styles kept to by most producers. These are known as strong aroma, sauce aroma, light aroma, and rice aroma. The styles differ in grain, fermentation and distillation, and even within those classifications, brands showcase signature blending techniques.

Baijiu adheres to traditional methods of production and distilling that have been preserved over centuries.