Authenticity and flavour

One of my Chinese friends gave me a set of Gourd NuErHong for my birthday celebration. At first, I was hesitant to open it—the packaging was so beautiful, it felt more like a collectible than something to drink. Eventually, my wife and I opened a bottle, and we were both stunned by the experience. The flavor was earthy and smooth, with subtle hints of fruit and sauce-like notes, finishing long and elegant. My wife said it reminded her of brandy, but to me, it felt closer to a fine apéritif. We tried one bottle chilled and another warmed, like sake—both were unbelievably good. After finishing the drinks, we kept the bottles as decorative pieces. All our friends loved them too.