What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
- Joined: Oct 5th, 2008
- Posts: 79
Hello all, I will be coming back to China in a few days to visit my girlfriend. Her father loves to drink. Every time I come to stay for a while we go out to eat together. We always go through a few bottles of bai jiu during the meal (I also love to drink:)). On one of my trips there last spring I brought him a bottle of Johnny Walker Scotch. I thought he would appreciate it and indeed he seemed to, but he still has not opened it. My girlfriend's parents are poor and he usually buys some of the cheapest bai jiu that you can buy 20-30 yuan max. I have asked my girlfriend why he hasn't opened it yet and she responded that he had it setting on a shelf in the apartment where people could see it and that he was saving it for a special occasion.
Anyway this time I want to take another bottle of a fine import alcohol and then open it myself when we have dinner together so that we can all enjoy it.
My question is, what should I bring? What foreign alcohol has a good name in China. I would like to bring something that has a famous name there. I am a rum person personally but I have a feeling that rum is probably not very popular there. any suggestions?
"I am the punishment of God...If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.”
-CHINGIS KHAN(to the Persians)
gooldenwending
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
In my completely unscientific fact-gathering method, it seems that the majority of Chinese people seem to know of two kinds of Western alcohol: whiskey and vodka. The former more associated with western Europe and America, the latter with Russia.
If you're talking about specific brands, I think that the average baijiu-drinking guy isn't going to know a lot about them.
Personally, I would buy him something nice (I would go with scotch, but that's my personal preference), tell him that it's nice and expensive, open it and enjoy.
Added bonus: he'll have the story to tell about his nvxu bringing over some god-awful liquor and the two of you getting snookered. You'll get to enjoy something that you like to drink. Both parties are happy.
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Nidaye
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
What your gf says is true and I wouldn't let it bother you.
You can't go wrong with a bottle of X.O.
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jginbj
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
Consider that for many families it is rude to open a gift in front on the giver, and would be even more rude on your part to insist that your girlfriends father open it.
I would recommend the following: Bring two distinctly different whiskeys, brandies, etc. This way he can put one up in the living room (chinese love to display expensive booze) and enjoy the other with you.
I would recommend bringing on bottle of Hennesy XO (about 120 USD purchased at duty free), and purchase one bottle of Moutai 52% (about 65 USD on the mainland and 58 USD in the airport) alcohol variety for the two of you to enjoy together. He will enjoy the Moutai much more than any import you could bring him, and you will get bonus points for bringing him top flight chinese hooch.
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Colonel Hogan
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
Moutai is the way to go. He will neither like nor appreciate anything else. He will put it on his shelf but he will never drink it. Good western liquor to Chinese tastes like bad baijiu to us. Different tastes. Maotai is one of the bests so just buy that for him, buy double the amount, tell him to put one on the shelf and then open the other for the two of you to enjoy.
MAY YOU LIVE IN HEAVEN FOR THREE HOURS BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD
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admin
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
buy him some of the cheapest rotgut liquor you can find from the states, get plastered with him and revel loudly about what a f-ing steal this booze was. He'll love you forever.
At $6.99 for 750ml from this online retailer,
http://www.missionliquor.com/Store/Qstore/Qstore.cgi?CMD=011&PROD=000276...
Potter's Charcoal Filtered Whiskey looks like a bargain
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Captain Morgan
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
Shiver me timbers...Don't be a shy cabin boy... if it's rum you like, than rum it must be! You drink his favourite swill out of respect for his culture and taste, so now ask him to get polluted on your preferred poison. It may be a new experience for the man, and he will respect you for sharing something unique that reflects your personality. May I suggest some nice dark & dirty brand, like Newfoundland Screech or Captain Morgan's Tattoo?
Here is a list of other popular rum brands...
Light Rum Value Brands:
• Ron Castillo White- Puerto Rico
• Fernandes Vat 19 White- Trinidad
• Rhum Barbancourt White- Haiti
• Angostura Old Oak White- Trinidad
Light Rum Premium Brands:
• Bacardi Silver- Puerto Rico
• Bacardi Limon- Puerto Rico
• Mount Gar Premium White- Barbados
• Wray & Nephew White Overproof- Jamaica
• El Dorado White- Guiana
Gold Rum Value Brands:
• Appleton Special Gold- Jamaica
• Palo Viejo Gold- Puerto Rico
• Fernandes Vat 19 Gold- Trinidad
• Brugal Gold- Dominican Republic
Gold Rum Premium Brands:
• Mount Gay Eclipse- Jamaica
• Bacardi Gold- Puerto Rico
• Occumare- Venezuela
• Appleton Estate VX- Jamaica
• Barbancourt 3-Star 4 year- Haiti
Gold Rum Super-Premium Brands:
• Rhum Barbancourt 15 year- Haiti
• Appleton Estate 21 year- Jamaica
• Sea Wynde- Jamaica
• Bacardi Reserve Baccarat Bottling- Puerto Rico
Dark Rum Value Brands:
• Coruba Dark- Jamaica
• Cruzan Estate Dark 2 year- St. Croix
• Fernandes Dark- Trinidad
• Ron Matusalem Classic Black Cuban Tradition- Florida
Dark Rum Premium Brands:
• Bacardi 8 year- Puerto Rico
• Barbancourt Rum 5-Star 8 year- Haiti
• Mount Gay Extra Old- Barbados
• British Navy Pusser's Rum- British Virgin Islands
• Myers's Dark- Jamaica
• Gosling's Black Seal- Bermuda
Dark Rum Super-Premium Brands:
• Angostura 1824- Trinidad
• Pyrat XO Reserve Planters Gold- Anguilla
• Pampero Rum Aniversario- Venezuela
CHEERS!!!
Time flies when you are having rum...
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V
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
Agreed. Moutai is the way to go. I showed up a few times with some very nice Armagnac or a few bottles of Bordeaux and they're still sitting on the bookshelf imparting status on my potential future in-laws.
My gf's brother confided in me precisely what you read above...that their dad would appreciate and actually open a nice bottle of Moutai. So that's what I bring now.
Cheers,
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davidpeng
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
I am aware of this custom and actually I never expected him to open it in front of me. I was, however, a little surprised to see it still setting on the shelf several months later. My intent on this trip was not to give it as a gift but to bring it to dinner and open it.
I have decided to take everyones advise and bring two bottles. One to give as a gift. And one to drink at dinner.
"I am the punishment of God...If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.”
-CHINGIS KHAN(to the Persians)
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davidpeng
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
You and a few others have recommended Maotai and a few of my Chinese friends here as well. I will pick up a bottle of it either on the plane or in the airport.
I still need to decide what else to bring. Hennessey XO is too expensive. I am not a sipper and neither is my gf's father. I don't want to be cheap but when your draining shots to a chorus of "gan bei!" it just doesn't seem necessary.
I was thinking about something like Crown Royal. I enjoy the Canadian blends they go down easy and it's not going to break the bank either.
I don't understand why he wouldn't want to drink something different for a change. I don't mind bai jiu but I am also a person who enjoys diversity. I like almost anything.
"I am the punishment of God...If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.”
-CHINGIS KHAN(to the Persians)
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davidpeng
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
As I said in the previous post I don't want to be CHEAP. I like my gf and her father. I did however bookmark this link. I might have to order me some of the stuff next time I need some cheap boot liquor. lol.
"I am the punishment of God...If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.”
-CHINGIS KHAN(to the Persians)
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davidpeng
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
I new I would get a big response from you on this one
And I do appreciate it.
I initially purchased a 750ml of Captain Morgain's Premium stock to take with me, However, I was having second thoughts as to whether he would enjoy this. It also happened that my own personal stash at home dried up about the same time. Needless to say I used this bottle to mix me a few rum and cokes just last night }:-).
"I am the punishment of God...If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.”
-CHINGIS KHAN(to the Persians)
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admin
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
though my suggestion was partially in jest ... why do you think he'd think of you as "cheap"?
Put yourself in his position: young foreign romeo from a country with spendthrift ways on the verge of financial meltdown buys me a bottle of expensive booze I don't even like. Is this the type of guy that will take good care of my daughter?
Demonstrating your frugality might be just the gesture you need to make with him
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davidpeng
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
I understood your initial post as jesting, and my response was also intended to be in jest.
My gf is definitely not the Materialistic Chinese girl that many on this forum seem to have met. She actually does not like me spending a lot of money. She is ruthless when it comes to haggling with street vendors. She in fact would probably not want me to spend to much on this bottle. However my hope was to bring something at least semi enjoyable and maybe expand her father's tastes somewhat.
I do agree, the U.S. economy is going down the sh*t hole. I should spend less:-( .
"I am the punishment of God...If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.”
-CHINGIS KHAN(to the Persians)
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Colonel Hogan
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
You fail to understand that in a country of billions many are creatures of habit and do not want to stray from what they know and feel assoustomed to. V is a long time poster on this site and has experience in China as do I. It is possible to get a Chinese man to like something other than what he is used to but it takes a long time and many attempts. Take caviar for instance. The world loves it in certain circles beyond the status thing..but have you ever tried it. The first time you thank God there is a cracker to distract you from the taste. Second is better, 3rd, 4th etc., then you like it. Same with cigarettes...nobody (unless they are Irish like me) picks up a Marlboro red at 15 lights it and enjoys it. At 35....different story.
Good luck with it and marriage into a Chinese family to both you and to V. It is the best and worst of both worlds.
MAY YOU LIVE IN HEAVEN FOR THREE HOURS BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD
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elrey
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
What's your girlfriends name? We must have heave the same one, rofl. 10 kuwai for two pumpkins on a trip out was to much, so we got them for 8, haha.
I agree with the motai, everything else stays on the shelf forever. Brought a bottle of Jaegermeister for my boss once, still unopened after a year. Same with red wine an my gfs father...
motai is the deal.
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Skipinbj
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
lol
I love China! 一切反动派都是纸北京猫!!!
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david_hxb
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
Fully consider the suggestion above. Hits the nail on the head
Travel in China with www.chinaholidays.com
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davidpeng
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
I have to admit I am a little discouraged. Is there no other type of liquor that appeals to the chinese palate? I have decided to take a bottle of maotai and a bottle of Crown Royal(I haven't had this in a while). I will give the father the bottle of maotai as a gift and he can put it on the shelf or drink it whenever he wants. the bottle of Crown Royal I will open at the restuarant and pour him a glass. Hopefully he will enjoy it, If not then I will put it away and order a bottle of the usual cheap bai jiu.
I do appreciate all the suggestions. thanks...
"I am the punishment of God...If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.”
-CHINGIS KHAN(to the Persians)
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gooldenwending
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
I bet he'll put up with the Crown. Like I said, if nothing else it's a story, just like the ones we have of drinking baijiu.
I have to admit that I haven't heard many Chinese saying positive things about western alcohol. I wouldn't let it get you down though.
Also, because he might feel strange otherwise, my recommendation: if you open the bottle, finish it.
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davidpeng
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
Er.... this probably wont be a problem }:-)
"I am the punishment of God...If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.”
-CHINGIS KHAN(to the Persians)
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gooldenwending
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
From reading your original post I didn't think it would be
I mostly meant, I don't think that even if he doesn't like it that you should put it away. He'll put up with it, even if he doesn't like it as much as the cheap baijiu. Then when you're finished you can order a cheap baijiu and let the frolicking ensue.
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croozn
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
You could try scotch...Chivas is a pretty well known brand here and you could get a bottle of Chivas 18 (or 25) and then watch as it is dumped into a pitcher of iced green tea...
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"Dignity does not consist in possessing honors, but in deserving them." -Aristotle
"It doesn't matter who we are underneath. It is what we do
that defines us." -Batman
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ugorus
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
Bring him some seagram whisky (crown or other no difference) you can bring more then one so you can taste one and keep one.
Its alos well known around the world for quality and quite affordable. YOu will get a big face for that.
Or if he prefer not open it, bring some nice niagara/canadian Ice Wine. Very expensive in China and great decoration.
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ugorus
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
I personnaly like to bring very local Ice Wine. Very classy and in china those 375ml bottle sells for 700rmb.
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gooldenwending
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
What's Ice Wine?
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ugorus
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
It's a desert wine... It's very sweet. Can't drink to much of it. you can find them made from traditional grapes or other fruits like (apple, cherry...). Just a different fermatation process and ofcourse made with frozen grapes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_wine
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bobby_liu
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
i always miss-read this thread title as "what's the best way to bring my girlfriend to my father...."
@@
when can china be fully like Canada/US/Europe???
200 years later??!
......
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tefl-dan
Re: What is the best alcohol to bring girlfriend's father?
Patron ftw
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