Shanghai’s Hai Seas Distillery

Posted: April 9th, 2026 | No Comments »

My immense thanks to Brian Wang and the Hai Seas Distillery in Shanghai for a much appreciated bottle of their San Oaks Whiskey and of their Crazy Eights Gold Oak Gin. Hai Seas use local grains and mountain spring water while their whiskey is finished in ex-bourbon barrels giving it a really distinctive flavour – their ‘Three Body Barrel’ concept combining French oak for vanilla and marzipan, American oak for caramel and roasted nuts, and Chinese Mongolica oak for spice. Really delicious. 

Their Crazy Eights dark gin is a revelation – essentially a liqueur of local Chinese botanicals that needs no mixer and can be pleasantly drunk neat. 

Check out Hai Seas whole range, history and order at https://hai-seas.com – if you’re in Shanghai there’s tastings and you can visit their distillery. 

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