Abstract: This study aimed to clarify the main physicochemical quality indicators of base spirit of the geographical indication product Yibin spirit for the purpose of providing a basis for the amendment of relevant standards. This investigation determined the alcohol (%, V/V), total acid and total ester contents of 524 samples and the contents of individual compounds including acetaldehyde, acetal, n-propyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, isobutanol, n-butyl alcohol, isoamyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl caproate and ethyl lactate in 267 of these samples according to the national standard (GB/T 10345-2007). Statistical analysis of data was performed with the SPSS software package, version 17.0. The results showed that the higher the alcohol content was, the greater the differences in total acids, total esters, ethyl acetate and ethyl caproate contents were. Overall, Yibin base spirit had appropriate content of total acids and high levels of total esters and ethyl caproate. A high proportion of these 524 samples were recognized as premium products according to the Technological Requirement for Solid-State Fermentation of Traditional Multi-Grain Luzhou-Flavor Liquor (Yibin liquor) (DB511500/T10-2014).

Key words: geographical indication, Yibin spirit, liquor, physicochemical quality