The history of this traditional Chinese liquor dates back over 2,000 years with a significant evolution during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) when Chinese distillers introduced advanced and unique techniques for processing this distinctive type of liquor. Maotai became the first Chinese liquor to be produced in large-scale production. The communist government consolidated many local distilleries into 1 state-owned company, Kweichowow Moutai (the name is an old romanization of "Guizhou Maotai"). This company is located in Guizhou province, in the southwest of China, where the liquor distillery has a very long tradition. Since its Gold award in 1915 at the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco, Moutai shares the title of top 3 distilled spirits in the world with Cognac Brandy from France and Whiskey from the Scottish Highlands. However, it is the only one of the 3 that is distilling yeast during its distillation process (7 times) and the only one that uses solid grain material in the fermentation process which makes this liquor even more special and unique. With good reason, this multi-winning, high-end spirit was named China's top liquor in 1951, two years after the founding of the People's Republic of China. It has become the ultimate gift for special people and various celebrations. It is the only alcoholic drink presented as an official gift from Chinese embassies in foreign countries and is used on many official occasions with foreign heads of state.