Dao Distillery’s “De Emperor Elixir” nods to Vietnam’s long tradition of herb-infused ru?u d?, reworked through a distinctly Californian lens. Founded in Rancho Cordova by chemist Binh Dao, the distillery focuses on jasmine rice spirits fermented and distilled with a hybrid of traditional Vietnamese and modern techniques. This bottling starts with a clean rice distillate, then layers in American ginseng and a curated mix of botanicals inspired by historic “Minh M?ng” herbal elixirs once associated with Vietnam’s imperial court. The result is aromatic but composed, offering lifted herbal tones, light spice, and a measured sweetness that never tips into syrupy territory. At 45% ABV, it carries surprising structure, finishing warm, dry, and quietly complex. An engaging bridge between Southeast Asian tradition and modern craft distillation, with versatility for sipping or cocktails.