Derek Sandhaus is a spirits educator and award-winning author of 'Drunk in China' and 'Baijiu: The Essential Guide to Chinese Spirits'. While residing in China, he traveled extensively to the country’s alcohol production centers, learning from the people who make, sell, and consume traditional spirits. He now spends his time spreading that knowledge in the wider drinking world.

In 2018 he co-founded Ming River Sichuan Baijiu in partnership with China’s oldest distillery, a brand that aims to create a lasting place for baijiu beyond China's borders. He serves as the brand's marketing director and as editor of the educational website DrinkBaijiu.com. He currently lives in Athens, Greece.