A quantitative analysis method of chemical markers coupled with pattern recognition algorithms was established for the rapid discrimination of Lao-Xiang-Huang preserved in different years.A ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the analysis of 21 chemical markers related to Lao-Xiang-Huang and the internal standard kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside.The developed method was applied to the distinguishing of different preserving years of Lao-Xiang-Huang with good linearity,high sensitivity and strong specificity.According to the amounts of 15 detected chemical markers and combining analysis of principal component analysis(PCA),hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA),six differential chemical markers were identified significantly in contributing to the discrimination.Results showed that the chemical marker 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin was the uppermost contributor in distinguishing the preserving year of Lao-Xiang-Huang,which amounts were(47.465±1.987)μg/g in the 0th year,(17.069±0.542)μg/g in the 3rd year,(11.073±1.862)μg/g in the 5th year,(41.905±2.240)μg/g in the 8th year,(21.079±2.270)μg/g in the 10th year,(43.267±2.432)μg/g in the 15th year and(51.711±1.439)μg/g in the 20th year.The amount of 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin could reflect the preserving year of Lao-Xiang-Huang in a certain extent.To verify the reliability of the developed method,the proficiency test was carried out,and the calibrated year was in line with that provided by the manufacturer.This study provides a rapid and reliable method for the quality identification and control of Lao-Xiang-Huang in the market.