U.S. competition awards Taiwanese rice liquors with victories
Refresh: Taiwanese Rice Spirits Triumph at SF World Spirits Competition
Hey there! Let's chat about some exciting news in the world of spirits! This year, a couple of spirits brewed by a Taiwanese distillery using locally grown rice scored big at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. That's right, these top-notch rice spirits earned Double Gold awards - a prestigious accolade reserved for entries that impress all judges.
The victorious spirits hail from none other than Heng Chi Distillery. The award-winning duo consist of Shoufeng Voyage 3, crafted from rice grown in Shoufeng Township, Hualien County, and Pocael 194 Rice Spirit, made from rice sourced from the Hsinchu area.
In a statement, Lo I-neng (dern Unable to determine middle name), Heng Chi Distillery's representative, expressed his conviction about the global recognition of their products, stating that "If we want our products to shine in the international spotlight, we need to focus on producing high-quality spirits."
As for the Shoufeng rice, it's a variety descended from Japan's rice during the colonial period, while the Hsinchu rice has long been revered for its exceptional quality in culinary contexts. Lo noted that the success of the Hsinchu rice spirit signals a bright future for Taiwanese rice varieties, since even non-alcohol-specific rice can garner international accolades. With the right craftmanship, Taiwanese farmers and the agricultural industry could reap the rewards.
So, what gives Taiwan a unique edge in this competitive market? Well, while sake reigns supreme as the most recognized rice-based alcoholic beverage, Taiwan's climate isn't the best fit for brewing it. But instead of shifting focus to the widely consumed rice wines, the Heng Chi Distillery harnesses the potential of locally sourced rice and transforms it into base spirits. This approach allows for a more diverse product range and enables the creation of stronger, higher-alcohol products, like Taiwanese rice spirits and potential soju analogs.
In all, Heng Chi Distillery brought home a record-breaking total of three golds, five silvers, and three bronzes - their best-ever result at the annual competition. Now, aren't ya thirsty for some award-winning Taiwanese rice spirit? 🍶🏆
Other notable rice-based alcoholic beverages include Korean makgeolli, taekju, yakju, Chinese huangjiu, and Japanese amazake. Although these rice wines are popular in various cultures, distilling local rice into spirits offers Taiwan a better chance to differentiate itself in the thriving craft spirits market, thanks to its versatility, higher-alcohol content, and potential branding opportunities for export. Dive into the world of craft distilling with Taiwanese rice spirits – they're poised to shake up the global spirits scene!
- Taiwanese rice spirits from Heng Chi Distillery received prestigious Double Gold awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in April 20XX.
- The victorious spirits, Shoufeng Voyage 3 and Pocael 194 Rice Spirit, are made from locally grown rice, specifically from Shoufeng Township, Hualien County, and the Hsinchu area respectively.
- In a statement, Lo I-neng, Heng Chi Distillery's representative, emphasized the importance of producing high-quality spirits to gain international recognition, which was evident in their award-winning products.
- The success of Taiwanese rice spirits such as Shoufeng Voyage 3 and Pocael 194 at the competition signals a bright future for Taiwanese rice varieties in the global food-and-drink and lifestyle business, particularly in the craft spirits market.
