Taoyuan Distillery Introduction
As you walk along Culture Road, it's hard to miss the giant sake bottle model that draws your attention; this is the Taoyuan Distillery, the largest distillery in northern Taiwan (renamed from Linkou Distillery in 2014). After consolidating Taipei Distillery, Banqiao Distillery, and Shulin Distillery, it currently operates as the most modern sake factory. The park next to the distillery features sake jar installation art, with a pathway framed by grapevines and lush greenery, creating a leisurely atmosphere for tasting. Taoyuan Distillery is the first modernized and only sake brewing factory producing Japanese sake in Taiwan. Inside, it thoroughly introduces the long history of brewing and showcases the distillery's most representative product – "Yuquan Sake." The entire process, from selecting rice to soaking and fermentation with koji, is presented through small models. The elegant aroma of sake lees in the air piques anticipation for the taste of the final product. On-site sake tasting is available, offering a warm, unforgettable flavor. The "Sake Bank" inside, commonly known as the wine cellar, provides a refined Chinese-style interior space that enhances the joy of tasting and brewing. Each jar labeled with "Daughter's Red" and "Top Scholar's Red" symbolizes wishes for children, filling the room with a fragrant atmosphere that immerses visitors in the scent of time. The distillery offers DIY experience courses specially for groups, with the most popular being salt koji and sake lees soap-making classes. The process is simple and enjoyable for both kids and adults, while the natural skincare benefits are well-loved by female customers. Additionally, there are discussions on salt koji production, highly popular in Japan in recent years, and creative cocktail-making that greatly stimulates the palate. Besides the excellent sake gift boxes ideal for souvenirs, travelers who are not used to tasting sake can also purchase related products, such as the "sake lees mask" with the 'budget version of SK II', the trending "red yeast health crackers", and the delicious "Shaoxing sausage," ensuring that visitors leave the distillery with more than just memories.
