Taoyuan Distillery Introduction
As you walk along Culture Road, it's hard not to be drawn to the enormous sake bottle model; this is Taoyuan Distillery, the largest producer in northern Taiwan (renamed from Linkou Distillery in 2014). After merging with Taipei Distillery, Banqiao Distillery, and Shulin Distillery, it is now the most modern distillery with state-of-the-art equipment. The park next to the distillery features sake jar installations, and the entrance walkway is surrounded by grapevines and lush greenery, creating a leisurely wine tasting atmosphere. Taoyuan Distillery is the first modernized and only sake brewery in Taiwan, providing a detailed introduction to the long history of brewing, showcasing the distillery's most representative product—"Yuqiu Sake". The entire process from rice selection, soaking, to koji fermentation is presented in small models. The elegant aroma of sake lees is enticing, promising a wonderful sake experience. Sake tastings are offered on-site, with a smooth texture that leaves a memorable impression. The "Sake Bank" in the distillery is recognized as the well-known cellar, featuring a beautifully designed interior space that enhances the joy of tasting and brewing. Each jar of famous "Daughter's Red" and "Top Scholar's Red" symbolizes wishes for children, filling the room with fragrance and immersing one in a fragrant journey through time. The distillery also offers DIY experience courses specifically designed for groups, with the most popular being the salt koji and sake lees soap-making classes. The process is simple, making it fun for both children and adults, while the natural skincare effects are particularly loved by female customers. Additionally, there are discussions about salt koji brewing, which has become very popular in Japan in recent years, along with creative cocktail mixing that tantalizes the taste buds with rich flavors. Visiting the distillery also provides excellent gift options with its fine sake gift boxes. For travelers who are not accustomed to wine tasting, there are also sake-related products for sale, such as "Sake Lees Face Masks" which contain "the affordable version of SK-II," the highly sought-after "Red Yeast Rice Health Cakes," and the flavor-rich "Shaoxing Sausages," ensuring that no one leaves the distillery empty-handed.
