Taoyuan Distillery Introduction
Traveling along Cultural Road, it's hard not to be attracted by the giant bottle model; this is the Taoyuan Distillery, the largest producer in northern Taiwan (renamed from Linkou Distillery in 2014). After merging Taipei Distillery, Banqiao Distillery, and Shulin Distillery, it is currently the most modern distillery. The park beside the distillery features art installations made from wine jars, and the entrance path is surrounded by grapevines and lush greenery, creating a serene atmosphere perfect for wine tasting. Taoyuan Distillery is the first modernized distillation factory in Taiwan and the only one producing Japanese sake. The factory provides a detailed introduction to the long history of brewing and showcases Taoyuan Distillery's most representative product, "Yuqian Sake", with a complete display of the brewing process—from rice selection, soaking, to koji fermentation—using small models. The elegant aroma of sake lees fills the air, heightening the anticipation for the taste of the finished sake. Free tastings are available, with a warm texture that's unforgettable. The "Sake Bank" on-site, commonly known as the wine cellar, features a graceful classical Chinese interior, creating a pleasant environment for savoring wine. Each jar labeled with "Daughter's Red" and "Top Scholar's Red" symbolizes wishes for one's children, filling the room with fragrance and fully immersing visitors in the aroma of time-honored spirits. The distillery offers special DIY experience courses for groups, with the most popular being salt koji and sake lees soap-making classes. The process is simple and enjoyable for both children and adults, with the natural skincare effect highly favored by female customers. Additionally, there are discussions on making salt koji, which has gained immense popularity in Japan recently, and creative cocktail mixing that offers rich flavors to stimulate the palate. Besides excellent gift boxes of fine sake, travelers without a wine tasting habit can purchase various sake-related products—like the "sake lees face mask," known as the "civilian version of SK II," the highly sought-after "red yeast health crackers," and the flavorful "Shaoxing sausage," ensuring that visitors leave the distillery with delightful souvenirs.
