Two spirits produced by a Taiwanese distillery using Taiwan-grown rice received unanimous recognition at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the largest event of its kind in North America.
The spirits produced by Heng Chi Distillery earned Double Gold awards — an honor given to entries that receive top marks from all judges — at the mid-April event.
The results of the competition, organized by The Tasting Alliance, were announced on Thursday.
Photo courtesy of the Heng Chi Distillery via CNA
“If we want [our products] to be recognized internationally, we must produce high-value spirits,” Heng Chi representative Lo I-neng (羅已能) said on Thursday.
The award-winning products were Shoufeng Voyage 3, made with rice from Shoufeng Township (壽豐) in Hualien County, and Pocael 194 Rice Spirit, made with rice from the Hsinchu area.
The rice from Shoufeng is a variety introduced from Japan during the Japanese colonial period, while the Hsinchu rice has long been praised for its high quality as a food staple, Lo said.
The success of the Hsinchu rice spirit “proves that even rice not specifically cultivated for alcohol production can earn international recognition,” Lo said, adding that many other Taiwanese rice varieties could have similar potential.
“Taiwan’s land and its rice could gain global visibility with the right craftsmanship,” Lo said.
It could open up opportunities for Taiwanese farmers and the agricultural industry, Lo added.
While sake is the most internationally recognized rice-based beverage, Lo said that Taiwan’s climate is not well-suited for brewing it.
Instead, distilling locally grown rice into base spirits offers better opportunities, Lo said.
In addition to the two Double Golds, Heng Chi Distillery also took home three golds, five silvers and three bronzes — its best-ever result at the annual competition.
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