Kinmen Distillery, distillery in Kinmen
Kinmen Distillery in Jinning Township is a production site for Kaoliang, a strong spirit made from sorghum using traditional methods. The facility combines modern stainless steel tanks with older brick fermentation chambers where grain develops its flavor and character.
The distillery was founded in 1952 as a government project after military commander Hu Lien took over and formalized local Kaoliang production. The name changed to Jiulong River Distillery in 1954 and later to Kinmen Distillery in 1956, with early fermentation methods preserved to this day.
The name 'Kaoliang' comes from the Mandarin word for sorghum, the main ingredient in the spirit. The distillery is a place where local tradition shows in every step, from the fermentation chambers to carefully bottled products that visitors take home as connections to island craftsmanship.
Visitors can join tours to watch the production process from fermentation through distillation and taste different types of Kaoliang. The site is accessible through a visitor shop where bottles can be purchased as souvenirs.
Older production sites use underground tunnels dating from wartime as natural aging cellars for spirits. These former shelters provide constant temperature and humidity that develop complex flavors and give the drink its distinctive taste.
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