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Gaoliang sorghum liquor from Taiwan

Gaoliang Jiu (literally "sorghum liquor"; often called simply Gaoliang) is a strong
distilled liquor made from fermented sorghum (which is called Gaoliang in Chinese).
It is made and sold in both mainland China and Taiwan, and is also popular in Korea
where it is called Goryangju. Gaoliang Jiu is an important product of the islands
Kinmen and Matsu which are under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China.
Gaoliang Jiu ranges between 38 and 63 percent alcohol by volume.

The Matsu Distillery and
Tunnel 88

It is only natural that people
should compare the gaoliangs
made in Matsu and Kinmen.
Although Gaoliang Jiu from Matsu
and Kinmen are made using the
same type of distilling process,
the yeast is not the same. The
most important Gaoliang Jiu
producer in the island of Matsu is
The Matsu Distillery Ltd.

People could smell the Matsu Old
Wine from far when driving near
the Matsu Distillery. It was
established in 1956 and moved to
its present location in 1970. The
island’s sweet-water springs and
clean air are said to be the major
reasons for its ability to create
such a fine sorghum wine.

This distillery is also quick to point out
that its product is aged longer, and that
it has a smoother taste, so that people
can down a small cup in one shot.
Matsu Gaoliangs are twice distilled and
twice fermented before being placed in
the famous 'Tunnel 88' to age. This
tunnel is a 264-meter bunker originally
used by a tank company. In 1988 the
Kuomintang Army was turned it over to
the distillery for storage. Tunnel 88 has
changed from its military role to liquor