Taipei: Two spirits produced by a Taiwanese distillery using Taiwan-grown rice received unanimous recognition at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the largest event of its kind in North America. The spirits produced by Heng Chi Distillery earned Double Gold - an honor awarded 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 made public on Thursday.

According to Focus Taiwan, the award-winning products were Shoufeng Voyage 3, made with rice from Shoufeng Township in Hualien County, and Pocael 194 Rice Spirit, made with rice from the Hsinchu area. Lo I-neng, a Heng Chi representative, emphasized the importance of producing high-value spirits for international recognition. Lo noted that the Shoufeng rice variety was introduced from Japan during Taiwan's Japanese colonial period, while Hsinchu rice has long been praised for its quality as a food staple.

The success of the drink made with Hsinchu rice "proves that even rice not specifically cultivated for alcohol production can earn international recognition," Lo commented, suggesting that other Taiwanese rice varieties could have similar potential. Lo further stated that Taiwan's land and rice could gain global visibility with the right craftsmanship, which could in turn open more opportunities for Taiwanese farmers and others in the agricultural industry.

While sake is the most familiar rice-based drink, Lo explained that Taiwan's climate isn't ideal for brewing it. Instead, distilling locally grown rice into base spirits offers more possibilities. In addition to the two Double Golds, Heng Chi Distillery also won three golds, five silvers, and three bronzes - its best-ever result at the annual competition.