Recently, Taiwan Sugar Corporation (Taisugar) has been enjoying a string of successes with multiple recognitions from prestigious international awards. Collaborating with the Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism (NKUHT), Taisugar has utilized locally grown sugarcane to craft quality rum. This debut entry at this year's Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles secured a silver medal, capturing global attention. Taiwan Sugar has affirmed its ongoing commitment to research and development in partnership with NKUHT, aiming for successful large-scale production of locally-flavored rum, aiming to pave the way for a new era in Taiwan's sugarcane farming industry.

Since 2022, Taisugar has initiated the "Research on Sugarcane Liqueur Development" commissioned research project. Collaborating with the NKUHT, the project is overseen by Mr. Chien-hao Chen, the first in Taiwan to obtain a winemaker qualification from France. The research project focuses on utilizing locally cultivated Taiwanese sugarcane to create exceptionally-flavored rum, enriched with the essence of Ilha Formosa (Taiwan).

Taisugar added that the award-winning Rhum pur jus de canne de Formose - Coeur de chauffe Ambre is crafted from sugarcane sourced from the "ROC 24" variety, which boasts of native wild sugarcane DNA. Throughout the research phase, Mr. Chien-hao Chen and his team personally harvested the sugarcane at Taisugar's farm in Shanhua, Tainan. They ensured that the sugarcane remained at temperatures below 25 degrees Celsius after juicing. Employing specially designed French stills, they distilled the rum base and subsequently aged it for six months in barrels made of French oak sourced from Putao wine. This meticulous process resulted in the creation of Rhum pur jus de canne de Formose - Coeur de chauffe Ambre, which exudes delightful notes of fresh sugarcane sweetness and offers a refined and elegant taste profile.

According to Taisugar, the Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles stands as a landmark global event within the realm of spirits competitions. This year saw entries from 57 countries, totaling 2,383 submissions. A blind tasting, conducted by 138 professional judges representing 32 nations, determined the award-winning spirits. Amidst this intense competition, the success of the rum co-developed by Taisugar and NKUHT proved to be a remarkable feat. Taisugar plans to continue collaborating with Mr. Chien-hao Chen to further dedicate efforts to research and development, aiming to efficiently mass produce this premium rum that encapsulates Taiwan's unique terroir, thus envisioning an exciting outlook for Taiwan's sugarcane industry.

Chang Mu-jung
Public Relations, Department of Secretariat, TSC
Contact Number:886-6-337-8819 / 886-920-636-951
Email:a63449@taisugar.com.tw