Kim Long Liquor: Renowned Traditional Flavor of Quang Tri

Kim Long liquor originates from Kim Long village, Hai Que commune, Hai Lang district, Quang Tri province – a coastal land with a history of over 600 years. The craft of liquor brewing here originated about 200 years ago during the feudal period and quickly became famous thanks to its superior flavor. According to the book "Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi" (Volume 8, section "Local Products") during the reign of King Tu Duc, Kim Long liquor was evaluated as "the best of all" compared to other liquors in Quang Tri.

During the French colonial period (early 20th century), the French colonialists surveyed water sources in Central Vietnam villages and chose Kim Long to establish the Xika (or Xikar) distillery with exclusive production rights. They moved traditional folk stills into the factory, banned homebrewing to collect taxes, and exported the liquor to France as well as many European countries. However, when bringing the technology and tools back to France, they failed because they could not replicate the flavor; the secret lay in the special "dragon vein" water source found only in Kim Long village. In 1946, the villagers revolted and destroyed the distillery to reclaim their freedom to produce liquor. Today, Kim Long liquor has been restored and developed, with Xika Co., Ltd. (established in 1996) combining tradition and modernity, exporting to Laos and Thailand.

Folklore also says that Kim Long liquor originated from Prince Kim Long (Golden Dragon) – the youngest son of the Jade Emperor, who brought the celestial wine recipe from heaven down to help the people live in harmony. Whether legend or truth, history has confirmed the status of this liquor as a cultural heritage.

Kim Long liquor is famous for its rich spicy taste, subtle aroma, and mild sweet lingering aftertaste, making tasters feel "sober yet drunk, drunk yet sober". What makes this liquor so distinct? The answer lies in three main factors: the water source, raw ingredients, and traditional brewing methods.

Special Water Source

The water source in Kim Long village is considered the “soul” of the liquor. The natural well water here contains unique minerals found nowhere else. The French colonialists tried distilling Kim Long liquor in many other places, but could not recreate the authentic flavor, proving that the water in Kim Long is an irreplaceable factor.

Refined Ingredients

Kim Long liquor is mainly distilled from local rice, red rice, and herbal rice. Rice is carefully selected to ensure the highest quality. Yeast starter is also a family secret, processed from 18 traditional Chinese herbs, rice powder, galangal powder, and starter yeast, combined with fermentation techniques tailored to local weather. Although yeast is no longer made locally today, the people of Kim Long still adjust it to maintain its exclusive quality.

Traditional Brewing Method

The brewing process of Kim Long liquor is an art form. Rice is fermented continuously for 5–7 days, then distilled using the traditional top-cooled copper pot method. Copper pots help maintain the signature bold spicy taste, while a wooden bucket containing cold water on top helps condense liquor vapor, creating crystal-clear drops free of toxins. Casuarina firewood (ironwood) is used for cooking, ensuring an even fire and stable temperature, contributing to its premium quality.

Each batch yields only about 1–2 liters from 3kg of rice, requiring meticulous attention and patience. After distillation, the liquor is usually submerged in a cold water pool to smooth out and enhance its flavor before distribution. The result is a liquor with an alcohol content of around 45–50 degrees, as clear as rainwater, intensely aromatic, richly spicy, and sweet on the finish.

Today, Kim Long liquor does not stop at traditional rice wine, but has developed various variations to meet consumers' tastes:

• Rice liquor: The classic variety, distilled from Khang Dan rice, with a bold spicy taste, crystal clear, priced around 35,000 VND/liter.
• Glutinous rice liquor: More aromatic, sweeter, suitable for those who love a rich flavor, priced around 45,000 VND/liter.
• Red rice liquor: Using the region's specialty red rice, featuring a unique color and flavor, priced around 75,000 VND/liter.
• Herbal liquor: Combining herbal rice, good for health, popular among those seeking nourishing products.
• Tonic liquor: Such as ginseng liquor, snake liquor, gecko liquor, using precious ingredients from various regions, e.g., snakes from Vinh Tuong village, Vinh Phuc.

These liquor lines are not only diverse in flavor but also carry cultural value, making them suitable as gifts or for enjoyment on special occasions. Kim Long liquor is not merely a culinary product but a cultural icon of Quang Tri. With more than 700 households in Kim Long village engaged in liquor brewing, daily production reaches about 1,500 liters, all handcrafted to ensure original quality. Kim Long liquor is also listed among the "Four Great Famous Liquors" of Vietnam, alongside Lang Van liquor (Bac Giang), Bau Da liquor (Binh Dinh), and Go Den liquor (Long An).

To enjoy it to the fullest, pour the liquor into a small cup; you will see tiny bubbles clinging to the rim without dissolving immediately.  Drinking it chilled is ideal: lower the bottle into a deep well or pool to cool it down, yielding a soft, delicious taste. Drinking 3–5 cups will give you a tingling sensation on the tip of the tongue, a pleasantly light buzz without a headache.

Pairing it with rustic snacks like flame-grilled dried squid, the liquor will catch fire and burn gracefully without flaring up like alcohol-blended spirits. Besides direct drinking, 50-degree liquor can be used to infuse traditional Chinese medicine, precious animals/herbs (snake, ginseng), or mixed with galangal as a massage rub for aches and pains, particularly useful for postpartum women. 

Note: Drink in moderation to maintain health and truly enjoy this "soul of the village".

To buy authentic Kim Long liquor, visit Kim Long village directly in Hai Que commune, Hai Lang district, Quang Tri, where you can tour the stills and purchase directly from local families. 

• Central Vietnam (Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai): Tel 0977.133.235.
• Online: Website ruoukimlong.com or thienphuoc.com, home delivery available.

Kim Long liquor is not meant for getting drunk, but for sipping, to feel the harmony between tradition and modernity, between humans and nature. As in the poem by Tran Kim: “A glass of Kim Long liquor raised to remember / Connecting the homeland across ten thousand seas”, every drop is a story, a memory, and a source of pride for the people of Quang Tri.

Kim Long liquor is not just a local specialty, but the very soul of Quang Tri, a story of perseverance in preserving tradition amidst historical turns. Each drop is the crystallization of a precious water source, the skillful hands of artisans, and the deep love for their homeland held by the people of Kim Long. If you have the opportunity to visit Quang Tri, do not forget to enjoy a cup of Kim Long liquor to experience its rich spiciness, elegant fragrance, and the profound cultural values it carries.