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NATURE & GASTRONOMY

 

 

 

  lao khao (rice whiskey)

 

Thailand

Lao khao rice whiskey, a locally distilled whiskey, is a strong alcoholic beverage that is traditionally made from glutinous or sticky rice. It is also known as moonshine whiskey since due to its illegal nature these spirits were often made at night under the light of the moon to avoid detection from authorities.

 

Steamed sticky rice is mixed with yeast and a starter culture and kept in a fermentation tank (fig.), then water is added and after fermentation the rice whiskey is distilled (fig.). The mostly makeshift distilleries that produce this kind of usually illicit spirits often use recycled glass bottles from which the original label is removed and replaced with their own.

 

  lao khao (rice whiskey)