Choeng Doi Distillery Redefines Thai Craft Spirits With Sonklin
Choeng Doi Distillery is setting a new standard for premium craft spirits in Thailand. Thai-founded and independently operated, the distillery is committed to showcasing the country’s finest ingredients and craftsmanship. Every spirit is made using locally sourced materials and distilled in one of Thailand’s most advanced facilities, nestled in the foothills of Chiang Dao.
Choeng Doi Distillery is rooted in Chiang Dao — a region renowned not only for its breathtaking natural beauty, but for its deep connection to the land and longstanding agricultural traditions. The distillery’s water runs from Doi Luang Chiang Dao UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a protected highland area known for its purity and ecological richness. This mountain water is naturally soft and mineral-balanced, forming the perfect foundation for clean, expressive fermentation.
All raw ingredients used in production are either grown on the estate or sourced within a two-hour drive from the distillery. This ultra-local sourcing model isn’t just about traceability — it’s about terroir. From the specific rice varietal of Khao Niew Sanpatong (Sanpatong Sticky Rice) to the surrounding flora that influence fermentation, every element is shaped by the region’s soil, climate, and biodiversity.
Chiang Dao offers more than just resources — it offers rhythm, tradition, and reverence. It is a place where agriculture and craftsmanship coexist with nature, and where Choeng Doi can distill something that could come from nowhere else.
With a focus on quality, sustainability, and cultural authenticity, Choeng Doi delivers a uniquely Thai spirit experience — refined, expressive, and deeply rooted in place.
Sonklin is the debut release from Choeng Doi Distillery — a contemporary interpretation of traditional rice distillates. Crafted entirely from estate-grown Khao Niew Sanpatong rice, the spirit is fermented, double-distilled in copper pot and column stills, and gently filtered through coconut carbon to create a clean, lightly aromatic profile.
Balancing subtle grain notes with a lightly sweet finish, Sonklin pays homage to Thailand’s agricultural heritage while embracing a modern, international perspective. Every sip reflects care in cultivation, precision in distillation, and reverence for Thai terroir. This is Thailand’s spirit.
The label design draws inspiration from หงส์ในโคม (Hong Nai Khom), a traditional Northern Thai fabric motif that depicts a swan cradled inside a lantern. Symbolizing grace, light, and the balance between earth and sky, the pattern reflects Sonklin’s dual nature: grounded in Thai heritage yet light, modern, and expressive. The visual identity is both minimal and meaningful — a contemporary nod to Chiang Dao’s artistic and cultural spirit.
Choeng Doi Distillery is committed to minimizing environmental impact at every stage — from sourcing to serving.
Although renewable energy cannot yet be used to power stills due to current regulations, the distillery instead fuels production using firewood from dead trees, orchards undergoing replanting, and bagasse (sugarcane fibre) from their pressing process. Moisture content is closely monitored to ensure clean, complete combustion.
Additional sustainability measures include:
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Spent molasses wash is repurposed by a local company to protect newly paved roads.
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Spent grain is sent to a nearby farm as feed for ducks and geese.
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Waste liquid is treated with EM (Effective Microorganism) microbes before further processing offsite.
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All partner farms commit to no- or low-chemical practices, zero field burning, and ecologically holistic land management.
What sets Choeng Doi Distillery apart is not only where it makes its spirits, but how and why. Sonklin is more than a rice distillate — it is a distilled expression of Thailand, culture, and craft, created with intention and respect.
At a time when many spirits in the region are still defined by industrial processes, Choeng Doi brings a new voice to Thai distillation — one that is transparent, traceable, and terroir-driven. Every element, from grain to glass, originates within a short radius of the distillery, ensuring that the finished product captures the flavour and feeling of Northern Thailand.
Sonklin’s uniqueness lies in its clarity and subtlety. Rather than overpowering with artificial flavour or aggressive heat, it invites the drinker to explore the gentle complexities of Thai sticky rice, the minerality of Chiang Dao spring water, and the soft aromatics from fermentation shaped by native flora. It is refined yet honest — a new benchmark for contemporary Thai spirits.
Importantly, Sonklin is a spirit designed to stand proudly on the global shelf, not as an imitation but as an authentic ambassador of Thailand — showcasing what the country has to offer when heritage, agriculture, and craftsmanship align.
In doing so, Choeng Doi Distillery is helping to redefine how Thailand is seen in the world of premium spirits — not just as a place of consumption but as a place of origin, innovation, and deep-rooted identity.
Technical Details:
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Product Name: Sonklin: Contemporary Rice Spirit, ซ่อนกลิ่น
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Distillery: Choeng Doi Distillery, โรงกลั่นเชิงดอย
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Origin: Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai
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Grain: Khao Niew Sanpatong (Sanpatong Sticky Rice)
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Process: Fermented, copper pot stripping run, column spirit run, coconut carbon filtration
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ABV: 40%
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Volume: 70cl (700ml)
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Release Date:
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Thailand: April 27, 2025
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Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia: Q3 2025
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Availability: Direct from Choeng Doi Distillery (select retailers to follow)
Suggested Servings
Northern Rice Sonklin | Yuzu | Khao Hom Nin Syrup | Shiso Leaf | Shiso Leaf Powder
Refreshing, subtly sweet with notes of pandan and sticky rice with custard, balanced by herbaceous tones of shiso.
About the Founders
Choeng Doi Distillery was founded by Chanipa Sarasin and Jeen Snidvongs, two partners with a shared vision to elevate Thai spirits on the global stage.
Jeen brings his extensive knowledge and international experience of the spirits world, having worked across brand development and operations overseas. Chanipa draws on deep-rooted knowledge of Thai agricultural practices and traditional fermentation methods, shaped by her passion for Thai ingredients.
Together, they have created a distillery that bridges past and future — blending Thai ingredients and terroir with global craft standards to produce something truly distinctive.
Their mission is simple: to bottle the essence of Thailand with clarity, care, and character.