Goalong Liquor Distillery Co., Ltd.

History

Founding and vision

The brand Goalong was created by founder Mr. Alan Gao. He enjoys the freedom of whiskey, but wanted a bottle that also reflected a Chinese taste. With the vision of creating Chinese whiskey, he established the first distillery with limited resources. The first bottle of Goalong Single Malt Whiskey – Laboratory The 1st – was produced in 2016, paving the way for Goalong Whiskey. After a field study at the source of the Liuyang River, Liuyang Goalong Liquor Distillery Co., Ltd was planned to be built at the foot of Dawei Mountain in 2017. The team has worked to give the whiskey its own character by improving the distillation heating and is among the few distilleries in the world that use thermal oil heating, which they believe contributes to a characteristic burnt toast note. Their whiskey is unique in taste, aroma, and packaging, reflecting a pursuit of freedom and individuality as well as a lifelong, open-minded whiskey journey.

Development and recognitions

Goalong was originally a brand founded in 2011, and the company was subsequently established in 2012. The first bottle reached the market in 2016, and the distillery was established between 2017 and 2021. In 2022 Goalong Single Malt Whiskey Small Batch opened the door to the European market. In 2023 Goalong won a range of medals in international competitions (SFWSC Silver, ISC Bronze, IWSC Bronze), and in 2024 they achieved WWA Gold and ISC Gold. These results support the goal of being a recognized Chinese whisky brand on a global stage.

Production and locality

The distillery is located in the Liuyang valley's mountainous landscape near the Liuyang River and Dawei Mountain. The region has four seasons and high-quality water, contributing to a distinct terroir in production. The aim is to combine traditional whiskey craftsmanship with modern control technologies and environmental sustainability, including energy savings and reuse of waste products.

Production / Manufacturing

Distillation Equipment and Heating

Goalong Distillery uses a 5-tonne small pot still for single malt whiskey and a continuous distillation process for grain whiskey. The stills vary in material (copper and stainless steel) and are heated with thermal oil. The temperature can be controlled to over 140 C, producing a more intense Maillard reaction and thus a burnt aroma of toasted bread in new spirit and a flavour characterized by sweetness, malt, and fruit aromas such as roses and green apples.

Maturation and Cellar

The distillery has a four-season cellar divided into four sections, with space for a total of 6,666 casks. There are more than 20 different cask types in the cellar, including Bourbon, Sherry, Mizunara, and a range of wine casks (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Port, Bordeaux, Burgundy, etc.), as well as a signature Chinese brandy cask.

R&D and Sustainability

Goalong has a Research and Development laboratory equipped with 500-liter equipment for R&D, incorporating yeast research and small distillation trials and can accommodate needs for single malt and single grain whisky. Emphasis on sustainability with energy-saving heat exchangers, treated and recycled wastewater, CO2 reuse from fermentation, and the utilization of saccharification waste for animal feed and fertilizer in related projects.

Fermentation and Saccharification

Fermentation involves eight 25-ton fermentation tanks with around 96 hours of fermentation. Saccharification uses semi-lauter mash tun with a single stage and two rounds of grain washing to extract sugars from the grain.

Products / Whisky Series

Core product series and variations

• Goalong Single Malt Whiskey Core – an authentic single malt with an oriental nuance, spicy and fruity, with notes of sandalwood and dates, as well as rich caramel pudding.

• Goalong Single Malt Whiskey Bourbon Cask

• Goalong Single Malt Whiskey Brandy Cask

• Goalong Single Malt Whiskey STR Wine Cask – uses a used wine cask from Napa Valley via STR treatment (shave-toast-char)

• Goalong Single Malt Whiskey Small Batch – a blend of 5 different casks with notes of honey, vanilla, and malt

• Goalong Single Malt Whiskey Vigorous Edition – a blend of Bourbon and STR Wine Cask (40% ABV, 500 ml or 700 ml)

• Goalong Single Malt Whiskey Dream Edition – a blend of Bourbon and Chardonnay casks (43% ABV)

Tasting Notes (selected examples from the page)

• STR Wine Cask: rich fruit aromas, biscuits and hay, with a salted caramel texture and a finish of strong oak.

• Bourbon Cask: notes of cream and toffee, biscuit and dessert, with a sweet, juicy finish and notes of vanilla.

• Brandy Cask: oaked with brandy character, notes of bruised fruits, cinnamon, and licorice, and a long, warm finish.

• Small Batch: sweet, clean and smooth – balanced with vanilla and fruity tones.

Alcohol content and bottle formats

• Individual products come with varying ABV between 40% and 47%, primarily in 700 ml bottle size (some variants are also offered in 500 ml).

Visits / Experiences

There is no information in the material about tours or specific visiting experiences, but a company video is mentioned and presence at industry events such as TsingTao Whisky Week.

Philosophy

Mission and Vision

• Mission: To create happiness and make Goalong a symbol of high-quality national brands.

• Vision: Goalong becomes recognized worldwide.

Values and Spirit

• Customer-first, employee development, and social responsibility.

• Corporate spirit: Sincere, have dreams, and dare to break through.

• Slogan: Loyalty to freedom and progress.

The Brand's Core Theme

The brand focuses on freedom as a physical and mental quest, a desire to make Chinese whiskey free and personal – a journey through interpretation, design and innovation in collaboration with consumers.