A Spirit Rooted in Terroir: Choeng Doi Distillery Launches ‘Sonklin’ in Bangkok | Bangkok Foodies

By BangkokFoodies • 4 weeks ago • Events Gallery, What's News

On the evening of Monday, 28 April 2025, friends of Choeng Doi Distillery, media, and hospitality industry insiders gathered at PAGA MicroRoastery in Bangkok for the private launch of Sonklin — the first release from the newly established Chiang Dao-based distillery. The casual yet curated event welcomed chefs, bartenders, restaurateurs, and supporters of Thai craft, all eager to experience a new benchmark in locally produced spirits.

Guests were treated to cocktails by the award-winning Bar Not Found, crafted using Sonklin, and accompanied by Northern Thai snacks sourced directly from Chiang Dao — a nod to the distillery’s deep connection to its place of origin. Throughout the evening, founders Jeen Snidvongs and Chanipa Sarasin engaged with attendees, sharing the philosophy, production process, and inspiration behind their unique spirit.

Choeng Doi Distillery operates from the foothills of Doi Luang Chiang Dao, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its purity and ecological diversity. The distillery uses naturally soft, mineral-balanced spring water and locally grown Khao Niew Sanpatong (Sanpatong Sticky Rice) to craft a rice spirit that is clean, expressive, and full of place. Every step — from cultivation to distillation — is done within a short radius of the facility, ensuring transparency, traceability, and a true sense of terroir.

Sonklin is a contemporary take on traditional rice distillates. It’s double-distilled using copper pot and column stills, then gently filtered through coconut carbon to highlight the subtle sweetness and floral complexity of its ingredients. The result is a refined spirit with a smooth texture, a light aromatic profile, and a distinctive finish that reflects both innovation and heritage.

Named after the Thai word for tuberose — a flower known for its gentle fragrance — Sonklin captures the soft, natural elegance of the region, while its label design pays homage to หงส์ในโคม (Hong Nai Khom), a traditional Northern Thai motif that symbolises grace and balance.

The founders’ vision is to elevate Thai spirits on the global stage by combining local agriculture, sustainable practices, and world-class distillation. From the use of repurposed firewood and sugarcane fibre to zero-burning farming commitments with local partners, Choeng Doi is leading a more conscious and locally-rooted approach to craft distilling in Thailand.

The evening concluded with warm conversations, shared tastings, and a collective sense of excitement for what Choeng Doi represents: not just a new product, but a new chapter for Thailand in the world of premium spirits.

Sonklin is now available via select partners and directly from Choeng Doi Distillery, with international distribution to follow in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia later this year.