Mekhong is a Thai liquor with 35% alcohol by volume, made from sugarcane, rice, and a secret blend of herbs and spices. It was created in Thailand and is named after the Mekong River.
History
Launched in 1941, Mekhong quickly became Thailand's most popular spirit brand. However, it gradually lost market share to foreign whiskey brands. In the 1980s, the company attempted to sell the brand without success. Production ceased in 2010 but resumed in 2011 under new ownership, and Mekhong has been regaining popularity in Thailand and expanding internationally.
How it is made
Mekhong is made from sugarcane, rice, and molasses products, with a secret recipe of herbs and spices including special onions, seasonings, and spices. The exact composition remains undisclosed, which gives Mekhong its distinctive taste and aroma.
About the name
The spirit is named after the Mekong River, the largest river on the Indochinese Peninsula, known as the 'river of nine dragons.' The river flows through China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, and partially forms the border between Laos and Myanmar and Laos and Thailand.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Тайский виски, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.