88 Tunnel

The 88 Tunnel, famous for its wine aroma that carries for miles, feels like opening a secret vault of aged treasures when you step through its doors. At the entrance, large wine jars line both sides, with the four characters '八八坑道' (88 Tunnel) prominently displayed above. Inside, the tunnel is remarkably cool, maintaining a constant temperature of 16-19 degrees Celsius year-round. This stable, constant-temperature environment ensures the quality of the aging wines, making it an excellent wine cellar. The main structure of the tunnel is made of granite, and it is located not far diagonally opposite the Matsu Distillery. Legend has it that the 88 Tunnel was originally a natural cave where residents hid from pirates. After the military garrisoned Matsu, it was further excavated, deepened, and fortified, transforming it into a tank tunnel. It is 200 meters long and could accommodate an infantry battalion. Its front exit was designed to counter enemy forces invading by sea, while the rear exit led to the former Nangan military airport. Completed in 1974 after approximately 10 years of construction, it was named '88 Tunnel' because its completion coincided with President Chiang Kai-shek's 88th birthday. After martial law was lifted, the Matsu Distillery began using this tunnel to age its fine spirits. The Kaoliang liquor produced here was named '88 Tunnel,' which not only became a major feature of Matsu liquor but also significantly boosted its reputation. Currently, the main passage serves as the storage area for aged wines in jars, while the secondary passage is dedicated to Kaoliang liquor tanks. The aged wine storage area stores...