On the 2nd, the National Tax Service announced 12 awardees, including Dohan Cheongmyeongju, at the ‘K-Drink Awards’, which selects the best drinks in Korea.

After reviewing 366 alcoholic beverages submitted by 175 small and medium-sized domestic breweries since September, the National Tax Service selected 12 winners, three in each of four categories: takju·yakju·cheongju, fruit wine·beer, soju, and other liquors. This event was created for the first time to discover outstanding drinks from small and medium-sized enterprises and support their entry into global markets, with the aim of improving the alcoholic-beverage trade deficit, which exceeds 1 trillion KRW.

First, in the takju·yakju·cheongju category, Dohan Cheongmyeongju, Sansachun, and Joseon Yakju were selected. Dohan Cheongmyeongju is a premium yakju created by master nuruk maker Han Young-seok, who reinterpreted Joseon-era literature. Sansachun is a drink that brings out the sweet and tart taste and aroma of hawthorn fruit. Joseon Yakju is made by the Korean Traditional Liquor Brewery using methods recorded in old texts, characterized by a clean finish and a subtle aftertaste.

In the fruit wine·beer category, ‘Bebemaru For Wife’, Bokbunja Eum, and Sahwa Yuja were chosen. ‘Bebemaru For Wife’ is a red sweet wine said to have been made for a spouse who does not drink well. Bokbunja Eum is brewed with bokbunja, a specialty black raspberry from Gochang, Jeonbuk, and Sahwa Yuja is a fruit wine brewed by pressing yuja from Geoje, Gyeongnam.

In the soju category, Gyeongbokgung Soju, Naeoe 39, and Sarak GOLD were selected. Gyeongbokgung Soju is matured using the vibrations of music, offering a subtle rice aroma. Naeoe 39 has floral notes and tropical fruit flavors, and Sarak GOLD is a soju aged in American oak barrels using 100% domestically grown barley.

In the other liquors category, Gimpo 2025, Bochet 700, and Chinatown won. Gimpo 2025 is produced by the first Korean ‘Master Distiller’. A Master Distiller, as ‘the face of the brand’, is the person ultimately responsible for the quality of all spirits made at a distillery. Bochet 700 is a drink fermented after caramelizing domestically produced honey over fire. Chinatown is inspired by Incheon Chinatown and is characterized by a smooth finish.

The first round was a document review evaluating factors such as overseas market trends, originality, and identity, and the second round was a blind test in which 80 judges assessed only taste, aroma, and color.

A total of 80 judges, including 40 members of a public jury selected through an open call, liquor experts, export practitioners from major liquor companies, and influencers, evaluated with a focus on the value of ‘Korean drinks we want to introduce to the world’.

Jeon Jin-woo, CEO of GBG Spirits Co., Ltd., the producer of ‘Gyeongbokgung Soju’, which won in the soju category, said, “It is a great honor to receive such a major award, and we will continue to grow into a healthy, responsible company that pays a lot of taxes.”

The 12 winning products will carry the ‘K-Drink certification mark’ guaranteed by the National Tax Service. They will also receive support for various export channels, including display·sales at overseas local stores of major retailers and priority exhibition at international liquor fairs.