18 Traditional Korean Alcoholic Beverages of the Most Excellent Quality for 2025

Sejong, 8 August 2025 — On 4 August, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) announced 18 winners at the 2025 K-Sool Award, the government-hosted contest held since 2010 to select and award Korea’s traditional alcoholic beverages of the most excellent quality. The 2025 K-Sool Award was held from 23 June to 25 July 2025. 

The contest was divided into six categories and received a total of 402 entries from 246 breweries, distilleries, and wineries across the country. To ensure selection of traditional alcoholic drinks of the most excellent quality, a panel of judges consisting of alcoholic beverage connoisseurs and civilians evaluated the entries against strict criteria. As a result, the grand, the highest excellence, and excellence awards were bestowed on three entries from each category (a total of 18 winners from six categories).

* The six categories are (a) low-alcohol “takju” (unrefined rice wine), (b) high-alcohol “takju,” (c) “yakju” and “Cheongju” (refined rice wine), (d) fruit wine, (e) spirits (distilled “soju” and standard distilled alcoholic beverages), and (f) others (other alcoholic beverages and liqueurs). 

Among the grand award winners in the six categories, the presidential award went to Cheonbihyang Yakju (천비향 약주 15도), a refined rice wine (“yakju”) produced from “nuruk” (a fermentation starter) and rice through a method of producing “oyangju.” “Oyangju” means a traditional Korean alcoholic beverage produced through five stages of fermentation processes. The presidential award was given to Cheonbihyang Yakju in recognition of its outstanding taste and the producer (Joeunsool Brewery)’s constant effort to improve its quality.

Grand award winners of the six categories are as follows: (a) Tiger Citron Draft Makgeolli (low-alcohol “takju”) made by BHD Brewery (배혜정도가: 호랑이 유자 생막걸리), (b) EunHwasoo 12 (high-alcohol “takju”) made by Bal-Hyo Gongbang 1991 (발효공방 1991: 은하수별헤는밤), (c) Miratto Shine Muscat White Sparkling (fruit wine) made by Geumgyong Nong san (금용농산: 미르아토 샤인머스켓 화이트 스파클링), (d) GAMUCHI SOJU 25% made by Agric. Corp DANONG BIO (다농바이오: 가무치 소주 25도), and (e) Honeymoon (other drinks) of Ivy Agricultural Cooperative Corporation (아이비영농조합법인: 허니문).

Information about the winners at the 2025 K-Sool Award and the sellers can be found on the website of thesool.com (더술닷컴).

The award ceremony will be held in connection with the opening ceremony of Korean Sool Grand Festival 2025, the biggest traditional Korean alcoholic beverage festival, scheduled to be held from 14 to 16 November.