The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp. on Aug. 8 announced the 18 winning drinks of this year's Korean Sool (Alcoholic Beverage) Competition. Shown is the grand prize winner Ido 42 by Sejong Brewing. (Sejong Brewing)

By Gil Kyuyoung

The distilled soju (clear liquor) Ido 42 is the country's top traditional alcoholic beverage this year. 

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp. (aT) on Aug. 8 announced the 18 winners of the annual Korean Sool (Alcoholic Beverage) Competition.

The ministry and aT named the winners of the Grand, Best and Excellence awards in six categories: takju (cloudy alcoholic drink) with low alcohol by volume (ABV); takju with high ABV; yakju and cheongju, or clear traditional liquor made with herbal ingredients; fruit alcohol; distilled drinks (distilled soju or regular distilled alcohol); and others including liqueur.

Of the 18 winning entries, Ido 42 won the Presidential Award. The Sejong Brewing product is made by distilling organic rice cultivated in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do Province.

The winners of the other categories were Doksuri (Eagle) Makgeolli (takju with low ABV); Haenam Chapssal (Glutinous Rice) Saeng Makgeolli (takju with high ABV); Han Yeong-seok Baeksoo Hwandongju (yakju and cheongju); Four M Rose Wine (fruit); and Honey Moon Wine (other).

A combined 395 drinks from 246 breweries and distilleries nationwide were submitted to the competition.

The government-sponsored competition since 2010 has sought to boost the quality and competitiveness of domestic alcoholic beverages. The awards ceremony is slated for November at the Korean Sool Grand Festival.

Yang Joo-pil, director-general of the ministry's Food Industry Policy Bureau, said, "We will further develop the Korean Sool Competition to allow more people to enjoy outstanding traditional liquor made from with our agricultural products, as well as reinforce the promotion of award-winning drinks."

gilkyuyoung@korea.kr