The winners of the “2025 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards EXPO” were announced on the 7th.

The 2025 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards EXPO is the 12th edition of Korea’s representative liquor tasting event. It has been held annually since 2014 by ChosunBiz with the goal of “discovering and widely promoting good domestic liquor and supporting the formation of a healthy liquor culture.”

This year’s event featured a total of 1,008 brands from 236 companies. Among them, 25 brands were selected for the best of best (BoB) award in each institutional sector. Additionally, a total of 431 brands received grand awards across all institutional sectors.

At the awards ceremony held at Hangnyeoul station SETEC on the 7th, the winners of the best of best (BoB) category were announced. Notable attendees included Kim Young-soo, CEO of ChosunBiz; Song Eon-seok, Chairperson of the Strategy and Finance Committee; Seo Hyo-won, Vice Administrator of the Rural Development Administration; Kim Jeong-joo, Director of the Environment and Energy Tax Division at the Ministry of Economy and Finance; and Nam Woo-seok, Director of Export Field Support at KOTRA.

The winners of the Best of the Best (BoB), corresponding to the highest award at the 2025 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards EXPO, are taking a commemorative photo. /Courtesy of ChosunBiz

In the diluted liquor category, LOTTE Chilsung Beverage’s “Searo” won, while in the distilled liquor category, KHEE Korea’s “KHEE Soju 22%” took home the best of best award. KHEE Soju 22% is a distilled soju made from premium rice and underground water sourced from 150 meters below ground.

In the sake sector, Shirataki Seven Junmai Daiginjo 50% has won the top prize. This product is a high-quality Japanese sake that is aged at the temperature of snow collected during the winter.

In the Korean rice wine sector, Beompyo Makgeolli (7% ABV) was selected as the best of best. This product is made using only Icheon rice and is praised for its smooth taste.

Winning works by category from the 2025 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards EXPO. /Courtesy of ChosunBiz

In the Korean unrefined rice wine sector, “Oh My Gat Sparkling Spring Flower” was awarded, while in the Korean distilled liquor sector, Oak Spirit from Agricultural Corporation Vision Red won.

In the Korean wine sector, Eau de Lune’s “Wolryubong” won the top prize. This wine is made from the special Campbell grapes harvested in Chungcheongbuk-do, characterized by its rich sweetness and deep aroma.

Winning works from the 2025 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards EXPO. /Courtesy of ChosunBiz

In the beer sector, HiteJinro’s “Kelly” and OB’s “Cass Fresh” simultaneously won the general sector BoB award. In the imported sector, Diageo Korea’s “Guinness Draft” received an award. “Guinness 0.0″ also won in the non-alcoholic beer category.

Beber Brewery’s “Beber Weizen” was selected as the best of best in the craft beer sector. This beer received high marks from judges for its rich banana aroma and balanced sweetness.

In the whiskey and spirit sector, Pernod Ricard Korea’s Royal Salute 21 Years and Don Julio 1942 each took the top prize. The 21-year aged Royal Salute was praised for its deep flavor and smooth finish. Don Julio 1942 is a premium tequila with a soft dark chocolate aftertaste.

Kim Young-soo, the representative of ChosunBiz, and Miguel Pascual, the marketing director of Pernod Ricard Korea, are taking a commemorative photo after winning at the 2025 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards EXPO held on the 7th. /Courtesy of ChosunBiz

In the baekju sector, KFJ Korea’s “Ziyue Orange” and HwaGang Liquor were selected as the best of best. This baekju, made using traditional brewing methods from China, is characterized by its elegant aroma and complex flavor.

In the wine sector, Vino H’s Coto de Imaz Gran Reserva, Ayoung FBC’s Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon, NARA CELLAR’s Cantina Tramin Sauvignon, Colico’s Renmark Creek Chardonnay, Nihonshu Korea’s Bonvalet Blanc De Blanc, Hansan W&B’s Rare Tawny 25 Years, HwaGang Liquor’s Terra Vineda Merlot Rosé, and Vino Paradise’s Geschickt Le Schlouk won the top awards.

Kim Young-soo, CEO of ChosunBiz, noted, “The Korea Wine & Spirits Awards, now in its 12th year, has established itself as the definitive representative liquor tasting event in Korea,” adding, “We will continue to discover excellent domestic liquors and contribute to the development and globalization of the liquor industry.”