The traditional liquor manufacturer Juyunhyang's distilled soju 'Yasu (野秀) R 53' received the grand award in the category of distilled spirits over 40 degrees at the 2025 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards.
The Korea Wine & Spirits Awards is the representative liquor evaluation in South Korea, celebrating its 12th year this year. It has been held annually by ChosunBiz since 2014 with the goal of 'discovering good domestic liquor, widely publicizing it, and supporting the formation of a healthy liquor culture.'
This year's event saw 236 companies submit a total of 1,008 brands. It is the largest domestic evaluation dealing with comprehensive liquors. Among these, 431 brands received the Daesang.
'Yasu R 53' is a distilled soju made by selecting ingredients from Ganghwa Island and brewing the liquor using traditional methods, followed by low-temperature fermentation for about 100 days and distillation using a pressure still.
It is characterized by a rich floral aroma and subtle fruity scents, paired with a sweetness that develops through more than a year of aging in dedicated earthenware, creating a smooth and balanced profile.
Juyunhyang noted, 'In line with the meaning of enjoying good smelling liquor, we produce five types of specialty liquor, including Korean rice wine, medicinal liquor, distilled spirits, and regular distilled spirits in the Incheon Ganghwa area.' They also stated, 'Juyunhyang, which captures nature throughout the four seasons, designs the taste and aroma of our traditional liquor.'