Hansan Sogokju Brewery

Hansan Sogokju

한산소곡주

Hansan Sogokju is an 18% ABV brew from Hansansogokju Brewery in Chungcheongnam-do, one of Korea's most storied traditional spirits. Made with glutinous and non-glutinous rice, it carries designation as Chungcheongnam-do Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 3, is produced by Traditional Food Master No. 19 Woo Hee-yeol, won the 2001 Korean Traditional Food Grand Prize, and received a 2007 Presidential Commendation. The dual-rice approach creates a body that is dense and honey-like yet structured enough to stay composed at 18%. The nose is concentrated: caramelized grain, dried jujube, and a warm yeast note. On the palate, the sweetness is generous but the non-glutinous rice prevents it from becoming one-dimensional, adding a dry backbone that keeps the palate refreshed. The finish is long and warming, with a nurungji-like scorched grain echo. Serve at 14-16°C alongside samhap (fermented skate, kimchi, pork wraps) where the drink's strength and sweetness manage the triple intensity, or with jeon where the rich body matches the oily textures.

Korean pancakes (jeon)raw fish (hoe)

★Awards

18% ABV700ml

Bulsogokju

불소곡주

Bulsogokju is a 43% ABV spirit from Chungcheongnam-do, distilled from a blend of glutinous and non-glutinous Korean rice. Despite its considerable strength, the palate is remarkably smooth, with grain-derived sweetness giving way to a warm, lingering finish that never turns harsh. The recipe is overseen by Food Master No. 19, Woo Hee-yeol, whose precision earned the brewery a 2014 Visit Korean Brewery designation. International recognition at IWSC (bronze) and Monde Selection (gold) confirms that Bulsogokju holds its own against global distillates.

Korean pancakes (jeon)raw fish (hoe)

★Awards

43% ABV700ml

Baeksong

백송

Baeksong is a 16% ABV traditional spirit from Chungcheongnam-do's Hansansogokju Brewery, one of the region's most historically significant producers. The grain bill mirrors that of the brewery's higher-proof Bul Soju — domestic non-glutinous rice, glutinous rice, and wheat nuruk — but at a gentler strength that emphasizes food friendliness over sipping intensity. The result is a calm, balanced pour where soft grain sweetness and subtle nuruk savory notes coexist without competition. At 16%, Baeksong lands in a versatile drinking zone: strong enough to carry flavor through a rich spread of banchan and grilled dishes, yet gentle enough for extended communal dining.

16% ABV500ml

Baeksong — Korean Traditional Drink, from Chungcheongnam, 16%

Bul Soju

불소주

Bul Soju (Fire Soju) is a 41% ABV distilled soju from Chungcheongnam-do's Hansansogokju Brewery, sharing its grain bill with the brewery's gentler Baeksong but delivering a dramatically different drinking experience. Domestic non-glutinous rice and glutinous rice form a firm, structured core, while wheat-based nuruk contributes savory grain depth beneath the clean attack. The result is a spirit where power and precision coexist: each sip opens with clarity and closes with a rounded, grain-sweet warmth. The Hansansogokju lineage, one of Chungnam's most respected traditional brewing houses, lends additional significance to this high-proof expression.

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41% ABV500ml

Bul Soju — Korean Soju, from Chungcheongnam, 41%

Ilobaek White

일오백화이트

Ilobaek White is an 18% ABV traditional brew from Chungcheongnam-do, produced by Hansansogokju Brewery using domestic glutinous rice and white rice with wheat-based nuruk. What sets it apart is the addition of wild chrysanthemum, fermented soybean (meju), ginger, and red pepper, which together create a savory aromatic profile uncommon in this alcohol range. The grain base keeps the mouthfeel smooth and approachable, while the botanical additions layer subtle spice and herbal complexity beneath the surface sweetness. At 700ml, it is a generous bottle suited for extended Korean meals with multiple banchan dishes and grilled meats.

18% ABV700ml

Ilobaek White — Korean Traditional Drink, from Chungcheongnam, 18%

Ilobaek Gold

일오백골드

Ilobaek Gold is a 43% ABV distilled soju from Chungcheongnam-do, produced by the Hansansogokju Brewery with domestic glutinous rice and white rice as the distillation base. Honey, wild chrysanthemum, fresh rehmannia root, fermented soybean, and red pepper are added to create a bouquet that balances floral sweetness with savory herbal depth. Despite the high proof, the distillation process keeps the spirit remarkably clean, and the honey contributes warmth rather than cloying sweetness. This is a sipping spirit that rewards attention, revealing new aromatic facets when paired with rich meats or fatty cuts of sashimi.

HoneyClean

43% ABV700ml

Ilobaek Blue Soju

일오백블루

Ilobaek Blue is a 43% ABV distilled soju from Chungcheongnam-do, sharing the same Hansansogokju Brewery pedigree and base ingredients as Ilobaek Gold but with the addition of ginger. This extra botanical sharpens the aromatic profile, adding a warm spice note that cuts through the honeyed sweetness. The full botanical roster includes honey, wild chrysanthemum, fresh rehmannia, fermented soybean, ginger, and red pepper over a glutinous rice and white rice distillate. The ginger's presence is most evident in the mid-palate and finish, where it contributes a focused warmth that pairs particularly well with galbi and bossam.

HoneyClean

43% ABV700ml

Ilobaek Blue Soju — Korean Soju, from Chungcheongnam, 43%

Hansan Sogokju Fresh

한산소곡주 생주

Hansan Sogokju Fresh is a 16% ABV fresh-style traditional brew from Chungcheongnam-do, produced by the Hansansogokju Brewery with roots in one of Korea's most historically significant brewing traditions. The recipe combines non-glutinous rice, glutinous rice, and domestic wheat-based nuruk, creating a layered grain complexity that static, pasteurized versions cannot fully replicate. Offered unpasteurized, the texture feels notably lively and rounded, with active fermentation character adding dimensionality to each sip. The flavor lands smooth and balanced, making it a natural companion for banchan-heavy Korean meals and grilled meats where it enriches the food without excess sweetness.

16% ABV750ml

Cheonsangmun

천상문

Cheonsangmun is an 18% ABV traditional brew from Chungcheongnam-do with one of the most unusual ingredient lists in Korean brewing: glutinous rice, non-glutinous rice, and nuruk form the base, while wild chrysanthemum (deulgukwha), meju soybeans, ginger, and red chili provide a strikingly savory, spicy, and floral overlay. This combination produces a flavor profile that is genuinely multi-directional — savory umami from the meju, warm spice from ginger and chili, and delicate floral lift from chrysanthemum all coexist in a single bottle. At 500ml and 18%, it occupies a space between table wine and fortified wine, demanding attention and rewarding curiosity.

18% ABV500ml

Cheonsangmun — Korean Traditional Drink, from Chungcheongnam, 18%

Oak Blue

오크블루

A high-proof expression from Chungcheongnam-do, Okeubeulru is distilled from non-glutinous rice and nuruk, then shaped into a remarkably clean 43% profile. The first sip is firm, but the texture settles into surprising smoothness with a dry, precise finish. Pair it with galbi, bossam, or sashimi where clarity matters.

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