Jirisan Unbong Brewery
지리산 운봉주조
Brewery in Namwon, North Jeolla Province, near Jirisan Mountain, producing herb-infused rice makgeolli.
- Region
- Jeonbuk
- Address
- 전북 남원시 운봉읍 서천리 622번지
- Website
- www.herbsul.com/
Products (3)
Korean Makgeolli
Jirisan Heobeuipsul Rice Makgeolli
지리산 허브잎술 쌀 막걸리
Jirisan Heobeuipsul Rice Makgeolli from Jeollabuk-do is one of the most decorated herb-infused makgeolli bottles in Korea, carrying a 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition silver medal, multiple Korean Woorisool grand prizes (2011, 2014), and a 2015 Belgian competition placement. The recipe infuses domestic rice fermentation with rosemary, lavender leaf-stem extract, and turmeric — each herb contributing a distinct layer. Rosemary adds a woody, camphor-like sharpness to the nose that cuts through the usual rice-cream softness. Lavender provides a floral mid-palate lift that is subtle enough not to taste like soap, and turmeric brings a warm, earthy base note that anchors the finish. The combination makes each sip feel vivid and multidimensional compared to unadorned makgeolli. The wheat-based nuruk (gokja) adds a slightly bready fermentation character underneath. At 6% ABV, it stays sessionable despite the complexity. Pair with raw fish (hoe) where the herbal aromatics complement the clean seafood, or with vegetable jeon where the rosemary echoes the savory-green notes of the batter. It also works as a pre-dinner aperitif served very cold.
HerbalCamphor-rosemary
raw fish (hoe)Korean pancakes (jeon)
★Awards
6% ABV750ml
Korean Makgeolli
Yagwanmun Rice Makgeolli
야관문 쌀 막걸리
Yagwanmun (Lespedeza cuneata) is a wild herb native to Korean mountains, traditionally used in folk medicine for its purported vitality-boosting properties — and this Jeollabuk-do makgeolli incorporates its leaf and stem extract directly into the fermentation. The puffed rice (paenghwami) base ferments with wheat-based nuruk (gokja) and yeast, building a rounded, airy body that the yagwanmun extract then marks with a distinctive earthy-green bitterness. On the nose, dried herb and hay-like notes sit above the standard grain softness. The palate opens with familiar milky sweetness, but within seconds the herbal bitterness pushes through the mid-palate, adding a dimension that plain makgeolli simply does not have. The finish is medium-length with a dry, vegetal tail. At 6%, it is easy to drink despite the herbal assertiveness. The bottle carries serious credentials: IFFE awards including a Ministry of Agriculture commendation (2018), and a San Francisco World Spirits silver medal (2015). Pair with raw fish (hoe) where the herbal bitterness cuts through the fatty slices, or with haemul pajeon whose scallion notes harmonize with the green aromatics.
Earthy-herbalHay-like
raw fish (hoe)Korean pancakes (jeon)
★Awards
6% ABV750ml
Korean Makgeolli
Jirisan Jeongdam Fresh Rice Makgeolli
지리산 정담 생쌀 막걸리
Jirisan Unbong Brewery in Jeollabuk-do, nestled near Korea's second-highest mountain, ferments domestic rice with nuruk, jongguk (seed culture), and yeast for a makgeolli that prioritizes fermentation character over fruit or additive-driven flavor. The four-ingredient approach (rice, nuruk, jongguk, yeast) produces a wider microbial spectrum than single-starter ipguk recipes, giving the brew a subtle funkiness that is absent from cleaner commercial styles. The aroma is warm and grainy with a sour-dough whisper and dried-herb hints from the nuruk. On the palate at 6% ABV, the body is creamy yet lively, with gentle sweetness giving way to a savory grain tail and a mild yeasty tang on the finish. The Jirisan region's clean mountain-spring water contributes a soft minerality that keeps the palate fresh. Compared to city-brewed ipguk makgeolli, this tastes noticeably more rustic and terroir-driven. Serve at 6-8°C with sanchae bibimbap (mountain-vegetable bibimbap) to match the alpine character, or with memil-jeon (buckwheat pancakes) where the grain-on-grain pairing highlights fermentation nuance.
Sourdough grain warmthDried-herb nuruk whisperSavory grain tail
Korean pancakes (jeon)fried chicken
6% ABV750ml
