Naechon Brewery

Nomi

노미

Nomi is an 18% ABV cheongju from Naechon Brewery in Gyeonggi-do, brewed with Korean glutinous and non-glutinous rice. The dual-rice approach at this higher ABV creates a profile with both plushness and backbone — the glutinous rice provides a rounded, honeyed sweetness while the non-glutinous rice ensures the drink does not collapse into softness. The nose opens with steamed rice, dried fig, and a faint caramel note from the higher-proof fermentation. On the palate, the body is medium-full with a satiny texture, and the midpalate carries a warm grain sweetness that transitions into a dry, gently bitter finish — like the aftertaste of well-toasted rice. Winner of the 2010 Korea Traditional Liquor Awards Grand Excellence in the yakju/cheongju category. Serve at 13-16°C alongside hanjeongsik where the structure matches the formality, or with jogigu-i (grilled yellow croaker) where the fish's delicate sweetness mirrors the grain's honeyed note.