Yongdusan Joeun Brewery
용두산조은술(영)
Yongdusan Joeun Brewery is a North Chungcheong Province distillery in Jecheon, crafting traditional liquors including Geumhwi and Pine & Crane.
- Region
- Chungcheongbuk
- Address
- 충북 제천시 송학면 송한리 477-3번지
Products (2)
Korean Cheongju
Geumhwi
금휘
Geumhwi is a 35% ABV spirit from Chungcheongbuk-do that combines Korean rice with astragalus root (hwanggi) and gold-nano-treated water, creating a profile that balances herbal subtlety with mineral precision. The astragalus root — a staple of Korean herbal medicine known for its gentle, warming character — does not dominate but rather adds a quiet medicinal layer beneath the rice. The gold-nano water is an unusual production choice that the brewery credits with enhancing smoothness. The nose is clean and restrained: rice distillate clarity leads, with a subtle herbal sweetness reminiscent of dried astragalus slices — not sharp or vegetal but gently warming and faintly honeyed. A mineral brightness sits underneath. On the palate, the body is medium-lean with a notably smooth, almost glossy texture. The rice character is clean and dry, while the astragalus adds a slow-building herbal warmth and a delicate bitter-sweet quality that appears more in the aftertaste than the main palate. The mineral component from the treated water contributes a crisp, almost effervescent quality. The finish is moderate and refined, with astragalus warmth lingering beneath a clean, mineral close. The 2013 Korea Sool Awards Excellence Prize confirms its quality. At 500ml, serve at room temperature alongside raw fish, hanjeongsik, or grilled fish where the herbal subtlety enhances without intruding.
CleanSmooth
raw fish (hoe)Korean full course (hanjeongsik)
★Awards
35% ABV500ml
Korean Cheongju
Pine and Crane
소나무와 학
Sonamuwa Hak is a 43% ABV spirit from Chungcheongbuk-do that pairs Korean rice with astragalus root (hwanggi), creating a high-proof bottle where herbal warmth and grain clarity find measured balance. The repeated recognition at the Korea Sool Awards across 2011, 2012, and 2016 reflects not a single achievement but an enduring standard. The nose opens with clean, toasted rice grain and a gradual emergence of astragalus — warm, gently sweet, and earthy without being heavy. The herbal character smells like dried root slices steeped in warm water: comforting, grounded, traditional. On the palate, the body is medium-full with a dry, structured texture. The rice provides a firm, mineral-edged backbone while the astragalus adds its characteristic warm sweetness and a gentle bitter undertone that prevents the spirit from feeling flat. The two elements are in quiet dialogue rather than competition — the rice offers clarity and the astragalus offers warmth, and together they create a profile that feels composed and intentional. The finish is long and drying, with astragalus warmth persisting beneath a clean mineral close. At 700ml, serve neat at room temperature alongside grilled fish where the herbal warmth matches char, or with a full hanjeongsik spread where the spirit's measured complexity can respond to varied flavors across courses.
CleanSmooth
raw fish (hoe)Korean full course (hanjeongsik)
★Awards
43% ABV700ml
