Maximo 40

Description

Maksimo 40 is a 40% ABV omija (Schisandra chinensis) spirit from Gyeongsangbuk-do, built from domestic omija distillate blended with omija extract and purified water. Omija, literally meaning five-flavor berry, is one of the most complex natural ingredients in Korean gastronomy — delivering sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent sensations simultaneously. Concentrating this into a 40% distillate produces a spirit with an aromatic intensity that few grain-based sojus can match. The nose is immediately striking — bright red berry, dried rose hip, a sharp citrus-like tartness, and a warm, almost medicinal herbal depth that signals the fruit's complexity. On the palate, the body is medium with a lively, textured mouthfeel. The five-flavor interplay is genuinely present: an initial sweet-sour burst, followed by a bitter-pungent mid-palate that adds grip, and a faint mineral salinity that threads through the background. The distillate provides structure while the extract preserves the fruit's fresh aromatic identity. The finish is long and multidimensional, with persistent berry tartness, warm spice, and a clean herbal tail. The 500ml bottle is generous for a specialty spirit. Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature, alongside Korean herbal cuisine, with cheese plates where the tartness cuts richness, or as a digestif after heavy meals where the five-flavor complexity aids palate reset.

Ingredients

국내산 오미자 증류원액, 국내산 오미자 원액, Purified Water

Tasting Notes

Awards

• ★2017 대한민국 우리술품평회 증류주 우수상

Food Pairings