Korean Fruit WineFood MasterCultural Heritage

Munbaesul

Name: Munbaesul
Brand: Munbaeju Brewery

문배술

ABV40%

Volume500ml

Description

Munbaesul is a 40% ABV spirit from Gyeonggi-do distilled from glutinous sorghum (chalsususu) and millet (mejo), two ancient grains that together produce a distinctive pear-like fruit aroma — despite containing no pear at all. This phenomenon, which gives the spirit its name ('mun' refers to the wild pear tree), arises from specific ester compounds generated during fermentation of these grains with nuruk. The lineage is extraordinary: it is linked to Korean Food Master No. 7 Lee Gichun and classified as Important Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 86-1. Munbaesul has served at multiple inter-Korean summit banquets (1990, 2000, 2007) and won gold at the 2007 Korea Traditional Liquor Awards in the distilled soju category.