Sejongdaewangeoju Yakju

Description

Named for King Sejong's royal brew, this 15% yakju from Chungcheongbuk-do earned the 2019 Woorisool Grand Prize in the yakju category. The grain bill is elemental — rice, nuruk, water — but the execution pulls nuance from simplicity. The nose opens with steamed japonica rice and a trace of honeydew melon, understated and inviting. On the palate, the texture is sleek and medium-bodied, with a brief umami flash (almost dashi-like) at the midpalate before transitioning into a finish that is dry, slightly bitter like barley tea, and satisfyingly long. That savory undercurrent makes it more versatile than its sparse recipe suggests. Serve at 10-13°C with jogigu-i (grilled yellow croaker), where the fish's delicate sweetness amplifies the melon note, or with bindaetteok (mung bean pancake), where the pancake's nutty crunch meets the drink's quiet umami.

Ingredients

Rice, 누룩 정제수

Tasting Notes

Awards

• ★2019 대한민국우리술품평회 대상(약주 부문)

Food Pairings