Ssi(C) Makgeolli Signature Kyube

Description

Ssi(C) Makgeolli Signature Kyube is a Seoul-brewed 12% bottle that borrows a winemaking mindset for a traditional Korean format. The grain bill pairs rice with nuruk and then introduces juniper berries and raisins — an unusual combination that gives the nose a light gin-botanical lift before the familiar rice creaminess takes over. On the palate, the juniper adds a dry, piney bite in the mid-section that prevents the higher ABV sweetness from feeling cloying, while the raisins contribute a dark, dried-fruit undertone that deepens the finish. The texture sits between a standard 6% makgeolli and a dessert wine: dense enough to coat the tongue but not syrupy. This style rewards slower sipping rather than quick bowl-refills. Pair it with savory-crispy haemul pajeon where the botanical edge cuts through the oil, or alongside aged kimchi whose lactic funk plays off the juniper's herbal snap. Spicy tteokbokki also works — the residual sweetness tempers the gochugaru heat while the alcohol warmth carries the finish.

Ingredients

Rice, Water, Nuruk, 노간주나무열매, 건포도

Tasting Notes

Food Pairings