Korean Traditional DrinkVisit Brewery
Sura Maehwaju
술아 매화주
ABV15%
Volume375ml
Description
Plum blossoms (maehwa) define the aromatic personality of this 15% spirit from Gyeonggi-do, built on Yeoju glutinous rice and Korean nuruk with added spirit and the blossoms themselves. The maehwa contributes an early-spring floral character — sharper and more tart than lotus or chrysanthemum, with a faintly sour edge that recalls unripe plum fruit. The nose is immediately engaging: plum blossom, rice powder, and a background of clean alcohol. On the palate, the tartness weaves through a medium body, preventing the rice's sweetness from going flat. The midpalate carries almond-skin bitterness (a plum-family trait), and the finish is dry, floral, and moderately long. Designated a 2021 Visiting Brewery. Serve at 10-13°C with jangeo-gui (grilled freshwater eel), where the eel's rich fat and sweet tare sauce need the tart-floral cut, or with dubu-duruchigi (spicy stir-fried tofu), where the drink's almond bitterness echoes the tofu's subtle nuttiness.
Ingredients
Glutinous Rice, Nuruk, Purified Water, Distilled Alcohol, 매화꽃
Food Pairings
jangeo-gui (grilled freshwater eel)
dubu-duruchigi (spicy stir-fried tofu)
maesilcha (plum tea, as a chaser)