Sunhyangju

Description

Sunhyangju is a 15% ABV yakcheongju from Gyeonggi-do that won the Excellence Award at the 2020 Korea Traditional Liquor Quality Contest, and the award feels earned rather than ceremonial. The grain bill is spartan — rice, nuruk, water — but the fermentation coaxes out a fragrance of ripe Asian pear and dried jujube that elevates a simple recipe into something layered. On the palate, there is a gentle oiliness that coats the tongue without heaviness, followed by a mid-palate note of roasted chestnut and a finish that fades slowly with a hint of warm rice straw. The clarity is remarkable; hold it to light and it gleams pale gold. Pair it at 10-13°C with gwangeo-hoe (raw halibut), where the fish's firm texture mirrors the drink's restrained precision, or with doenjang-guk (soybean paste soup), whose fermented depth resonates with the nuruk backbone.

Ingredients

Rice, Nuruk, Purified Water

Tasting Notes

Awards

• ★2020 대한민국 우리술품평회 약청주 우수상

Food Pairings