Original Sogokju

Description

Wonjosogokju from Chungcheongnam-do is built on a generous 36% glutinous rice base with just 3% nuruk — a ratio that heavily favors the grain's natural sweetness and richness over the fermentation starter's bite. At 16% ABV, the result is a rounded, almost honeyed yakju where the rice's starchy sweetness dominates the midpalate and the minimal nuruk softens into a background yeast-bread note rather than a forward funk. The texture is dense and glycerin-like, coating the glass with visible legs. The finish is warm, long, and tinged with caramelized grain — like the crust of nurungji (scorched rice). Winner of the 2018 Woorisool Excellent Award (yakcheongju). Serve at 14-16°C with soondae (blood sausage), where the drink's honeyed weight matches the pork's minerality, or with maeuntang (spicy fish soup), where the rich body absorbs the broth's chili heat.

Ingredients

Glutinous Rice, Nuruk

Tasting Notes

Awards

• ★2018 대한민국 우리술품평회 약청주 우수상

Food Pairings