What Do the Award-Winning Entries of the 2022 Woorisul Tasting Event Really Taste Like?

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What Do the Award-Winning Entries of the 2022 Woorisul Competition Taste Like?

Every year, there is an event called the ‘Woorisul Competition.’ It is a nationally certified liquor competition organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation to select and award excellent products that enhance the quality and competitiveness of Korean traditional liquors. Since its inception in 2010, the Korea Woorisul Competition selects a total of 15 winners across five categories (Takju, Yakju, Cheongju, Distilled Liquor, Fruit Wine, and Other Liquors), awarding three prizes per category: Grand Prize, Excellence Award, and Merit Award. Among the Grand Prize winners in each category, one is chosen to receive the Presidential Award. Curious about how the liquors selected at the ‘Woorisul Competition’ actually taste, I purchased six types, tasted them myself, and compiled my personal opinions. First, I opened three bottle caps.

Grand Prize in Distilled Liquor - Kooksoondang Ryeo (40%)

The first to try was the distilled liquor ‘Ryeo,’ made solely from sweet potatoes. ‘Ryeo’ comes in two versions mixed with rice and sweet potatoes (25%, 40%) and two versions made only from sweet potatoes (25%, 40%).

The scent upon opening the bottle is really pleasant. It smells somewhat like the purple fragrance suggested by the packaging. However, the alcohol content is a bit high for savoring slowly in the mouth, making it feel strong, and it tasted better when taken lightly. Especially for this type of distilled liquor, which can sometimes feel greasy, ‘Ryeo’ instead has a clean and light impression, which I personally found satisfying. It might be best enjoyed with mild-flavored dishes rather than heavily seasoned foods to fully appreciate its flavor.

Excellence Award in Takju - Jungwondang Boeunju (10%)

When I first tasted Boeunju, I felt ‘betrayed by my expectations.’ The cute packaging and milky Makgeolli suggested a soft and sweet flavor. However, with an alcohol content of 10%, the alcohol aroma was stronger than expected. Nevertheless, the unique umami and rich flavor of Makgeolli mean that pairing it with seasoned dishes would likely enhance the taste.

Presidential Award - Jungwondang Cheongmyeongju (17%)

Cheongmyeongju was selected as this year’s best liquor. It was also designated as a Chuseok gift set by the Blue House last year and remained popular this year. Cheongmyeongju comes in two versions, 17% and 14.5%, and the one introduced here is the 17% version. The impression when drinking Cheongmyeongju is that both sourness and sweetness arise simultaneously. It is attractive because it has both acidity and sweetness while maintaining a relatively high alcohol content. Moreover, the throat feel is smooth rather than harsh, and after drinking, a slightly sweet aftertaste lingers pleasantly, encouraging another sip. It seems to pair well with light Korean and Japanese cuisine.

Photo by Seo Jeongjun