Kooksoondang presents the ‘Kooksoondang Gift Set,’ featuring a variety of traditional Korean liquors to celebrate Seollal (Lunar New Year). This year’s gift set adds special value by renewing the design of some products and offering the last quantities of limited editions.
Kooksoondang’s premium distilled liquor, Baeksego (百歲膏), was developed last year as a limited edition art edition to commemorate Kooksoondang’s 50th anniversary and Baekseju’s 30th anniversary. After brewing the base liquor, a certain quantity was bottled and released in time for holidays. The final batch is being offered this Seollal.
Baeksego features a deep flavor by blending rice distilled soju base brewed using a traditional method introduced in old literature to enhance aroma and taste, with Baekseju’s characteristics condensed and aged for five years in the form of Baekseju lees distilled base, mixed at an optimal ratio without adding water. It is contained in a ceramic vessel that embodies a work expressing hope found in the gaps of natural spaces through the five cardinal colors (Obangsaek), adding artistic value. Each Baeksego product is engraved with a serial number, making it a gift suitable for special dignity and rarity.
The ceremonial liquor ‘Yedam’ has been completely renewed in packaging and label design ahead of this year’s Seollal, adopting a modern and elegant style. Yedam is Korea’s first liquor developed exclusively for ancestral rites. Unlike Japanese-style sake brewed with added distilled alcohol, it is a pure fermented yakju made from domestic rice according to traditional rites. It has been used as the exclusive liquor for the ‘Jongmyo Daeje,’ a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and National Intangible Cultural Property, for 17 years.
The ‘Beopgochangsin Gift Set’ consists of traditional Korean liquors restored by Kooksoondang that disappeared during the Japanese colonial period and other times. It holds significance as a rare and dignified holiday gift to express gratitude to special people. It includes Songjeolju, enjoyed by Joseon Dynasty scholars; Jaju, a famous liquor since the Goryeo Dynasty; Ihwaju, enjoyed by Goryeo royalty; Sasitong-eumju, a renowned Joseon Dynasty liquor; and Cheonggamju, a clear and pure-colored Joseon Dynasty liquor.
The ‘Sweet Potato Distilled Soju Ryeo (驪) Gift Set’ is composed of products awarded at the ‘Korea Traditional Liquor Competition,’ the nation’s most prestigious government-certified liquor contest. Using only the high-quality main parts of fresh sweet potatoes harvested within seven days in the Yeoju region, famous for sweet potatoes, and brewed with Korean nuruk (fermentation starter), the liquor is aged for over a year in traditional earthenware jars. It features a sweet yet deep and subtle flavor unique to sweet potatoes, with a smooth finish and a long-lasting aftertaste.
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