One Spirits Launches 'Wonsoju' in the US Market... Trademark Registered in Europe as Well

One Spirits Co., Ltd. announced on the 2nd that Wonsoju, Wonsoju Spirit, and Wonsoju Classic have completed the import approval process in the United States and will enter the U.S. market starting with New York in the first half of this year.

One Spirits plans to introduce Wonsoju in the U.S. beginning with New York in the first half of the year. They are designating this year as the "first year of export" and are launching an overseas market expansion. Discussions are underway for exports to China, Japan, Mongolia, Vietnam, and Singapore, and trademark registrations have been completed in the United Kingdom, European Union (EU), Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand.

One Spirits aims not merely to sell through distribution channels in overseas markets but to showcase Wonsoju products through channels that can communicate with actual target audiences in accordance with each country's unique culture.

In February of last year, One Spirits launched premium soju Wonsoju, followed by Wonsoju Spirit and Wonsoju Classic, with the goal of promoting the excellence of Korean distilled soju not only domestically but globally, and to globalize soju.

Wonsoju is a premium distilled soju made from 100% domestically grown rice with no additives, characterized by a clean and smooth taste and flavor achieved through vacuum distillation. In particular, it offers an even smoother taste by aging in earthenware jars handcrafted by artisans. The alcohol content is 22%.

Wonsoju Spirit delivers the clean taste and flavor unique to distilled spirits before the aging process. It has an alcohol content of 24%. The subsequently released Wonsoju Classic is made using Totomi, a pristine rice from Gangwon Province, nuruk (traditional fermentation starter), and yeast extracted from nuruk, resulting in a product with rich aroma and deep flavor. It is distilled using the traditional atmospheric distillation method, boasting diverse scents and deep taste, and represents the essence of traditional liquor.

Since their launch, these three products have sparked open runs and sold-out streaks, revitalizing the domestic premium distilled soju market. According to GS Retail, a major sales channel for Wonsoju, as of the 17th, Wonsoju Spirit, introduced in July last year at convenience store GS25, surpassed 4 million cumulative bottles sold by the 15th of this month. It also ranked 7th in sales among all GS25 products last year. Consequently, sales of distilled spirits (premium soju) at GS25 grew approximately sevenfold (672%) compared to the same period the previous year.

Park Jaebeom, CEO of One Spirits, said, “Wonsoju was born as a brand to globalize soju from its launch, and we are pleased to start exports just one year after its release. As we begin exporting representing the Republic of Korea, we will do our best to widely promote the charm of our liquor.”