Is Soju Made by LG After 29 Years Safe to Drink?

"Soju Aged 29 Years, Expected to Have a Smooth Taste"

On the 13th, as the LG Twins clinched the Korean Series (KS) championship, the 'Awamori Soju' that had been sealed for 29 years finally saw the light of day. Awamori Soju is the celebratory drink personally prepared 29 years ago by the late Koo Bon-moo, the former chairman of LG Group.

Back in 1994, after the Okinawa training camp, former Chairman Koo toasted with the local specialty Awamori Soju and savored the taste of victory. Before the 1995 season, he reportedly prepared the same soju again, saying, "If we win again, let's toast with this soju." But is it really okay to drink soju that has aged for over 30 years?

A jar filled with Japanese Awamori soju and a group photo from a team social event during Chairman Koo Bon-moo's era, when the team was invited to his maternal home in Jinju, Gyeongnam for a gathering.
[Photo by LG Twins]

According to Chosun.com on the 14th, experts stated that due to the characteristics of Awamori Soju, there is absolutely no problem drinking it even after long-term storage. Awamori Soju varies in alcohol content from 20 to 80 degrees, with many sojus having a high alcohol content of over 25 degrees. The price of long-aged Awamori Soju rises, and some are known to be over 100 years old.

Ultimately, the high alcohol content of Awamori Soju creates an environment where bacteria find it difficult to survive, reducing the likelihood of the liquor spoiling. Ryu Chung-ho, an emeritus professor in the Department of Food Engineering at Gyeongsang National University, specializing in brewing engineering, told Chosun.com on the 14th, "Whiskeys with high alcohol content become less harsh and smoother after 30 years, don't they? The Awamori Soju in question has likely developed an even smoother taste after 29 years of aging."

However, the aroma may have slightly changed depending on the storage method. According to an LG baseball team official, the initially purchased soju was in three containers but was combined into one 4L jar a few years ago.

When moving the soju stored in the LG team office at Jamsil Stadium to Icheon, they realized that some of the liquor had evaporated, leaving the jar quite empty. Currently, about three-quarters of the soju remains in the jar, and in preparation for any shortage as a celebratory drink, two more containers were purchased before the Korean Series.

Professor Ryu expressed regret, saying, "It is not a good method to store liquor once it has been opened. It would have been better if it was stored filled tightly in bottles, but if there is space in the jar, oxidation reactions can occur due to the air, slightly changing the aroma of the liquor." However, he added, "There is no problem with drinking it," and said, "If I were nearby, I would like to taste it myself."

LG's Oh Ji-hwan, who was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the Korean Series, is celebrating.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, on the 13th, a Rolex watch that former Chairman Koo bought during an overseas business trip in 1998, instructing that it be awarded to the Korean Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) if the team won, finally found its owner after 25 years.

The Korean Series MVP was selected as team captain Oh Ji-hwan, but he said, "I consider that watch a relic of the former chairman," and added, "I will first give it to Chairman Koo Kwang-mo. I hope the Rolex watch will be displayed so many people can see it."