2019Q1SpiritedVA - 9

FEATURED SPIRIT

Soju
The Korean spirit has become popular world-wide.

T

he national tipple of Korea is sometimes
called rice wine, but it's actually a spirit.
The word "soju" literally means "burned
alcoholic drink," and originally came from
Mongols, when 13th-century invading Mongol
armies showed the Koreans how to distill
spirits.
Traditionally, soju was made from grains
such as rice, wheat or barley, though today
it's also made from potatoes, tapioca and
other starches. Like vodka, pure soju does
not have much taste, but it's now common
to add sweeteners and fruit seasoning for a
more robust, complex flavor profile.
For centuries, soju was mainly a Korean
drink, but now it's produced and enjoyed
all over the world. It's become a staple of
hip urban bars in America over the past
few years. In fact, Jinro, the most popular
Korean soju, has been the world's leading
liquor brand since early in the millennium.
Soju can be enjoyed neat, over ice or in
a cocktail. Koreans generally have it with
anju, a series of small appetizers. Try one of
the following brands, or any of our others:
Sahn. Sahn is a light, refreshing soju with
a relatively low alcohol content. It's distilled
from sweet potatoes and infused with green
tea extract during distillation for a subtle-yet

potent and unexpected-flavor. This is a great
drink with a meal or served on the rocks.
Jinro Chamisul. This is a very traditional
soju made from rice and other starches. The
taste is neutral with just a hint of bitterness
so it's the perfect drink to use in a cocktail.
Jinro Chamisul pairs well with clams, shrimp,
mussels, caviar or Asian noodles. Founded
in 1924, Hite-Jinro is the world's leading
soju producer, responsible for more than
50 percent of all Korean sales. This is more
sweet and mild than the original but it's
also impeccably fresh because of a special
refinement process that uses natural bamboo
charcoal.
Chum Churum Peach. This quirky soju
infused with natural fruit juices is wildly
popular in South Korea. The peach flavor is
hearty but not overpowering. Chum Churum
is distilled from rice and tapioca and made
from pure alkaline water from the Gangwon
Province on the border of North Korea. This
is a smooth and impeccably drinkable soju.
Jinro Chamjinisulro. Ultra-refined, Jinro
Chamjinisulro is quadruple-filtered with
bamboo charcoal. It's so light and fresh that
you'll want to sip it, but it's also perfect for
mixed drinks. The flavor profile is floral and
lightly sweet with a clean finish.

-Andrew Madigan
SPIRITED VIRGINIA | JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH 2019 9
http://westcorkirish.com
2019Q1SpiritedVA

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2019Q1SpiritedVA
