Japanese Shochu and Awamori
Awards, Research
National Research Institute of Brewing and JSS Hold 49th Honkaku Shochu and Awamori Contest
The 49th Honkaku Shochu and Awamori Contest drew 158 entries from 66 makers across 23 prefectures, with the National Research Institute of Brewing and JSS running chemical and sensory tests. The event, held June 2-3, 2026, tracks quality trends in Japan's traditional spirits. via National Research Institute of Brewing
Awards, Production
Chuko Awamori Distillery Co. Wins IWSC's 2025 Shochu Producer Trophy
Chuko Awamori Distillery Co. has been named the IWSC 2025 Shochu Producer Trophy winner, a nod to its dedication to Okinawa's 600-year-old spirit. The distillery blends tradition with innovation, using techniques like the Four-Day Koji Method and 'Okoge' charring. via IWSC
Awards
Shochu-taisho names Kuranookimiyage top rice-shochu winner
Mokuba Shuzo's Kuranookimiyage rice shochu took top honors in the rice-shochu category at the fifth Shochu-taisho awards in Tokyo on July 22, 2026. The producer also snagged an Excellence Award for Yakushima Daishizenrin Mugi in the barley-shochu category, with 119 specialist retailers nominating 223 products. via PR TIMES
Image via PR TIMES
Chuko Shuzo wins ISC 2026 Double Gold for Tsuki no Joryusho awamori
Chuko Shuzo's Tsuki no Joryusho awamori earned a Double Gold at the International Spirits Challenge 2026, its second consecutive win. The Okinawan spirit is made with traditional jar fermentation and pot distillation, keeping the island's heritage alive. via PR TIMES
New Product
Sakuranomine Shuzo launches HEISEI craft shochu series
Miyazaki's Sakuranomine Shuzo launched its HEISEI craft shochu series on July 17, 2026, targeting drinkers born in the Heisei era. The series blends traditional jar production with a modern concept, aiming to bridge the gap between the shochu industry and younger consumers. via PR TIMES
Image via PR TIMES
Korean Sool
New Product, Awards
Geumbok ju Relaunches Cham Soju with Reduced Alcohol Content and Monde Selection Gold Award
Daegu's Geumbok ju has given Cham Soju a fresh start, dropping the alcohol to 15.5 percent and picking up a gold at the 2026 Monde Selection. The relaunch is rolling out nationwide, bringing a smoother, award-winning soju to shelves. via The Herald Business
Image via The Herald Business
Export, Market
Sangsunjoo Makgeolli Enters Singapore Market via 'Sool Cellar' Online Platform
Sangsunjoo, the traditional liquor maker from Sangju City, has cracked the Singapore market through 'Korean Food&Sool Week 2026' and a supply deal with online retailer 'Sool Cellar'. It's a big step for the brand and a boost for local agricultural exports. via The Asia Business Daily
Production, Export
North Gyeongsang Province Completes 'Soju Story' Distillery, South Korea's Largest Distilled Soju Facility
North Gyeongsang Province has finished 'Soju Story', South Korea's biggest distilled soju facility, in Andong. A 12 billion won partnership with Nara Cellar, the distillery can pump out 600,000 liters a year and aims to put Andong soju on the global map. via The Herald Business
Image via The Herald Business
Awards, Production
Chilbaekjujo's 'ChamCham' Makgeolli Wins Grand Prize at 2026 Korea Liquor Awards
Chilbaekjujo's 'ChamCham' makgeolli took the grand prize in the traditional rice wine category at the 2026 Korea Liquor Awards. Made with GAP-certified ingredients and the old o-yangju infusion method, it ferments for over 60 days to get that unpasteurized character. via en.tenbizt.com
Image via en.tenbizt.com
Awards, Export
Palpal Brewery's 'Hard Potion' and 'Apgujeong Makgeolli Won' Win Grand Prizes at 2026 Korea Liquor Awards
Palpal Brewery swept two grand prizes in the takju category at the 2026 Korea Liquor Awards for 'Hard Potion' and 'Apgujeong Makgeolli Won'. The wins are fueling plans to push into premium domestic channels and overseas markets, including Japan. via en.tenbizt.com
Image via en.tenbizt.com
Regulation, Culture
MAFRA Designates Five New Premier Traditional Alcoholic Beverage Producers for 2026
MAFRA and aT have named five new traditional alcoholic beverage producers as premier establishments for 2026 under the 'Visiting Traditional Alcoholic Beverage Producers' program. The designation came after a thorough evaluation of 20 candidates, highlighting the best in Korean brewing culture. via mafra.go.kr
Market, New Product
Sunyang Soju Launches 990-Won 'Good Soju' to Support Neighborhood Supermarkets
Sunyang Soju is backing neighborhood supermarkets with 'Good Soju 990', a 990-won bottle supplied exclusively through a partnership with SEMAS and KVC. The 16 percent ABV soju uses an 'oxygen aging method' for a smoother finish, with 9.9 million bottles hitting stores. via Seoul Economic Daily
Image via Seoul Economic Daily
Culture
Kyochon's Fermentation Workshop 1991 Nominated for Korea Landmark Award
Kyochon's 'Fermentation Workshop 1991' has been nominated in two categories for the 'Korea Landmark Discovery 100x100 Project'. The restored brewery makes premium makgeolli like 'Eunhasu Byeolheneunbam', which previously won a grand prize and was served at the 2025 APEC Summit. via The Herald Business
Image via The Herald Business
Production
Smart brewery launches Dohang Cheongmyeongju yakju in South Korea
Han Young-seok's Fermentation Research Institute has opened a smart brewery in Jeongeup, launching Dohang Cheongmyeongju yakju made with local rice, traditional nuruk, and water. The facility uses AI fermentation systems and controlled conditions to reduce seasonal variation, with a monthly capacity of 24 tonnes of yakju and cheongju and 15 tonnes of makgeolli.
via Newspim
Image via Newspim