Solsongju

Hamyang, Gyeongnam Province · Korea. Craft Soju — Pine, rice, spruce, and spruce tea

Located in the small village of Hamyang, the Jung family has been brewing Solsongju for over 500 years — 16 generations of the same recipe. The craft has been recognized as a cultural asset by Gyeongnam Province. Park, Heung Sun, the current master brewer, makes a high-quality chungju from steamed rice, nuruk, water, pine needle and spruce, then distills and proofs it down with spruce tea — adding a second layer of subtle pine character. The result is a nuanced, pine-forward spirit that works beautifully as a gin substitute in cocktails.