Jinro taps low-alcohol soju

by Joe DiStefano (Subscribe to Joe DiStefano's posts)
Posted Aug 30th 2006 4:04PM
Filed under: Asia, Trends, New Products, Spirits

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I don't know about you, but I like Korean food vibrant – popping with peppers, kimchi and fresh garlic. This sort of fare commands a commensurate libation. Specifically soju, a spirit distilled from rice combined with other grains that typically weighs in at about 25 percent alcohol.

So I was shocked to learn that Korea's soju makers are waging a battle to produce lower-octane versions. Jinro, Korea's No. 1 soju maker, recently unveiled a lower-alcohol version to cater to young people who can't handle the real thing.

Jinro's new Chamisul Fresh comes in at just under 20 percent. I just don't get it. These kids need to eat more raw oysters rolled in pork belly.

Tags: Chamisul, Chamisul Fresh, ChamisulFresh, Jinro, Korea, Korean, soju

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8-30-2006 @ 4:31PM

sg said...

that's because youve never wandered the streets of seoul between the hours of 2-5am, and havent seen men, women, youth and the old alike, sleeping outside in deep inebriated slumber. it's really a social problem, and not one to be taken lightly. i'm glad you enjoy korea food, but there's much more to the story.

and please, can i petition to have the 'far east' category removed? it smacks of orientalism.

8-30-2006 @ 6:55PM

guest1234567 said...

Shocked to see a low alcohol version of the worlds must popular alcholic beverage? In a way so am I, because if this was an American beverage, they would add sweet flavors and more alcohol to cater to young drinkers.

8-31-2006 @ 2:44AM

ShortWoman said...

I know it's not traditional, but Jinro freezes into a very nice adult-slushie kind of thing. We serve it in shot-sized cocktail glasses. Very nice on a hot day.

So thanks for the wikipedia link. I had been wondering how it is "supposed" to be served. Since I'm the only round-eyes who buys the stuff locally, the liquor store people always ask what it tastes like.

8-31-2006 @ 2:49AM

Joe D. said...

Glad you found the wikipedia link useful. I've experienced the adult Jinro slushie, but only because I left a bottle in the freezer too long. Slushy Jinro mixed with some sort of citrus would make for a wonderful drink.

8-31-2006 @ 1:19PM

jmforester said...

I have a 3/4 full bottle of Lee Gang Ju soju in my fridge. It has pear, ginger, cinnamon, and honey added. It's 22% alcohol so it's not one of the low alcohol versions, but very interesting.

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