2024-05-05 09:22:00
The premium liquor exhibition ‘2024 Seoul Bar & Spirit Show’ (hereinafter referred to as Seoul Bar Show) will be held at COEX Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul from today to the 5th.
The Seoul Bar Show, which celebrated its 4th anniversary this year, featured 166 liquor brands, including whiskey, cognac, rum, gin, vodka, tequila, cocktails, and traditional liquor, under the theme of ‘Born to Drink.’
Among the 241 booths of 166 participating companies, we introduce three where the waiting lines were unusually long.
Director Park Chan-wook and BTS RM’s recommended whiskey Kavalan
As Kavalan is a whiskey that has been discussed a lot among domestic lovers recently, it also received attention at the Seoul Bar Show.
Kavalan, made in a Taiwanese brewery and exported to over 70 countries, selling more than 10 million bottles per year, was imported into Korea in 2017 and made its name known to the public in earnest with the release of director Park Chan-wook’s movie ‘Decision to Break Up’ in 2022.
In the movie, Kabalan is highlighted as a drink loved by the main character, who calls himself ‘a clean-cut person with strong tastes.’ In fact, it is said to be a drink chosen by director Park Chan-wook based on his tastes.
Afterwards, BTS’s RM appeared on the first episode of fellow team member Suga’s YouTube channel and introduced it as his favorite drink, causing Cavalan’s ‘Soloist Oloroso Sherry Cask’ to become scarce not only in duty-free shops but also in Taiwan.
At this Seoul Bar Show, the booth of Golden Blue International, an importer of Kavalan, introduced ‘Highball Whiskey Soda’ based on Kavalan Classic concentrate along with other whiskeys.
On the 4th and 5th, Britney Chen, Kavalan’s global ambassador, will hold a master class to introduce the brand and provide information related to whiskey.
Origin of Korea’s first single malt whiskey
Today (3rd), there was a long line of visitors in front of the COEX Hall B event venue even before the opening time of 11 o’clock. According to officials, the line started at 9 o’clock and about 140 people were waiting. Everyone was crowding around to buy Kiwon’s limited edition whiskey.
Originating from 2020, it is Korea’s first single malt whiskey produced at the Three Society Distillery in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, and all production processes, including saccharification, fermentation, distillation, and maturation, are carried out domestically.
The limited edition whiskeys are the ‘Kiwon Seoul Basho Edition’ and the ‘Kiwon Distillery Edition’, and Kiwon sold 150 bottles on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the day.
An official said, “It took some time because the checkout line was long, but it can be said that the tickets were sold out as soon as they opened.”
The Genesis Seoul Basho Edition is an edition created to commemorate this year’s Seoul Basho and will be sold for a total of 100 bottles, 50 bottles per day for two days, and the Origin Distillery Edition will be sold for a total of 300 bottles, 100 bottles per day for three days.
Both products are single cask products that only commercialize whiskey from a single oak barrel, and at the same time, they are CS (Cask Strength) products that do not contain water, so they have a strong flavor and are first matured in bourbon casks and secondly matured in maple syrup quarter casks. It is said to have a good balance between the sweetness of vanilla and the spiciness of American oak.
Wild Türkiye 101 Rye, introduced for the second time in Korea after the United States
‘Wild Türkiye 101 Rye’ attracted attention when it was first introduced in Korea at the Seoul Bar Show.
Wild Turkey, America’s representative bourbon whiskey, has many fans in Korea and is the second company in the world to introduce a new whiskey after the United States.
Wild Turkey 101 Rye began pre-orders last month, and can be picked up starting on the 9th, so it was first introduced at this exhibition.
This whiskey is made from rye as its main ingredient, and rye whiskey is the main type with an attractive aroma of strong spices and pepper. It has recently become a whiskey trend in the United States, and domestic consumer preference is steadily increasing.
Trans Beverage, the importer of Wild Turkey, said, “Wild Turkey Russell Single Barrel and Single Barrel Rye, which are loved by domestic whiskey lovers, were sold for a limited time, and Resale Reserve 13 Year Old was also released in small quantities, leading to continued competition among consumers to purchase.”
The 3rd was a business day for business meetings between liquor and F&B industry officials, and the 4th and 5th were Mania Days that anyone could enjoy. Seoul Basho said, “As a venue for customer experience marketing that connects culture, experience, and brands, we plan to provide a variety of experiences and attractions to the MZ generation who are looking for a variety of alcoholic beverages.”
Reporter Hwang So-young, Donga.com [email protected]
2024-05-05 09:22:00