Jinro Strawberry Soju

Soju is not supposed to be sophisticated. It's for Koreans to drink after work with fatty meals to mask the flavors, meant to be accessible and cheap for everyone. The flavored versions are known for being easy to drink and low in quality. Yet, this strawberry Soju hits the mark. At 13% ABV, it's not overpowering, and the artificial strawberry taste is quite believable. It's both tart and sweet, like a ripe summer strawberry, with almost no alcohol burn. I could finish this whole bottle quickly and get a buzz without feeling ill. It would be great for takeout ramen or drinking games with companions. There's not much to this spirit, but for the price of around $4 for an imported bottle, it doesn't need more. It's enjoyable, fun, and just strong enough. What more could you want??

Crafted in South Korea from grain, potato, and sweet potato, this Soju also contains a natural sweetener from Finland. It's refined using bamboo charcoal before bottling at 13% ABV. It begins delicately with notes of fruit, grain, and starch, then offers strawberry notes during its fresh life, concluding with a quick and crisp finish. January 2023

At NYC in 2021.