Won Spirits to release new distilled soju drink in July

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Won Spirits to release new distilled soju drink in July

Published: 29 Apr. 2022, 17:07

A promotional image for Won Soju Spirit, which will start selling in July. [WON SPIRITS]

Liquor company Won Spirits by rapper and entrepreneur Jay Park will be releasing the brand's second product in July.

The new release is called Won Soju Spirit, a distilled soju with 24 percent alcohol content. Unlike the company's first product, Won Soju, it isn't aged in onggi, traditional Korean earthenware.

The price has not yet been determined, but the company says it will be cheaper than Won Soju’s 14,900 won ($12) per bottle.

Sales will start in July on the company's website and at select stores. Under the Liquor Tax Act, generic alcoholic beverages including soju and beer can't be sold online, but Won Soju Spirit can because it is categorized as traditional liquor.

The company on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding with Wonju Nonghyup to use Toto-mi rice for Won Soju Spirit. The rice is a local variety only grown in Wonju, Gangwon, which is also used to make Won Soju. The liquor company is based in Wonju, and using a Wonju-produced rice variety allows the beverage to satisfy the criteria of traditional liquor.

Won Spirits plans to sell both the new Won Soju Spirit and Won Soju abroad as well, although a specific date has not been decided yet.

Since the brand first started selling in February, Won Soju has been flying off the shelves. It sold 20,000 bottles during its first week at a pop-up store at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido, western Seoul.

It has been exclusively selling 2,000 bottles a day through its website since March, but sales are temporarily halted due to production problems. A glitch allowed orders for 63,915 bottles to be made on April 20, so the company isn't taking orders until the second week of May as it focuses on fulfilling orders made by customers that day.

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]