autumn nights, with Korean sake: 6 traditional liquors you must try

fall is a time of golden leaves and cool breezes that add depth to the season. in this season of bountiful harvests, why not celebrate with traditional spirits that have been crafted with care and time from our land? from artisanal spirits to trendy rice wine with an imaginative twist, here’s a list of our favorite fall spirits to make your fall nights extra special.

a journey through the fall of 2025

1. honest 25

park Heung-sun, Korea’s 27th Master of Food Masters, has created a modern take on the 500-year-old tradition of gayangju. This rare spirit is made with only four ingredients: clear water, rice, sun pine needles, and songsoon from Gapyeong Village in Hamyang, Gyeongnam Province, and aged for 10 years. Its deep flavor combines with the earthiness of rice and the freshness of songsoon, leaving a long aftertaste. (375ml, 20,000 won)

2. matari 08

traditional liquor brand Matari has restored ‘Wall Hyangju’, a palace liquor lost in ancient texts. Nothing is added to it except rice and Korean yeast, and only the clear top of the liquor is scooped out to capture the pure flavor of the ingredients and elegant fruity aroma. It’s a cheerful and charming liquor that pairs perfectly with Korean food. (750ml 75,000 won, 375ml 39,000 won)

3. milky Way Starry Night

this premium rice wine is a modernized version of ‘Gamhyangju’ recorded in the old cookbook <<Food Dimibang>>. it is slowly fermented with only water, rice, and homemade yeast to achieve a natural sweetness and rich fruity flavor without artificial sweeteners. it is characterized by a thick and smooth texture, like yogurt. (500ml, 20,000 won)

4. nazmakhong

the most Korean of liquors, makgeolli, meets the most British of teas, earl grey. gimpo’s Palpal Brewery’s ‘Nazmakhong’ is made with special-grade Koshihikari rice and Hefeweizen yeast to create a gelato-like texture. The fragrant earl grey flavor that lingers in the mouth shows new possibilities for makgeolli. (500ml, 18,000 won)

5. sak Black

a new style of spirits based on the deep, refined flavors of jocheong. with the addition of rice bamboo shoots, pears, and speckled honey, it has a clean mouthfeel and cool flavor despite its high ABV of 50 proof. enjoy on the rocks with ice to bring out its smooth texture and complex flavors. (370ml, 50,000 won)

6. mediterranean Pink

c Makgeolli’s seasonal “Mediterranean Pink” is like a dish of flavors. it’s a sake fermented with organic tomatoes and basil with rice, and the richness of the tomatoes, the freshness of the basil, and the sweetness of the rice combine to create a flavor experience like no other. pair it with pizza or pasta and you’ll be sure to love it. (500ml, 18,000 won)