KMS Imports
Driven by our love of exploration, Cream began delving into the world of sool (traditional Korean alcohol) in the early 2020s. Thanks to Zev Rovine, we were introduced to Hana Makgeolli, the Brooklyn-based producer crafting artisanal Korean rice wines. We were immediately captivated by the complexity and centuries-old traditions behind these beverages. While they parallel sake in their reverence for fermentation, they remain entirely distinct in character and cultural identity.
Our search for exceptional sool naturally led us to KMS Imports, founded by Master Sommelier Kyungmoon Kim. Dedicated exclusively to artisanal Korean beverages in the U.S. market, KMS is helping define an entirely new category for American wine and spirits professionals. Working throughout South Korea, the company partners with small, family-owned breweries and distilleries that express personality, passion, and craftsmanship. The KMS portfolio champions producers rooted in mastery, superior quality, and deep connections to tradition and place. Many of these remarkable breweries and distilleries had never been introduced to the United States prior to Kyungmoon’s efforts.
Kyungmoon’s journey to preserve and elevate Korean beverage culture began during his tenure at Jungsik in New York City, the acclaimed two-Michelin-star restaurant. There, he recognized that authentic food and beverage experiences cannot exist without their cultural foundation. As a new generation of chefs reinterpreted Korean cuisine and Korean dishes became staples in major American cities, the culinary scene flourished, yet traditional Korean beverages lagged behind. Kyungmoon set out to change that. Through KMS Imports, his mission is clear: to establish sool as a dynamic and compelling category within the American wine and spirits landscape.