Samhae Soju-ga Brewery (375 ml) Soju, Seoul (90 proof)

Item Number: 20707

UPC: None

Country: South Korea
Region: Seoul
Sub Region: Seoul
Estate Grown Wine: No
Grape(s): Rice / Nuruk / Water
Type: Spirits - Soju
Bottle Size: 375 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Screw Cap
Alc by Vol(%): 45

Samhae Soju is designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Seoul, and it is one of the greatest examples of true soju. The base brewing process, which takes 108 days, contributes complexity with layers of flavors. Old traditional single distillation retains all the complex flavors.

The name Samhae comes directly from its unusual production method and brewing calendar. “Sam” means three, referring to its three-stage brewing process, while “hae” refers to the pig in the traditional zodiac calendar. Together, the name reflects a process in which three successive brews are traditionally begun on Days of the Pig.

Samhae begins simply, with rice, nuruk, and water fermented in a traditional clay vessel. What makes it extraordinary is time. Rather than completing the fermentation in a single stage, the brew is built through three additions approximately 36 days apart, each corresponding with the first Day of the Pig of each month.

Historically, the timing carried symbolic significance. According to traditional belief, the pig was associated with particularly clear blood and brewing on a Day of the Pig was thought to encourage an equally pure and crystal-clear sool. Similarly, sauces such as soy sauce and soybean paste are made on the Day of the Horse because horses have thick blood, hence the belief that sauce will be as thick and well mixed. Whether the calendar itself has any effect on the finished drink is beside the point: adhering to it creates an exceptionally long fermentation that allows layers of flavor, depth, and complexity to develop naturally. Today, Hyun-jong Kim is one of the only known distillers to produce sool according to this traditional zodiac calendar.

Once fermentation is complete, the clear liquid (yakju) is drawn off and distilled to produce Samhae Soju. The base sool is distilled in traditional pot still to 45% abv. without dilution of water which requires careful and meticulous distillation.