{"id":786403,"date":"2026-01-23T12:54:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T12:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abnewswire.com\/pressreleases\/?p=786403"},"modified":"2026-01-23T12:54:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T12:54:02","slug":"the-worlds-best-soju-is-distilled-in-georgia-minhwa-spirits-claims-best-of-class-title-gold-medals-at-san-francisco-world-spirits-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.abnewswire.com\/pressreleases\/the-worlds-best-soju-is-distilled-in-georgia-minhwa-spirits-claims-best-of-class-title-gold-medals-at-san-francisco-world-spirits-competition_786403.html","title":{"rendered":"The World\u2019s Best Soju is Distilled in Georgia: Minhwa Spirits Claims “Best of Class” Title & Gold Medals at San Francisco World Spirits Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Winning the Best of Class Soju award at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

DORAVILLE, GA – <\/strong>Minhwa Spirits, one of the only distilleries in the United States dedicated to the traditional Korean arts of Soju and Makgeolli, has officially put the global spirits industry on notice. Following a historic year of accolades, the Doraville-based distillery has proven that world-class Korean liquor is no longer exclusive to the peninsula—it is being crafted in the heart of the American South.<\/p>\n

A Global Triumph: “Best Soju in the World”<\/strong><\/p>\n

The distillery achieved the ultimate honor at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC)<\/strong>—the “Olympics” of the liquor world. Their flagship Yong Soju<\/strong> was awarded Best of Class Soju<\/strong>, a title that effectively crowns it the Best Soju in the World<\/strong>. Competing in a blind taste test against heritage brands from Korea and major international conglomerates, Minhwa’s small-batch, grain-to-glass approach reigned supreme.<\/p>\n

In a display of technical versatility, Minhwa also secured a Gold Medal<\/strong> for their Queen Huh Gin<\/strong>, proving their mastery of botanical distillation alongside traditional Korean spirits.<\/p>\n

The Soul of Sohn-maht: Authentic Makgeolli & Soju<\/strong><\/p>\n

Minhwa Spirits occupies a rare niche in the American craft beverage landscape. While mass-market “green bottle” soju is a staple of nightlife, Minhwa is a pioneer in the U.S. production of Makgeolli<\/strong> (unfiltered rice wine) and artisanal Soju <\/strong>made with nuruk<\/em> (traditional fermentation starters).<\/p>\n

“We are doing something very few people in the U.S. are doing,”<\/em> says James Kim<\/strong>, Co-founder of Minhwa Spirits. “Authentic Makgeolli and Soju require a level of patience and respect for history that mass production can’t replicate. Winning Best of Class in San Francisco validates that our Georgia-grown ingredients and Korean traditions can compete on the world stage.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Local Legends: Eater Atlanta & Rough Draft Honors<\/strong><\/p>\n

While global judges praised the liquid, Atlanta praised the culture. The distillery’s tasting room, Jumak<\/strong>, has become a North Georgia cultural phenomenon, blending “cool friend’s living room” energy with high-end mixology.<\/p>\n