South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo and his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong-Il toast with the traditional liquor soju during a dinner in Seoul. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo and his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong-Il toast with the traditional liquor soju during a dinner in Seoul.
London - It’s the biggest selling spirit in the world - but the chances are you’ve never heard of it.
According to the annual list of best-selling booze by trade magazine Drinks International, the highest-selling spirit is something called soju.
A clear beverage made by distilling rice, wheat or barley, soju is the national spirit of South Korea. Typically, its alcohol content ranges from 17 percent to an eye-watering 45 percent.
One brand, Jinro Soju has sold 65 million nine-litre cases worldwide this year, three times the amount of Smirnoff vodka sold.
One reason for the drink’s spectacular success could be the so-called “Psy-effect”.
The South Korean pop star, famous for his song, Gangnam Style, is a fan, and described soju as his “best friend”.
Fans enthuse about soju’s potency and subtle sweetness. Is this why Psy dances so crazily? - Daily Mail