Daemongjae 1779 from Gyochon Doga—the Choi family’s heirloom home-brew—won the Grand Prize at the 2026 Korea Liquor Awards.
The Korea Liquor Awards, organized by Chosun Biz since 2014, is the country’s leading spirits competition. Expert judges conduct blind tastings to evaluate aroma, flavor, balance, and overall craftsmanship when choosing winners.
Daemongjae 1779 is a yakju (a refined rice wine) produced in Gyochon village, Gyeongju, honoring the Choi family’s 300-year home-brewing tradition.
Gyochon Doga says it grows the glutinous rice used for the wine on the plains beneath Banwolsan in Pyeong-dong, Gyeongju, using eco-friendly farming methods. The rice is milled and managed with precision, fermented, and then aged at low temperature for about 100 days. During this time, the rice’s natural umami develops into a silky texture with fresh, fruity aromas, creating a stable, well-balanced flavor.
Every bottle is hand-blown and inspected by craftsmen, inspired by the Silla-era ju-byeong vessel. The design showcases the liquor’s clear color and features elegant curves and harmonious proportions.
Notably, Daemongjae 1779 was also served at the APEC banquet in Gyeongju, where world leaders enjoyed the drink.
Last year, another Daemongjae product, Saeng Makgeolli 12°, took the makgeolli category’s top prize. Gyochon Doga said that winning the Grand Prize two years running proves more than the success of a single product—it demonstrates competitiveness in both refined and unfiltered rice wines and affirms the brand’s identity and consistent quality.
