The Daebatgoeul Agricultural Union's traditional Samyangju “Dam Di Original” has won an award for the second consecutive year at the 2025 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards.
The Korea Wine & Spirits Awards is South Korea's premier liquor competition, now in its 12th year. It has been held annually by ChosunBiz since 2014 with the aim of 'discovering and widely promoting quality domestic alcoholic beverages and supporting the formation of a healthy drinking culture.'
This year's event featured 236 companies showcasing a total of 1,008 brands. It is the largest scale competition in the country dealing with general liquors. Of these, 431 brands received awards.
This liquor is made using bamboo sap, which is directly harvested instead of using rice, nuruk, or water, giving it a unique taste and aroma. In particular, “Dam Di Original” is characterized by an attractive harmony of color, aroma, and flavor, offering a dense and rich taste without being heavy. The sweetness of rice and the unique flavor of bamboo sap combine to satisfy not only sake and cheongju enthusiasts but also consumers who prefer the deep taste of wine.
A representative from Daebatgoeul Agricultural Union noted, “Bamboo sap is difficult to store at room temperature and has limitations regarding the timing and method of collection, making it expensive. However, it is rich in minerals and has a high content of calcium, potassium, and magnesium.”
Daebatgoeul has been harvesting bamboo sap through a thinning process to maintain a healthy forest for over 60 years.
A representative from Daebatgoeul Agricultural Union stated, “A healthy bamboo grove absorbs more than three times the carbon dioxide compared to other species, carrying the value of good consumption that considers not only taste but also the environment.”