Binum International's "Lockburn Pinot Noir" and "Old Sailor Coffee" won the grand award at the 2025 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards.
The Korea Wine & Spirits Awards is the country's representative liquor evaluation event, marking its 12th year this year. It has been held annually by ChosunBiz since 2014 with the goal of "discovering and widely promoting good domestic alcoholic beverages and supporting a healthy liquor culture."
This year's event featured 236 companies presenting a total of 1,008 brands. It is the largest domestic evaluation event covering a full range of alcoholic beverages. Of these, 431 brands received the Daesang.
According to Binum International, "Lockburn Pinot Noir" won the Daesang in the new world category for red wine at the Korea Wine & Spirits Awards.
This wine is produced in Central Otago, a famous Pinot Noir wine region on New Zealand's South Island. It features aromas of plum and cherry, along with rich mocha notes.
A representative from Binum International noted, "On the palate, the silky tannins and elegant finish evoke a scenic journey through New Zealand's South Island," adding that it is "a brand well-known among travelers to New Zealand and expatriates, with numerous awards. "
Another grand award winner, "Old Sailor Coffee," was inspired by a beverage consumed by Italian sailors in the early 1900s. They actually mixed coffee and rum to alleviate loneliness and hardship while fishing in distant waters. The "mustached gentleman" depicted on the product's label reflects the appearance of those sailors at the time.
A representative from Binum International stated, "Old Sailor Coffee is made with rum crafted by artisans, fresh coffee, orange peel, and cinnamon," adding, "We are traveling the world to find products that delight both the eyes and palate, and we plan to unveil exciting products not available in Korea in 2025."