Agricultural corporation Andongbanga said on the 3rd that its Ginger Goyu 53 won the grand prize in the over-40% abv traditional distilled spirits category at the 2026 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards.
Marking its 13th year, the Korea Wine & Spirits Awards is Korea's flagship liquor evaluation event. With the goal of "discovering good domestic liquor, promoting it widely, and supporting the formation of a sound drinking culture," ChosunBiz has held it annually since 2014.
This year's event drew 260 companies submitting a total of 1,118 brands. It is the largest among domestic evaluation events that cover comprehensive liquor. Of these, 449 brands won the grand prize.
Agricultural corporation Andongbanga, located in Andong, North Gyeongsang, is a sixth-industry certified company that produces concentrates, candied ginger, and distilled spirits based on Andong ginger. Through patented fermentation and distillation technology, it is expanding the industrial use of ginger and aims for the co-growth of local agriculture and the traditional liquor industry.
Ginger Goyu 53, which received the grand prize this time, is a distilled spirit produced using a patented direct-ginger fermentation method. The alcohol content is 53%. By fermenting and distilling only ginger without using grains or nuruk, it maximized the raw ingredient's native aroma. It is characterized by the harmony of ginger's distinctive aroma and fruity notes.
An Andongbanga official said, "This grand prize recognizes both the quality of the ginger spirit (100% pure ginger distilled spirit) using Andong ginger and the competitiveness of the direct-ginger fermentation technology," adding, "We will grow into a K premium spirit brand while pursuing co-prosperity with local farms."