Gyeongju Gyochon Doga said on the 13th that "Daemongjae 1779" won the grand prize in the yakju and cheongju general liquor institutional sector at the 2026 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards.
The Korea Wine & Spirits Awards is Korea's representative liquor evaluation event, now in its 13th year. With the goal of "discovering good domestic liquor, promoting it widely, and supporting the formation of a sound drinking culture," ChosunBiz has hosted it annually since 2014.
This year's event drew 260 companies submitting a total of 1,118 brands. It is the largest among domestic evaluations that cover comprehensive liquor. Of these, 449 brands won the grand prize.
"Daemongjae 1779" is a yakju brewed on the foundation of the 300-year home-brew culture of the Choi wealthy household in Gyochon village, Gyeongju. The main ingredient, glutinous rice, is grown using eco-friendly farming methods in the plains at the foot of Banwol Mountain in Pyeong-dong, Gyeongju. It then undergoes precise polishing, management, and fermentation before aging for about 100 days at low temperature. In this process, the unique savoriness of glutinous rice develops into a smooth texture and fresh fruit aroma, achieving overall stability and balance of flavor, the company said.
Traditional elements were also reflected in the bottle design. The bottle of "Daemongjae 1779" was inspired by a Silla-era liquor vessel and is characterized by graceful curves and stable proportions. Excessive decoration was pared back to naturally reveal the liquor's clear color, and each bottle is completed through a handcrafted process of being mouth-blown and inspected.
Gyeongju Gyochon Doga is not only carrying on tradition but also promoting the value of Korean traditional liquor to modern consumers and overseas markets. In particular, "Daemongjae 1779" added symbolism by being used as the APEC banquet liquor.