Warm Root Agricultural Corporation, a company based in Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang, said on the 21st that its premium distilled spirit "Met Omija Gin" won the grand prize in the our liquor other institutional sector at the 2026 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards.
Met Omija Gin is a liquor developed through the Youth Startup Academy in 2025, and it was launched after product planning and development and refining of prototypes based on a youth startup support program.
Warm Root Agricultural Corporation has focused on capturing Bonghwa's raw ingredients, aromas, and the sense of the seasons in its spirits. It has built its brand identity not simply by producing alcohol, but by embedding the natural character of Bonghwa and producers' philosophies in its products, based on local agricultural products and regionality.
The award-winning "Met Omija Gin" shows a strong personality starting with its name. Building on the mountain and wild imagery evoked by the name "Met," it combines the complex aromas and flavors of omija to complete a distinctive character.
Omija is known as an ingredient that brings together sweetness, sourness, bitterness, saltiness, and spiciness, and this multilayered flavor profile works in distilled spirits to create dimensionality in aroma and a long finish.
Met Omija Gin balances omija's refreshing fruitiness with herbal and spice nuances, maintaining equilibrium from the first impression on the nose through the finish that lingers after drinking.
It is also designed to suit modern drinking styles while using traditional ingredients, making it a strength that it can be enjoyed in various ways, including straight, with tonic, as a highball, and as a cocktail base.
A Warm Root official said, "This award is the result of combining three keywords—local agricultural products, youth entrepreneurship, and craft distilled spirits—and is expected to remain a meaningful case that expands the diversity and potential of our liquor."