Updating: Top 10 Most Popular Vodkas in Korea

 

Vodka is a colorless, odorless, and nearly clear spirit distilled from the fermented liquid of various crops, including potatoes, corn, and wheat. Its distinctive cleanness makes it a popular choice for enjoying straight or as the base for a variety of cocktails. Due to its diverse origins, vodka has been produced in numerous locations worldwide, resulting in countless varieties and varieties available in numerous countries.

Among these popular vodka products, let's take a look at the top 10 best-selling products in Korea. Source: International Spirits Report 2021 and : https://smoothmen.tistory.com/419

10th place - Snow Leopard

Edrington's premium vodka, Snow Leopard, ranked 10th in domestic vodka sales. Named after the snow leopard, the product, named after the snow leopard, was launched in 2005 with the idea of saving the rare snow leopard from extinction. A portion of the product's profits went to protecting the real-life model, Snow Leopard, making it a huge hit.

9th place - Danzka

Danzka, Denmark's flagship vodka, ranked 9th in popularity in Korea. Named after the Danish word for "Danish people," Danzka Vodka is characterized by its metal bottle-like design. Available in a variety of flavors and aromas, including apple, citrus, and currant, its unique design has made it a popular choice in Korea.

8th place - Grey Goose

Grey Goose, a premium vodka from Lance, ranked 8th in domestic sales. This product is renowned for its blending in the Cognac region of France, renowned for its cognac. It is also considered a premium vodka in Korea, and is priced higher than other vodkas.

7th place - Skyy

Skye Vodka, known for its clean, refreshing flavor, ranked 7th in domestic sales. Produced in the United States, this American vodka is known for its varying alcohol content, ranging from 37.5% to 43%, with 40% being imported and distributed in Korea. It's generally considered colorless and odorless, close to pure alcohol, and is considered best enjoyed straight.

6th place - Khortytsa

Ukraine's Kortisha Vodka, a top-five seller worldwide, has risen to sixth place in domestic sales. It's marketed as a clean, hangover-free vodka with minimal impurities. Its popularity is also growing in Korea, fueled by its global appeal.

5th place - Barton

Produced at the Kentucky Distillery, Barton Vodka, a highly popular high-proof vodka, ranked 5th in domestic sales. Mass-produced with inexpensive ingredients, it offers exceptional value for money. Its high alcohol content also makes it a popular base for cocktails, earning it a top ranking. It's a popular vodka used as a base for cocktails, highballs, and other beverages in domestic cocktail bars and other pubs.

4th place - Kirkland

Kirkland Vodka, sold exclusively at Costco, ranked 4th in domestic vodka sales. This American vodka boasts exceptional value and explosive popularity. Its flavor and aroma rival premium brands like Grey Goose or Tito's, making it one of the most sought-after vodkas in Korea. Thanks to Costco's global distribution network, Kirkland Vodka has steadily climbed the charts, and its future is highly anticipated.

3rd place - Smirnoff

Smirnoff, the pride of Russian vodka, has ranked third in popularity in Korea. This nationally recognized vodka, acquired by global beverage giant Diageo, is a global best-selling product, exported to approximately 130 countries. It is also available in Korea at a variety of locations, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and bars.

2nd place - Gilbeys

Gilbers Vodka ranked second in popularity in Korea. Gilbers, also known as gin, is extremely popular in the US and UK, and its unique flavor and aroma have earned it a loyal following in Korea. Distributed domestically through Diageo, it remains a popular, steady-selling vodka year after year.

1st place - Absolut

Absolut, Sweden's flagship vodka, has long taken the top spot in domestic vodka sales. With a storied history dating back to 1879, Absolut was acquired by global liquor company Pernod Ricard and is now sold in 126 countries worldwide, making it the world's best-selling vodka. It's also the most famous vodka in Korea, with sales comparable to the rest of the top 10. However, as the popularity of vodka wanes over the years, sales are declining.

CNN Selecting Beautiful Temples in Korea-Chuncheon Cheongpyeongsa Temple

 Cheongpyeongsa Temple is characterized by its beautiful natural scenery and long-standing historical and cultural value. It boasts a diverse collection of relics and historic sites, including the revolving gate (designated a national treasure), the Cheongpyeongsa Temple site (designated a Gangwon-do monument), and the three-story stone pagoda. Key Features

1) Temples in harmony with nature:

It is characterized by the harmony between nature and artificiality created by utilizing the topography.

2) Long history:

It was built during the Silla Dynasty and has a long history, and was greatly rebuilt by Zen Master Lee Ja-hyeon during the Goryeo Dynasty.

  3) Cultural property possession:

Revolving Door: This is a representative building that shows the architectural style of the Goryeo Dynasty, designated as Treasure No. 164.

Cheongpyeongsa Temple Site: Designated as Gangwon-do Monument No. 55.

Three-story stone pagoda: This stone pagoda is designated as Gangwon-do Cultural Heritage Material No. 8 and is characterized by being installed on a rock at the foot of a mountain.

4) Surrounding environment: 

You can enjoy beautiful scenery as it is close to Soyang River Dam.

5) Accessibility:

You can get there by boat from Soyang River Dam or by bus.

CNN Selecting Beautiful 33 Temples in Korea- Donghae Samhwasa Temple

 

Samhwasa temple, most famous for its National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Suryukjae, is a historic temple located at the entrance to the Mureung Valley. Its distinctive feature is its three-day Suryukjae ceremony, which, along with various Buddhist rituals, also serves as a local cultural space. Key Features 

1) National Intangible Cultural Heritage Suryukjae:

The Suryukjae, which began as a national ritual during the reign of King Taejo of Joseon in 1395, is held for three days every year on the third week of October and was designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013.

Ritual content: This is a Buddhist ritual to make offerings to spirits and ghosts that wander on land and water.

Ritual composition: It consists of three stages: the trial stage, the commander stage, and the bathing stage, and five stages: the lion stage and the orodan stage.

2) Historical significance:

Goguryeo, It is located in the border region where Baekje and Silla fiercely fought, so it has great historical importance.

3) Location:

It is located at the entrance of the Mulleung Valley in Donghae City and has beautiful mountain scenery.

Cultural Space: Donghae Buddhist University serves as a cultural hub for the local community, serving as a venue for lectures, Buddhist services, retreats, and various educational and conference venues.

3) Cultural properties:

**Samhwasa Three-story Stone Pagoda**, estimated to date from the late Silla period to the late Goryeo period, is designated as a cultural heritage of Gangwon-do.

CNN Selecting Beautiful 33 Temples in Korea-Bongwha Cheongryeansa Temple

 

Cheongnyangsa Temple (Bonghwa) boasts beautiful scenery, located near the summit. Its hall, a glass-covered shrine housing the Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, and the unique "Dry-lacquered Seated Bhaisajyaguru Buddha" statue are notable features. Furthermore, Cheongnyangsan Mountain is known as one of Korea's three most unusual mountains, and its geology is dominated by sedimentary rock.

* Key Features

Beautiful natural scenery: The autumn foliage is beautiful against the backdrop of Cheongnyangsan Yukyukbong Peak, and the location near the mountain peak offers outstanding scenery.

1) Dry lacquer seated Bhaisajyaguru Buddha : It is the size of a height and knee width, is doing the earth-touching gesture, and is characterized by broad shoulders and a robust Buddha body.

2) Yuribojeon : This is a Buddhist temple designated as a tangible cultural property of Gyeongbuk Province. It is where the Bhaisajyaguru Buddha is enshrined and is also called ‘Yaksajeon.’

3) Sedimentary rock geology : The geology of Cheongnyangsan Mountain is characterized by sedimentary rocks as the main component.

4) Cradle of Silla Buddhism : In the past, there were 26 hermitages centered around Yeondae Temple, making it an important stronghold of Silla Buddhism. 

CNN Selecting Beautiful 33 Beautiful Temples in Korea-Uljin Bulyeongsa Temple

 

The characteristics of Bulyeongsa Temple include the fact that it is an ancient temple founded by the Silla Buddhist monk Uisang, the legend of a "pond reflecting the image of Buddha," the presence of Daeungbojeon Hall, which exemplifies the architectural style of the late Joseon Dynasty, and the unique layout of the temple buildings that harmonizes with the natural landscape. Key Features

1) Founding story:

There is a legend that during the reign of Queen Jindeok of Silla, the Buddhist monk Uisang defeated a dragon in a pond and built a temple. The name 'Bulyeongsa Temple' also comes from the meaning that the image of Buddha is reflected in the pond.

Harmony with Nature: The temple's layout harmonizes with the natural landscape, particularly the vertical arrangement of the entrance to the Daeungjeon and the main halls forming an axis.

2) Uljin Bulyeongsa Temple Daeungbojeon:

It is an important cultural asset that showcases the architectural style of the 18th century. It is characterized by its symmetrical, untrimmed form with round columns erected on natural stone foundations.

3) Unique construction techniques:

The interior of Daeungjeon Hall, including its structure, decoration, and Dancheong, clearly demonstrate the characteristics of 18th-century architecture, and the interior Buddhist paintings and Dancheong are considered valuable materials for the study of art history.

4) Unique experience programs:

We provide Buddhist cultural experience programs, such as temple stay programs for lay believers.