HiteJinro’s premium distilled soju brand “Ilpoom Jinro” has once again gained international recognition after all products submitted to the 2026 Monde Selection received awards.
The company said on May 28 that every Ilpoom Jinro product entered into this year’s Monde Selection — a global quality evaluation institute based in Belgium — won either Grand Gold or Gold honors.
Among the entries, “Ilpoom Jinro 25 Years” received the competition’s highest distinction, Grand Gold. Three other products — “Ilpoom Jinro25,” “Ilpoom Jinro Oak25,” and “Ilpoom Jinro Oak43” — were awarded Gold.
The results extended Ilpoom Jinro’s winning streak at Monde Selection to nine consecutive years since 2018, reinforcing the brand’s position in the premium distilled soju segment.
HiteJinro highlighted the continued success of its aged soju lineup in particular. Since the company first submitted its high-aged products in 2019, every entry in the category has received Grand Gold each year, including this year’s 25-year-aged edition.
The company described the achievement as an uncommon record within Korea’s liquor industry.
The oak-aged lineup also continued to perform strongly. “Ilpoom Jinro Oak25” and “Ilpoom Jinro Oak43” have both received awards every year since their respective debut submissions. The products are made by blending distilled soju aged in oak barrels at what the company describes as Korea’s largest barrel-aging facility for soju.
Industry observers say demand for premium distilled liquor has been growing steadily in Korea as consumers increasingly seek aged spirits and more sophisticated drinking experiences. The trend has accelerated alongside the popularity of whiskey and traditional Korean liquor categories.
Monde Selection is known globally for evaluating food and beverage products based on taste, quality, consistency, and manufacturing standards.
A HiteJinro official said the latest recognition reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
“Ilpoom Jinro is Korea’s representative distilled soju brand with more than a century of heritage and tradition,” the official said. “The continued awards since our first participation demonstrate that our dedication to quality has been recognized on the global stage.”
