Lee Gang Ju

이강주

LeeGangJu is a traditional Korean spirit recognized as an official cultural heritage in South Korea due to its rich history and the precise craftsmanship that has persevered since the 15th century Chosun dynasty.

Leegangju is distilled from a unique blend of rice, barley, and Nuruk culture carefully cultivated by the highly celebrated Master Cho Jung-Hyung. This distillate is then aged with Korean pear, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and honey for 18 months.

Korean Pear

Korean pears are similar to a cross between a Kaiser (or Bosc) pear and a crisp green apple. Traditionally, Koreans have used pears for aiding with asthmatic disease such as pneumonia, cold, and cough, while helping bowel movements and acting as a diuretic. Korean pears are known for being ultra crisp and fresh.

Ginger

Ginger was grown in the Goryeo Kingdom and was used by Royalty for its anti-bacterial, anti-nausea, and anti-inflammatory properties. The ginger for LeeGangJu is grown in the Bong-dong, Wanju region - a region known to have the most suitable soil for growing ginger with its ochre, stringy soil. The 18 month maceration period allows the ginger's properties to fully transfer into the spirit.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is sweet and spicy at the same time while being hot in character. Koreans have used cinnamon for centuries to help blood circulation, to remove coolness from the chest and stomach, and to increase digestive power. Premium cinnamon is added to the distillate to perfect the flavour.

Turmeric

Turmeric is both spicy and bitter and its character is cooling counteracting that of the Cinnamon. Like Ginger, Turmeric has been given to Korean royalty for centuries because of its medicinal properties. Traditionally it was grown in both the Haeju and Jeonju regions. It is no coincidence that Jeonju is also the birthplace of LeeGangJu.

Honey

After several months of maceration with Korean pears, cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger, honey is added for a small dose of natural sweetness. This rounds out and perfects LeeGangJu's flavours and aromas.

How to Enjoy

Lee Gang Ju can be taken at room temperature, chilled, or slightly warmed. Each Temperature brings a different experience due to the spirit's depth of flavour.

The medicinal properties of the ingredients helps to reduce alcohol derived body-aches.

Make a simple cocktail by mixing with orange juice.

Lee Gang Ju pair well with fried, oily food.