Seoul: Soju Tasting at Historic Distillery & 7 Spirits
Taste Seven Spirits at Seoul's Hidden Soju Distillery
You enter a family-run distillery closed to public tours, taste seven Korean spirits ranging from 18 to 50% ABV made on-site, and hear the Joseon dynasty history behind Samhae soju from the master distiller himself. Small groups mean you're not rushed. The space is wheelchair accessible and reachable by public transport.
Step-by-step itinerary
Soju and Korean alcohol tasting
- Enter private distillery
- Learn stories about Korean alcohol
- Taste 7 types of rice wines and spirits
- Enjoy premium soju with 45% alcohol
- Socialize with fellow tasters
What’s included
Entry to the private distillery, tasting of at least seven different Korean alcohols (tak-ju, cheong-ju, and soju ranging from 18 to 50% ABV), and stories about the Joseon dynasty history and family recipe from the master distiller himself.
Times
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday 17:00
Last departure this season: 29 Jan 2027
Another day? ›Before you book
Operated by Sam LEE
Prices and times updated today
Need assistance?Message us on WhatsApp or by emailTraveler reviews
The experience
You've just landed in Seoul, or maybe you've got a free afternoon between meetings. Either way, you walk into a distillery that doesn't advertise, doesn't have a website, and doesn't let tourists in, except for this. The master distiller, Hyeonjong Kim, learned the craft for over ten years under his predecessor, and he's kept the family recipe alive through decades when production had to stop entirely during Korea's lean years. That history is in the glass.
The tasting moves through at least seven different Korean alcohols, starting with lighter rice wines and moving into the premium soju: some bottles hitting 45% ABV or higher. You'll taste tak-ju (unfiltered rice wine), cheong-ju (the filtered clear kind), and the specialty: soju made the way the Joseon nobility drank it, back when Samhae was a luxury only the ruling class could afford. The master walks you through the stories: why certain spirits had to be abandoned during famines, how the recipe survived, what makes this distillery's approach different from the industrial green bottles you see everywhere. It's not a lecture. It's more like sitting with someone who actually knows what he's made.
Groups stay small, capped at fourteen people, so there's room to ask questions and linger over a pour if something catches your attention. The distillery itself is accessible by public transport, and the space is wheelchair accessible throughout. If you're traveling with a group and want to shape the tasting around what you're interested in (maybe you want to focus on the premium spirits, or you're curious about fermentation techniques), you can message ahead and arrange something custom.
Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to understand Korean spirits beyond the green bottle, and who value learning from someone who's actually made the stuff for decades. The small group size and private setting mean you're not on a conveyor belt. You're in a working distillery with time to ask questions.
Compare the 12 alternatives
Top questions
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.
How many different spirits do you taste?
At least seven, ranging from unfiltered rice wine to premium soju at 45% ABV or higher.
Is this distillery open to the public normally?
No. This tasting is one of the few ways to visit. It's not a tourist attraction. It's a working family distillery.
Who leads the tasting?
Hyeonjong Kim, the current master distiller, who trained for over ten years under his predecessor.
Can you arrange a private group tasting?
Yes. Private groups can message ahead (Instagram: samsangchun, WhatsApp) to customize the experience.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and the distillery is reachable by public transport.
Who shouldn't book this?
It's not recommended for pregnant travelers due to alcohol tasting.
Seoul: Soju Tasting at Historic Distillery & 7 Spirits
1h 30m · EN
from US$ 47 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.