Renowned alcohol brands and hidden brewing talents will compete for the title of 'National Representative Korean Alcohol.' The National Tax Service (NTS) is hosting the '2026 K-SUUL AWARDS' to expand export channels for local small alcohol manufacturers through a survival competition format.
The NTS announced that it will accept applications from small alcohol manufacturers wishing to export from July 27 to July 14. Both traditional liquor companies and domestic small alcohol manufacturers can apply online or through the local tax office's excise tax team.
The competition will consist of four categories: tacju (traditional rice wine), fermented beverages, soju, and distilled spirits. This year, tacju has been separated into its own category, and preliminary rounds will be held by local tax offices to ensure that award-winning products are not concentrated in specific types or regions.
A unique feature of this event is the 'black and white competition,' inspired by cooking survival shows. Liquors that have been produced by intangible cultural heritage artisans or have been recognized in domestic and international competitions will be classified as 'white' and will advance directly to the final evaluation after passing a preliminary document review. A total of eight products will be selected for the final evaluation.
Less well-known but competitive local liquors will compete as 'black.' After going through local preliminaries and the finals, a total of 32 products will reach the final evaluation. In the final stage, the eight 'white' products and 32 'black' products will compete, with three products from each category being selected as outstanding liquors, totaling 12 awardees.
The evaluation will be conducted through document reviews and blind assessments. To discover products suitable for international markets, the NTS plans to publicly recruit foreign judges alongside domestic experts, citizens, and corporate advisors. The final results will be announced in early November.
Award-winning products will receive the '2026 K-SUUL AWARDS BEST' label certified by the NTS. Support will also be provided for display and sales in overseas stores of major distributors, as well as for exhibitions and promotions at the international liquor fair 'K-SUUL Pavilion.' Domestically, collaborations with distributors will facilitate promotional events and tastings to enhance consumer awareness and expand sales channels.
In its inaugural year, the K-SUUL Awards attracted 175 small alcohol manufacturers nationwide, showcasing 366 products, with 12 ultimately selected. Award-winning products were sold through online promotions at CU and GS25, as well as at a special event at the Hyundai Department Store in Pangyo.
At the Hong Kong International Liquor Fair, the NTS established the 'K-SUUL Pavilion,' facilitating approximately 200 export consultations with overseas buyers. Some products are currently in discussions for export to Cambodia and supply to well-known domestic hotels, indicating ongoing efforts to expand market access.
The NTS aims to continuously discover excellent local small alcohol manufacturers and support the export competitiveness and global market entry of K-alcohol through public-private collaboration and partnerships between large and small enterprises.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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