The Korean American Distillers Behind the Craft Soju Boom

"Founded by Carolyn Kim and James Kumm, this craft producer began in 2015 with a grape-dominant soju made from upstate New York grapes before transitioning to a blend of grain and grapes to create a distinct, ultra-premium experience that contrasts with mass-market “green bottle” soju. The brand has released a K-town series of flavored sojus that nod to classic green-bottle tastes, and offers an ultra-premium bottling (23% ABV) blended from Northern California grapes, California rice, and organic wheat designed for low-alcohol cocktails. In 2022 the company partnered with chef Kristen Kish to create chef-inspired liqueurs and is reformulating recipes to replace wheat with corn to address gluten sensitivities; the founders emphasize thoughtful, approachable variations on traditional soju rather than replicating mass-produced styles." - Clara Wang