#20 Gaedo Makgeolli (개도 막걸리)

Hailing from the small island of Gaedo, which is part of the Dadohaehaesang National Marine Park off the coast of Yeosu, this sour tasting rice wine is definitely one of the most distinctive tasting makgeolli I have had. It is pretty chalky and is not one to be left too long in the cup as it settles quite quickly soon after pouring. It has an incredibly sour first taste and will definitely draw in the jaws of even the most hardened of makgeolli drinkers. It does sweeten a little after that first mouthful or two.

It was made famous by poet Lee So-ri who referred to it as the “best she’s ever tasted” in her book ‘makgeolli’. I’m not sure I would go as far as So-ri but it is night and day compared to many of the mass-produced offerings occupying the shelves of your local GS. It also, rather surprisingly, made my head spin a little, however briefly, even before the bottle was finished although I’m not sure whether that is a selling point or not.

• Price : We bought it online and it cost around 3000W a bottle
• A sour and tangy rice wine
• Goes well Chilsung Cider close by
• Alcohol : 6%