OUR STORY

BUT FIRST, WHAT IS SOJU

 

SOJU IS A LOW PROOF “KOREAN VODKA” THAT HAS A HISTORY AND DEEP-ROOTED TRADITION SPANNING HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

Similar to vodka, soju is a neutral spirit, with an element of sweetness; however, soju is low ABV (only 14% to 24% ABV). It is most often consumed neat, but it serves as a great base or component in cocktails too.

 
 
 
 

Most importantly, drinking Soju is a communal experience that brings people together through time-honored customs

— you might ‘grab a drink’ with friends, but you share a bottle of soju. Soju is part of a social ritual. Believe it or not, Soju is one of the most popular spirits in the world, but there’s a good chance you haven’t heard of it since the vast majority of it is consumed in Korea.

 
 

WEST 32 SOJU ORIGINS

West 32nd street is the bustling enclave in the heart of K-town, where people go in the middle of NYC to be transported to another world full of incredible spicy food, traditional Korean BBQ, and endless Soju, a low proof Korean Vodka. Dan, a Korean American, and college friend, Max, convened here weekly and fell in love with everything K-town had to offer. They became passionate about sharing the culture with everyone they knew — and Soju was the gateway. The two set out to create a wholly unique take on the traditionally Korean drink through modern American craft influence.

 

A WHOLLY UNIQUE TAKE ON THE TRADITIONALLY KOREAN DRINK

 

Dan and Max tested numerous bases for their Soju including barley, sweet potato, and rice, before landing on corn — the most neutral flavored base, and locally produced in New York. After an untold amount of batches to perfect their recipe, West 32 was born: an American-made, but true to tradition, craft distilled, gluten-free, all-natural soju that is higher quality and has better flavor and than any other soju available, with the awards to back it up.

 AWARDS


2017 NEW YORK SPIRITS COMPETITION
SOJU OF THE YEAR


2017 NEW YORK SPIRITS COMPETITION
GOLD MEDAL


2019 NEW YORK SPIRITS COMPETITION
SOJU OF THE YEAR


2022 LOS ANGELES INVITATIONAL
BEST SOJU


2022 LOS ANGELES INVITATIONAL
GOLD MEDAL


2022 LOS ANGELES INVITATIONAL
DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL