Namyangju's "Ki One Whisky" Wins Top Award in Category at U.S. Spirits Competition for Second Consecutive Year

Namyangju City: "Ki One Hae" Wins in the Single Malt Category
Mayor Choi Hyundeok: "Showcased the Competitiveness of Korean Whisky"

Ki One Whisky, produced in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, has won the top award in its category at an international spirits competition in the United States for the second consecutive year.

Namyangju Mayor Choi Hyundeok poses for a commemorative photo during a visit to the Giwon Whisky production facility in Hwado-eup on July 28 as part of his on-site mayor's office schedule. Provided by Namyangju City.

Namyangju City, led by Mayor Choi Hyundeok, said on November 10 that Ki One Whisky, a local company, won Best of Class in the Other Single Malt Whisky category with its Ki One Hae product at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), held in San Francisco on November 8 local time. The win follows last year's award for Ki One Signature, marking the company's second consecutive year receiving the honor.

Ki One Whisky is Korea's first single malt whisky distillery, having begun distilling in Namyangju in 2020. It produces whisky using the area's climatic conditions and has expanded into overseas markets, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan.

It was also named one of six finalists for the 2026 Whisky Distillery of the Year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) in the United Kingdom. The final results will be announced in London on November 24 local time.

On July 28, during an on-site mayor's office visit in Hwado-eup, Mayor Choi Hyundeok visited Ki One Whisky's production facility and discussed the company's operations and development plans with its CEO, Do Jeonghan. The city plans to work with local beverage producers, including Ki One Whisky, to organize a festival highlighting the region's distinctive character when it holds a liquor festival next year.

Mayor Choi Hyundeok said, "It is a highly meaningful achievement for a company that started in Namyangju to win the top award on the world stage for two consecutive years. I congratulate all the employees who have showcased the competitiveness of Korean whisky to the world through continuous research and bold endeavors."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.