Best Inexpensive Asian Spirits

Clear color. Savory aromas and flavors of marinated mushrooms, soy-glazed seaweed snack, salted pretzels, and bell pepper with a satiny, vibrant, dryish light-to-medium body and a tingling, engaging, medium-long finish that presents accents of fresh bread and caramelized shallots finish. A food-enhancing shochu with lots of umami notes to explore.

Clear color. Aromas of rice candy and watermelon cooler with a satiny, vibrant, fruity light body and a medium-long bubblegum, agave nectar, white pepper, and aniseed finish. A silky, fruity shochu with a friendly personality; a nice transition for sake drinkers.

Brilliant clear color. Earthy aromas of bamboo leaf and shoot, wax, dusty sticky bun, and wet rattan with a silky, dryish light body and an even, engaging, medium-length rice and wax candy, tapioca, and hint of garlic shoot finish. A delicious and nuanced soju with attractive flavor and style.

Awards: 2017 Best Soju

Clear color. Aromas of powdered sugar, water chestnuts, and banana leaf with a supple, crisp, fruity light body and a smooth, breezy pickled pear finish. A clean, mild, easy-drinking soju.

Clear color. Aromas and flavors of nougat with toasted almonds, vanilla custard, and amaranth with a soft, bright, light-to-medium body and a smooth, interesting, breezy finish with accents of lemon chew candies and rice milk. A creamy and soft Soju with sweet notes of creamy vanilla.

Clear color. Aromas of sweet yogurt, white strawberry, and under-ripe plum with a supple, soft, light body and a sleek, short powdered sugar and corn flakes in milk finish. A smooth, simple and easy-drinking Soju.