College friends Daniel Lee and Maxwell Fine have teamed up to create West 32 Soju.
Those who frequent Korean BBQ joints will be familiar with the popular spirit Soju. This vodka-like beverage has hundreds of years of Korean tradition behind it. Modern Sojus can often be made to be sickly sweet, so when these NYC-based friends decided to create their own Soju, they decided to sweeten it with natural cane sugar instead of saccharin or stevioside. This makes for a very easy drinking spirit that goes down smoothly as a chilled shot or sipper.
West 32 Soju is made to be slightly stronger (20% ABV) than the traditional spirit. Its name was inspired by the main street of New York's Koreatown and the brand has a strong following throughout the city.
NYC-Made Korean Liquors
West 32 Soju is a Smooth Take on a Classic Korean Spirit
Trend Themes
1. Craft Soju - The trend of creating craft soju with unique flavors and premium ingredients offers an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the spirits industry.
2. Natural Sweeteners - The trend of using natural sweeteners like cane sugar instead of artificial additives presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the beverage industry, catering to health-conscious consumers.
3. Higher ABV Spirits - The trend of producing higher alcohol by volume (ABV) spirits like West 32 Soju provides an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the alcoholic beverage industry, appealing to consumers seeking stronger flavors and experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Craft Distilleries - Craft distilleries can capitalize on the trend of craft soju by experimenting with unique flavors and production methods, offering consumers a diverse range of spirits to choose from.
2. Sweetener Suppliers - Suppliers of natural sweeteners like cane sugar can leverage the trend of using healthier alternatives to artificial additives, providing beverage companies with quality ingredients to meet the demand for natural and less sugar-laden products.
3. Alcoholic Beverage Brands - Alcoholic beverage brands can explore the trend of higher ABV spirits, creating new product lines or variations to cater to consumers who seek stronger alcoholic beverages with distinct character and taste.