Overview: Origin Whisky Distillery announced its duty-free shop-only product, KI ONE SUN, won the Best of Class trophy at the 2026 San Francisco International Liquor Fair (SFWSC). This marks the second consecutive year the brand has secured the highest award in the Arthur Single Malt Whisky category. The distillery from Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do, also received recognition for its other eight submitted products during the awards ceremony held in San Francisco.
The Full Story
The head of the Whisky Distillery, Han Jeong-han, held the Best of Class trophy of ‘Wish of Origin’ at the ‘Top Shelf 2026 Awards Gala’ held in San Francisco on the 8th (local time). The origin of the Korean single malt whisky brand won the top prize for the second consecutive year at the global liquor fair. All eight products submitted were awarded and three products were posted in the final round of one category, proving their competitiveness in the global market.
The Origin Whisky Distillery announced on the 9th that its duty-free shop-only product “KI ONE SUN” won the Best of Class, the highest award in the Arthur Single Malt Whisky category. It received the grand prize in the same category for the second consecutive year following last year. Six products rose in the final round of the Arthur Single Malt Whiskey category this year. Among them, three products were included: “Origin Year,” “Origin Star,” and “Origin Tiger Cask Strang.” After competing with Taiwanese whisky brand Cavalan’s “Soloists,” the Year of the Origin was selected as the final winner.
The Tasting Alliance, the organizer, assessed that the origins of Korea’s first single malt distillery have quickly grown from a fledgling distillery to a global competitor. The jury evaluated that the cherry scent, the flavor of toffee, cacao, and baked almonds are combined, and the apricot scent leaves a lingering impression for KI ONE SUN. “I’m happy to show you again on the same stage that last year’s grand prize was not a single stroke of luck,” said Han Jeong-han, head of the Whisky Distillery, at the awards ceremony.
Production & Profile
Origin is a duty-free shop-only product aged in sherry cask and wine cask. Namyangju’s large daily temperature difference and four seasons are used for aging. Tigers, eagles, and unicorns are introduced as regular products.
Brand & Industry History
The origin of distilling in Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do, in June 2020 is Korea’s first single malt whisky distillery. It won the IWSC Whiskey Trophy and SFWSC Best of Classes last year, and is currently entering 14 countries, including the UK, the US, and Japan.
What This Means
Attention is focusing on whether the origin will continue to be successful at the British International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC). It was named as a finalist for the 2026 “Worldwide Whiskey Producer Trophy,” and the results of the awards will be announced in London, England, on the 24th local time.
Consumer Takeaway
The product is sold at duty-free shops, online duty-free shops, and in-flight duty-free shops at Incheon, Gimpo, Jeju, and Gimhae airports.
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