CJ CheilJedang, a global leader in Korean food and culture, announced the U.S. launch of Jari, its new premium Korean spirits brand created to introduce the craftsmanship and culture of Korean spirits to a new generation of consumers. Following its introduction in Korea earlier this year, Jari will be available at select stores and premium Korean restaurants in New York, including Michelin-starred fine dining establishments.
The name Jari comes from the Korean word for a “place” or “seat” where people gather to share food and drinks. At the heart of Jari is a simple idea: Korean food deserves a distinctly Korean drink to accompany it. Just as wine, sake and other spirits have become integral to their respective culinary cultures, Jari aims to introduce consumers to the possibilities of pairing Korean spirits with Korean food—From enjoying the spirits neat to incorporating them into contemporary cocktails.
Rooted in Korea’s distinctive approach to spirits and refined through a four-season aging process in traditional, unglazed Onggi, jari delivers clean spirits designed for versatility and equally suited for thoughtful sipping, broad food pairings and elevated cocktail applications.
The U.S. launch features three varieties: Jari Moonbaesool 24, Jari Moonbaesool 41 and Jari Gamuchi 24, each showcasing the ingredients, craftsmanship and time-honored techniques behind Korean distilled spirits. All three are aged to perfection across four seasons in traditional Onggi jars.
Jari Moonbaesool 24 and 41 (24% / 41% ABV)
Dating back to the Goryeo Dynasty, Moonbaesool originated in Pyongyang and has carried on its tradition for five generations in Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do. In recognition of its cultural significance, Moonbaesool was designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Korea in 1986, recognizing its importance as a living expression of Korea’s traditional distilling heritage.
Jari Moonbaesool is crafted from Korean ingredients and refined through Jari’s signature aging process. Using only traditional grains like millet, sorghum and rice harvested in Korea, and crafted without artificial additives, the spirit is aged through four seasons in traditional Onggi.
Jari Gamuchi 24 (24% ABV)
The name Gamuchi was inspired by gamulchi, Korea’s native freshwater fish. Known for its resilience in challenging environments, gamulchi reflects Jari’s ambition to bring a fresh perspective to traditional Korean spirits and inspire strength through change.
Made with freshly harvested Chungju rice, the spirit is aged through four seasons in traditional Onggi. It offers a smooth profile with delicate rice notes and a rounded texture. As it’s poured into the glass, delicate aromas gently unfold, revealing a subtle sweetness, a silky texture and a savory finish that lingers long after each sip.
“The U.S. launch of jari is an important step in expanding the presence of Korean spirits in a global market that has already embraced so many aspects of Korean food and culture,” said Gregory Yep, Lifestyle Food Business (CJ Foods) CEO of CJ CheilJedang. “We believe Jari can help open new possibilities for how Korean spirits are discovered, served, and enjoyed.”
To mark its U.S. debut, CJ Foods hosted The Beginning of Jari at Moono in New York City on September 22, an intimate five-course Korean pairing dinner hosted by Korean American chef and author Irene Yoo. The experience paired a curated tasting menu by Michelin-starred chef Hoyoung Kim, with Jari served neat and in cocktails crafted by mixologist Du-ui Hong of Seoul’s Pine & Co., bringing the brand’s Korean heritage and approach to hospitality to life.
“In Korean culture, food and drinks go hand in hand, and today’s ‘The Beginning of Jari’ showed how naturally jari fits into that tradition,” said Irene Yoo, author of Soju Party and Chef/Owner of Orion Bar. “There’s so much to discover in Korean spirits, and they don’t have to feel unfamiliar. They’re meant to be enjoyed around the table with food, with friends and as part of the experience—and I loved being able to bring that spirit of Korean drinking culture to the table with Jari.”
Ahead of its U.S. debut this fall, traditional spirits brand Jari has demonstrated its exceptional quality and craftsmanship, with all three products in its lineup earning top honors at prestigious global competitions, including the 2026 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) and the International Spirits Challenge (ISC).
