Jinro soju topped global liquor sales last year: UK mag

Korea’s Jinro soju has been named the best-selling liquor in the world by the U.K.-based trade magazine Drinks International.

Jinro sold 61.4 million boxes (nine liters per box) or 1.53 billion bottles of the traditional Korean spirit in the world last year. One box comprises 25 360-milliter bottles, which is common in Korea.

Second was Smirnoff’s Vodka with 24.7 million boxes and the third was Lotte Liquor’s soju of Korea with 23.9 million boxes, or 597.5 million bottles. Jinro and Lotte sold a combined 2.13 billion bottles of soju were sold last year. Jinro has been dominating the spirit market for a decade.

Among whiskey brands popular among Koreans, Johnnie Walker ranked eighth in sales with 18 million boxes, Swedish Absolut 16th with 11.21 million, and Jack Daniel’s 19th with 10.58 million.

Liquor, including soju, whiskey, vodka, gin, tequila, rum and brandy, are considered one of the top three alcoholic beverages along with beer and wine.