I served in South Korea. Soju is not a weaker vodka; I can assure you of that.

  • halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    58
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    2 months ago

    Soju is not a weaker vodka; I can assure you of that.

    Except, it generally is. Most vodka has an ABV of about 40%. Soju on the other hand has a usual ABV in the 16-25% range. Some can be higher, but we’re talking normal products here. There is stronger Soju just like there’s stronger Vodka, in general though, it is weaker.

    • oleorun@real.lemmy.fanOPM
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      11
      arrow-down
      7
      ·
      edit-2
      2 months ago

      Soju ranges from 12%-54%. Plus, soju is not well-distilled; it has impurities that vodka does not.

      Edited: We’re likely both right. I was in Korea in 1999; back then the alcohol ABV values were quite a bit higher than today. I am also going to guess that the soju ABV content was skewed quite high around the Army bases. For reasons. I also could be wrong. It’s been known to happen.

      • doc@fedia.io
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        24
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        2 months ago

        Soju is to Korea as sake is to Japan. OP mentioned Korea so it’s unlikely a mistake. And Sake is a similar rage for abv. It’s naturally brewed and not distilled. Most yeast dies around 20% abv so virtually no naturally brewed product can get stronger. Vodka and other spirits are distilled so the skys the limit. Most are 40% for historic tax reasons.

        • stoly@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          2
          arrow-down
          27
          ·
          edit-2
          2 months ago

          Not sure why you wanted to give me a geography lesson when I obviously know what it is. Soju is far stronger than sake. It may be fortified in some cases.

          • Wrufieotnak@feddit.org
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            9
            ·
            edit-2
            2 months ago

            Because the way your original comment is worded it can be understood in two ways: either the soju or the vodka was written wrong. You meant the vodka, they thought you meant the soju.