CJ CheilJedang Launches Premium Korean Spirits Brand "jari" in the U.S., Marking the Next Step in Its Global Expansion

The launch introduces Korean-crafted spirits to American consumers, uniting K-Food and K-Spirits to deliver a more complete Korean culinary experience – where food, spirits, and shared moments around the table come together.

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CJ CheilJedang, a global leader in Korean food and culture, today 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 & 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 IWSC and ISC.

To learn more, follow on Instagram @jari.spirits.

About jari

Introduced by CJ CheilJedang, jari is a contemporary Premium K-Spirits brand inspired by the artistry of Korean distilling. By sourcing premium local ingredients and refining them through a distinctive aging process, jari brings new depth and dimension to generations of craftsmanship. Named after the Korean word 자리 ("a place" or "setting"), jari celebrates the harmonious space where food, spirits, people, and culture naturally come together. It reflects the brand's vision to earn a lasting place in the hearts of consumers, where each encounter becomes part of a story worth remembering.

About CJ CheilJedang

CJ CheilJedang is a South Korea-based food & biotech company operating globally. Founded in 1953 as the first Korean sugar manufacturer, its food business unit, CJ Foods, has grown to become Korea's largest food company and is now leading the global food industry with beloved bibigo™ K-food products. In the U.S., CJ CheilJedang operates its food business – including bibigo™, the No. 1 brand in the country's B2C dumplings category, and Red Baron® – through CJ Schwan's, a U.S.-based affiliate, running 20 production facilities across the country. CJ CheilJedang is part of CJ Group, an international company in the fields of Food & Food Services, Bio & Pharma, Entertainment & Media, and Retail & Logistics.

SOURCE CJ Cheiljedang