Damso Peach Soju

Damso Peach Soju is a peach-flavored soju made by Esplanda in Massachusetts. It is listed under both wine and soju, and the details supplied don't give an ABV, so check the label for strength. Flavored sojus like this usually run softer than neutral spirits. Expect ripe stone-fruit aroma, a light and clean body, and a gentle sweetness over a neutral base. There is no tannin and no oak, acidity is typically low to moderate, and the finish is short and clean, with peach fading quickly. Serve it well chilled, around 4 to 8°C (40 to 46°F). Cold temperature tightens the sweetness and keeps the peach from turning syrupy. Stand the bottle in the refrigerator for a few hours, or in an ice bucket for about 20 minutes. Decanting does nothing for a bottle like this, so pour straight from the bottle. Traditional sojus are sipped from small shot glasses, and that works here. A small tumbler or stemless wine glass also suits it, particularly over ice or topped with soda water, tonic or lemon-lime soda for an easy peach highball. A splash of lemon juice adds acidity and balances the sweetness in mixed drinks. At the table, the fruit and sweetness are best against salty, spicy or fatty food. Korean fried chicken, grilled pork belly, tteokbokki, kimchi pancakes and spicy noodle dishes are the classic matches. Lightly spiced fried appetizers and charcuterie also work. Very sweet desserts will flatten the peach, so a plain fresh-fruit plate is a better finish. This is a drink-now bottle with no aging potential. Keep it cool and out of direct light before opening. Once opened, reseal it and refrigerate it, and finish it within a few weeks while the peach aroma is still fresh.