Which is the best Soju flavour?

For anyone who has spent even a limited amount of time in Korea, it is a well known fact that Soju (an alcoholic rice wine) is a household staple and much loved choice of drink for patriotic Koreans everywhere. I personally have spent many a Saturday morning, feeling like the soju shots on Friday night, often in the double digits, weren't really worth my proceeding pounding headache.

I have seen countless park benches with perfectly respectable family men, fast asleep at 3 am, having suffered at the hands of this pretty toxic, vodka like drink. Korea is a country obsessed with Soju dating back as far as the 14th century when the beverage was traditionally made from boiled sweet potatoes. According to CNN Online, upwards of 61.38 million cases of soju were distributed over the last year, making it officially the most commercially sold alcohol in the world.

Yet is it worth all the hype? At  25%  alcohol and $2 a bottle it might be cost effective - but is it worth suffering through the taste? A friend from home described the flavour as "like drinking sweetened carpet cleaner" and honestly I have to agree, the clear liquid has never gone down too easily."Lighter-fluid-ish-taste" was the reality until very recently in April 2015 when producers began to introduce flavoured Soju options onto the Korean market. Currently, everything from Peach and Blueberry through to  Citron  and Pomegranate flavour can be found at any grocery or convenience store nationwide. Hooray for a better taste!

The different Soju flavours. Original, Citron, Pomegranate, Peach and Blueberry.

However, the key question remains -which flavour is the best? I rounded up a couple of foreigners in my town to give all the flavours a try. Here's what these soju judges had to say.

The esteemed Judges: Irene, Andrea, Lauren and Erika.

1. Peach flavour:

Overall 7/10

Both Irene and Erika said they liked it and that it reminded them of 'My Chew' (a sugary Korean candy that students seem to go crazy over). They thought it was both a great pity and huge relief that their students were not allowed to get their hands on Peach soju. Ultimately they said the flavoured stuff was a hundred times better than the original.

Irene and Erika trying the Peach flavour.

2. Pomegranate flavour:

Overall 6/10 

(a slight disagreement among the judges)

Although Lauren though it was "delicious" and preceded to pour herself another glass, Irene thought the flavour reminded her of kids cough syrup and said it wasn't exactly her scene (giving it a 5 out of 10). Lauren told Irene not to be a hater and took the bottle away from her, apologizing to it for Irene's harsh words. A very mixed bag of opinions. 

3. Citron flavour:

Overall 8/10

Lets just say that Erika saw the light when she first tried the Citron flavour. Watch this for full details.

4. Blueberry flavour: 

Overall 10/10

A unanimous agreement that blueberry was the best. Everyone drank more than one shot. Andrea said,"At first there's the alcohol taste and then the blueberry flavour kicks in and tells you that everything is going to be just fiinnnnnnne."

5. The unflavoured Soju (Original):

Overall 3/10 

(They were highly unimpressed) Watch for more details.

So which is your favourite flavour?  Thank you to Irene, Erika, Andrea and Lauren for your help.