Distiller

Sojugori is a still used to produce soju, or Korean distilled liquor. It is also called sojugosuri in Jeju Island. It consists of a snowman-shaped bowl with holes on the top, middle, and bottom, and a long trunk-like tube above the waist. It is approximately 40 to 60 cm in height, while larger stills have two handles on both sides of the lower part. A brass basin or a cauldron cover was used as its lid. When a cauldron cover was used as a lid, it was placed upside down so that the cover’s handle was facing downwards. The ingredients for the liquor were placed inside a pot with the still on top, and boiled until the steam rose up under the lid. When cold water is poured on the lid, the distilled liquor would condensate and flow down along the tube. The cold cooling water should be replaced and poured out frequently. The gaps between the pot, distiller, and the lid are filled up with flour dough to prevent the steam from escaping. The still is often made of earthenware, yet copper or brass is used in some cases. Copper or brass stills are designed for the upper and lower parts to be separated, but most earthenware distillers are produced in one piece.