Ki One Distillery Set of Three Korean Single Malt Whisky The Unicorn The Eagle The Tiger

The Ki One Signature Line Set (The Unicorn The Eagle The Tiger) is a curated trio of Korean single malt whiskies meant to showcase the early signature expressions of Ki One Distillery. Each bottle offers a different style smoky & peated, rich & wine/sherry-influenced, and bold & oak-driven giving a broad palette of flavour that reflects both the climate (with strong maturation impact) and the distillerys ambition. Its ideal for collectors, tasting sets, or anyone curious about the emerging world whisky scene from Korea.

One bottle in this set, the Ki One Unicorn Edition is a milestone whisky: a peated single malt that captures both sweet richness and smoky depth, and in 2025 was awarded the Worldwide Whisky Trophy at the IWSC, meaning the BEST Whisky in the world, also making it Koreas first single malt to win that distinction. Its bold, flavorful, and a flagship expression in the Ki One/Three Societies lineup.

Ki One Distillery: Context & Common Features

These whiskies share many production features:

• Distilled by Ki One (formerly Three Societies) in Namyangju, South Korea.

• Barley malt is imported (from UK maltsters) for now; local terroir contributes via climate, oak, seasons.

• Fermentation is notably long (often 100-120 hours), which helps develop fruit and complexity.

• Distillation in Forsyths copper pot stills.

• They are non-chill filtered, no added colouring.

Details of Each Expression

Heres what distinguishes each member of the set:

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Strengths, What Makes the Set Stand Out

• Variety & Contrast in One Pack: You get three distinct profiles one heavy wine/sherry, one oak/bourbon & vanilla, one peated. Great for comparative tasting.

• Sense of Place / Fast Maturation: Koreas climate causes more active maturation in wood, giving depth even in relatively young whiskies. Ki One emphasizes the influence of Korean seasons.

• Craftsmanship & Intent: Long fermentation, use of various casks; peated malt; careful finishing. Not just flavour for novelty, but serious whisky-making.

• Collectibility / Limited Releases: The Society Collection editions (Tiger, Eagle, Unicorn) are limited and symbolic, which makes the set attractive for collectors.

Serving Suggestions & Pairing

• Tasting Order: Typically, start with Eagle (oak / bourbon lighter), then Unicorn (smoke), then finish with Tiger (rich wine/sherry fruit) to fully appreciate progression (from lighter smoky richest).

• Neat and with Water: Try neat first, then add a few drops of water to open aromas (especially for the peated Unicorn).

• Food Pairing:

  • Tiger dark fruits desserts, stone fruit compote, chocolate, rich cheeses.

  • Eagle vanilla desserts, crme brle, caramel sauce, perhaps lighter meats or grilled fish with oak / butter sauces.

  • Unicorn smoky BBQ, grilled or smoked meats, charcuterie, also rich seafood with smoke or spice; or even just smoked chocolate.

• Cocktails: Of the three, Eagle might mix well in whisky-forward cocktails without being too overt; Unicorn can add smoke in a cocktail; Tiger likely shines best alone or in simpler mixes that dont mask its dark fruit notes.