Crafted in Korea, sipped worldwide
KIMCHANGSOO WHISKY DISTILLERY Co. Ltd. was founded in 2020 – one of the Republic of Korea’s very first whiskey distillers. Within just three years, this one-person operation released an initial limited edition of 336 bottles that sold out instantly at over 200 USD each. It was a phenomenal success, forged from an incredible decade-long journey.
Mastering the art of whiskey making: A journey paved with perseverance
Though he majored in Chinese language at university, Kim Chang-soo nursed a burning ambition: to craft his own whiskey. Soon after graduating, he began work as a bartender to deepen his knowledge of alcohol and the liquor industry. He learned a great deal, but his dream remained frustratingly out of reach.
With just 9,000 USD in savings and a tent, Kim Chang-soo set off for Scotland, the ancestral home of whiskey. He hoped to find a job in a distillery but faced relentless rejection. Over 100 distilleries turned him away, leaving him physically and emotionally drained.
As hope dwindled, a chance encounter with a fellow Asian would change everything. They struck up conversation and – as fate should have it – this stranger worked in a renowned Japanese venture whiskey distillery.
It was a stroke of luck that turned into a life-changing opportunity, leading Kim Chang-soo to Japan where he would master the art of whiskey-making, honing his skills before finally returning home.
Building a legacy for Korean single malt whiskey
Back in the Republic of Korea – and even with his hard-won whiskey expertise – the dream of opening a distillery remained elusive. The biggest obstacle? Funding.
Building a distillery required significant capital, and persuading local investors to support a relatively unknow venture like whiskey production proved incredibly difficult.
Kim Chang-soo continued to travel between the Republic of Korea and Japan, all the time refining his whiskey-making expertise. He eventually opened a small bar in Yeouido, Seoul, where he shared his vision for Korean whiskey with his patrons.
It was through connections like these and the support of like-minded individuals that he was finally able to turn his ambition into a reality.
Whiskey distillation: A small still for a refined taste
In 2020, operations finally began at his one-person distillery in Seoul. To minimize costs and maintain control over the distillation process, Kim Chang-soo designed and built his own small-scale still.
“Smaller stills allow for greater copper contact during distillation, which enhances the spirit’s flavour,” explains Kim Chang-soo.
He likens his whiskey to handmade pasta from a small artisanal restaurant, versus mass-produced pasta from a factory, highlighting the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into each batch.
“Whiskey’s flavour is shaped by thousands of subtle choices, each requiring years of patience to perfect. My small stills allow me to refine every element, resulting in a truly local spirit with unparalleled depth and character.”
Kim Chang-soo
KIMCHANGSOO WHISKY: A brand that bears its maker's mark
When Kim Chang-soo first shared his vision of creating a Korean whiskey, most dismissed it as impossible. Undeterred, he persevered through years of hardship, driven by unwavering dedication to the craft. Today, he personally and meticulously oversees and manages every step of the whiskey-making process.
When the time came to name his whiskey, he felt there was only one option that could truly capture the essence of his remarkable journey: his own name, Kim Chang-soo.
Korean whiskey goes global with the Madrid System
KIMCHANGSOO WHISKY became a nationally registered trademark in November 2023 and was quickly making its mark locally. It was time to introduce it to foreign markets.
Securing international trademark protection became crucial.
A WIPO Madrid System consultant – himself a KIMCHANGSOO WHISKY enthusiast – who had previously advised the company on local trademark matters, introduced Kim Chang-soo to WIPO’s Madrid System for the International Registration of Trademarks.
Kim Chang-soo immediately recognized it as a smart, affordable way to protect his trademark in several countries at once, giving his brand a strong start in international markets.
KIMCHANGSOO WHISKY was registered through the Madrid System on March 3, 2024, seeking protection in Australia, China, the European Union (EU), India, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (US), and Viet Nam, under Class 33 of the Nice Classification covering grain-based distilled alcoholic beverages, whiskey, whiskey-based liqueurs, spirits, and flavor-infused whiskey).
This strategic market selection very much reflected Kim Chang-soo's ambition. Established whiskey markets like the UK, EU, US, Australia, India and Japan – the first three especially considered the heart of the whiskey world – were chosen to position KIMCHANGSOO WHISKY among the industry's elite. High-growth markets like China, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam were included for their increasing whiskey consumption and potential, ensuring a balanced approach to global expansion.
Adjusting goods and services for EU, UK protection
When KIMCHANGSOO WHISKY DISTILLERY’s international trademark registration was forwarded to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) for substantive examination, an unexpected challenge arose – a warning email from lawyers representing the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).
The issue stemmed from one of the designated goods in Class 33, namely “flavor-infused whiskey.” According to whiskey regulations in both the EU and the UK, the term “whiskey” must conform to strict legal definitions, which do not permit flavor infusion. The SWA’s legal representatives strongly advised KIMCHANGSOO WHISKY DISTILLERY to remove this term from the trademark application for these jurisdictions.
Had this been a national trademark application, KIMCHANGSOO WHISKY DISTILLERY would have needed to appoint local representatives to resolve the issue, leading to additional costs and delays. However, since the application was filed through the Madrid System, the company was able to swiftly address the matter by submitting a “limitation” request via WIPO, removing “flavor-infused whiskey” only from their EU and UK designations, whilst retaining it in all other markets where they sought protection.
As a result, both the EU and the UK successfully granted protection, demonstrating the efficiency and flexibility of the Madrid System in helping companies solve jurisdiction-specific trademark issues.
Barely one year since its registration, KIMCHANGSOO WHISKY is already protected in Australia, China, the EU, Singapore, the UK, the US and Viet Nam. Though the registration is still under examination in India and Thailand, and a final decision is pending from Japan’s IP Office, Kim Chang-soo remains optimistic about securing protection in these markets.
What’s next for KIMCHANGSOO WHISKY?
Kim Chang-soo isn’t content with simply meeting demand; he’s building a legacy.
A recent distribution agreement with a leading UK importer marks a significant milestone, bringing KIMCHANGSOO WHISKY to the discerning palates of one of the world’s most influential whiskey markets.
Construction is underway on a second distillery in Andong, the historic heartland of Korea's “soju” tradition. It’s an expansion initiative that represents not just increased production capacity, but also a symbolic bridging of Korea's rich distilling heritage with its burgeoning whiskey future.
And, looking further ahead, Kim Chang-soo envisions a truly "grain-to-glass" Korean whiskey. He has already – quite literally – sown the seeds. Barley, cultivated on a sprawling 130,000-pyeong site in Yecheon, is expected to yield its first harvest this year, bringing Kim Chang-soo’s dream of a 100% Korean whiskey one step closer to reality.
From a limited batch of some 300 bottles in 2023 to global success today, KIMCHANGSOO WHISKY embodies the spirit of innovation and the pursuit of excellence. Thanks to Kim Chang-soo’s unwavering commitment, coupled with strategic international trademark protection, KIMCHANGSOO WHISKY is poised to conquer new territories and go from strength to strength on the world stage.
Find out more about KIMCHANGSOO WHISKY’s international trademark registration.
More about the Madrid System
The Madrid System is a convenient and cost-effective solution for registering trademarks in up to 130 countries by filing one application and paying one set of fees.
