Our Distillery · Story
Founded in Namyangju in 2020, Ki One Whisky Distillery is Korea's first single malt whisky distillery.
Ki One is built by a team shaped by three different societies: a Korean-American founder, a master distiller from Scotland, and Korean staff who bring the distillery to life each day. Together, they share one vision — to create whisky that speaks from Korea.
"We wanted to make whisky of Korea
- not inspired by it. Of it.."
We do not set out to replicate Scotch whisky or Japanese whisky. Instead, we are creating Korean whisky: single malt shaped by our climate, our own approach to production, bold experimentation, and the craftsmanship that defines Ki One.
Ki One — pronounced "Key Won" — is the Korean word 기원, meaning the beginning and hope. It represents the start of Korea's journey in the global world of whisky. A name that carries the weight of a first, and the promise of what's to come.
We are only at the beginning. Each year, as our casks age through Korea's dramatic seasons, our whisky grows deeper, bolder, more complex. New expressions are being developed. New casks are being filled. New chapters are being written.
Ki One is not just a distillery. It is a movement — proof that world-class whisky can be born anywhere there is passion, craft, and the courage to begin.
Experience Ki One
Step inside Ki One Distillery and witness Korea's first single malt whisky come to life — from grain to glass, cask to dram.