根據2024年的銷售數據，全球烈酒市場出現一個令人驚訝的現象：韓國的真露（Jinro）燒酒成為全球銷量最高的烈酒品牌。該品牌在2024年的銷量達到9680萬箱（每箱9升），遠超其他烈酒品牌，成為全球烈酒銷量的冠軍。更令人注目的是，真露燒酒的銷量幾乎是位居第二的印度調和威士忌品牌麥克道爾（McDowell）的三倍，而麥克道爾在同年的銷量僅為3220萬箱。相比之下，中國知名白酒品牌牛欄山二鍋頭2024年的銷量為36.94萬千升，折算為約4100萬箱，不到真露燒酒的一半，可見真露燒酒在國際烈酒市場的優勢相當明顯。

真露燒酒擁有多種品類，其酒標標示相對清楚，原料多為木薯。然而，木薯中含有較高的氰苷，使用木薯釀造蒸餾酒時，氰化物含量可能超標。氰化物具有劇毒，如果長期或大量攝入，對人體健康存在潛在風險。雖然目前市售的真露燒酒一般都有經過安全檢測，但消費者在選擇和飲用時仍需注意飲酒安全，避免過量。

綜合來看，真露燒酒之所以能成為全球銷量冠軍，一方面與其多樣化的產品線、相對親民的價格及品牌國際影響力有關，另一方面也反映出亞洲市場、特別是韓國酒類產品在全球烈酒市場中的競爭力。然而，原料特性帶來的健康風險也提醒消費者，選酒和飲酒都需理性，兼顧口感與安全。

According to 2024 sales data, a surprising trend has emerged in the global spirits market: South Korea’s Jinro soju became the world’s best-selling distilled spirit. In 2024, Jinro sold 96.8 million 9-liter cases, far surpassing other spirits brands and securing its position as the global sales champion. Remarkably, Jinro’s sales were nearly three times higher than the world’s second-best-selling spirit, India’s blended whisky McDowell’s, which sold 32.2 million cases in the same year. In comparison, China’s well-known baijiu brand Niulanshan Erguotou sold 36.94 million kiloliters in 2024, roughly equivalent to 41 million 9-liter cases, less than half of Jinro soju’s sales, highlighting Jinro’s overwhelming international market presence.

Jinro soju comes in a variety of types, and its labels clearly indicate that its primary ingredient is cassava. However, cassava contains relatively high levels of cyanogenic glycosides, and distilled spirits made from cassava may have elevated cyanide content. Cyanide is highly toxic, and excessive or long-term consumption can pose health risks. Although commercially sold Jinro soju undergoes safety testing, consumers are advised to drink responsibly and be mindful of potential health concerns.

Overall, Jinro’s position as the world’s top-selling spirit is driven by its diverse product range, affordable pricing, and strong international brand influence, reflecting the competitiveness of Asian, particularly Korean, alcohol products in the global spirits market. At the same time, the inherent risks associated with its raw materials serve as a reminder that consumers should balance taste enjoyment with safety when choosing and consuming alcoholic beverages.