CU Launches Industry-First 'On the Rocks Big Ball Ice' Amid Whiskey Craze

CU recently announced on the 2nd that it will be the first in the industry to pre-launch large-capacity on-the-rocks big ball ice through Pocket CU, in response to the recent convenience store whiskey craze.

The on-the-rocks big ball ice introduced by CU this time consists of two types of premium brand Lubing ice cubes (6 pieces, 700g) and ball ice (6 pieces, 800g) manufactured by Dongyang Frozen, a specialized ice manufacturer. Both products are priced at 6,000 won, the lowest price online.

To purchase CU’s on-the-rocks big ball ice, customers can select the product in the reservation tab of CU’s commerce application, Pocket CU, choose the store, date, and time for pickup, and complete the payment. About 1,000 units will be initially sold exclusively in the Seoul area this month, with a second batch supplied in mid-month.

Following Lubing ice, CU plans to expand sales of big ball ice (4 pieces) to offline stores nationwide starting at the end of this month. This product is produced with spring water sourced from Sancheon-gun, Gyeongnam, which was the first to obtain groundwater extraction permission, and made using advanced ice-making technologies such as air method and slow freeze method implemented by the latest automated system.

Besides cup ice and large bag ice, which have been paired with various beverages like iced drinks at convenience stores, the dedicated ice developed for linked purchases with specific products is the first big ball ice.

Along with the launch of on-the-rocks big ball ice this month, CU will also hold a popular whiskey discount event. CU’s liquor TFT MD recommends Navarro Correas Allegoria Malbec, Talisman Scotch whiskey, and offers Wild Turkey, Buffalo Trace, and Jim Beam at a 20% discount when paid with KB Pay throughout March. A Label 5 whiskey highball special pack will also be introduced. Additionally, limited quantities of Macallan, Balvenie, Glenfiddich, and Glen Grant will be sold at discounted prices at CU’s liquor specialty stores, and starting from the 2nd of this month, Korea’s first single malt whiskey, Giwon Batch 1, will be sold through CU’s commerce app, Pocket CU.

Hwang Cheol-jung, MD of the Beverage Food Team at BGF Retail, said, “As whiskey demand has increased recently at convenience stores, ice sales have also grown, prompting us to diversify our products. Ice is one of the highest-selling products among all convenience store items, so we will continue to develop differentiated products that pair well with various items.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.