Introduction
I’ve been intrigued by South Korean whiskies for a while, especially as the country’s craft beer scene has grown so confidently in recent years. When I came across Craftbros' Icons of the World series, featuring labels with striking portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Che Guevara, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I tend to be cautious with heavily stylised bottles — sometimes they’re more about shelf appeal than substance — but I picked up both expressions from curiosity and from a real interest in how whisky is evolving outside the typical spheres.
Nose
Starting with the Che Guevara bottling, the nose was much richer than I anticipated. There’s an initial wave of dried fruit — figs and raisins stand out — followed by a mellow dark chocolate presence. It's not overpoweringly sweet; instead, there's a kind of earthiness beneath it all, almost like damp oak or worn leather. The Marilyn Monroe expression opened up very differently — brighter, more floral, with hints of green apple and a slight waxy citrus note. It’s less intense, but has a crisp cleanliness to it that caught me off guard in a good way.
Palate
On the palate, the Che bottling follows through on that darker promise. It’s heavier in texture, with those raisin and sherry notes deepening into molasses and mild espresso. There’s also a soft bitterness at the mid-point, similar to unsweetened cocoa. It's not particularly spicy but has enough backbone to keep it structured. Comparatively, the Marilyn Monroe version is much leaner and lighter — delicate honey sweetness, hints of pear, and a soft almond character that reminded me a little of amaretto, but far more subtle. It's clearly made to be more approachable, and I found it very easy to sip.
Finish
The finish on the Che Guevara bottling is long and warming — a slow fade of dark fruit, with a touch of toasted spice that develops late. It doesn’t rush away. The Monroe expression finishes shorter, but cleanly — leaving behind white peach skin and a gentle zesty bitterness, almost like orange pith. Both leave you in very different places, and that contrast is probably my favourite thing about trying them side by side.
Price and Value
These are modestly priced, especially considering the bottling presentation and the small-batch angle. I wouldn’t call either a “value whisky” in the budget sense, but in terms of uniqueness and character, I felt they were worth the money. The Che variant feels like more thought went into its balance and structure, while the Monroe bottle is more about casual drinkability. If you’re into collecting or just looking for something unconventional to open with friends, they offer something different without feeling gimmicky.
Background
Craftbros is better known in South Korea for its craft beer, but they’ve recently made forays into whisky — primarily through collaborations and cask aging. These expressions come from their Icons of the World series, which merges visual art with imported whisky bases that are then possibly finished or re-bottled under Craftbros’ direction. While the full origin of the juice in each bottle isn’t totally transparent, there’s clearly been some effort put into blending and maturation choices. You can read more about their work at the Craftbros website (note: mostly in Korean).
The Che Guevara whisky is rumoured to involve sherry cask influence, or at least mimic those characteristics, while the Monroe bottling leans towards a lighter, more grain-driven base. Neither are age-stated, and both feel like part of a thoughtful creative trial — an experiment in how identity and taste can intersect.
Final Notes
Would I buy these again? I probably would pick up the Che version — it held my attention more over multiple tastings. The Marilyn Monroe bottle was enjoyable and easy-going, but not as layered. That said, it would make a solid introductory dram for someone new to whisky, especially given its smoothness and fruity profile.
If you're curious about how world whisky is developing outside traditional whisky regions, these are worth trying — especially if variety and storytelling matter to you. These aren’t heavily peated, nor are they cask bombs — think of them more as a creative snapshot of where young whisky producers are aiming.
If you're wondering when to pour this: I’d say the Che variant suits a quiet evening with some jazz or dim lighting, while the Monroe edition leans more toward a relaxed social moment with friends. Either way, they both represent a thoughtful, if unconventional, chapter in modern Asian whisky making.