광주요는 조선 왕실에 진상하는 도자기를 굽던 광주관요의 유서 깊은 전통과 장인정신을 이어 받아 1963 년에 설립되었고, 전통 도자기의 재현은 물론 도자기를 생활 식기로 생산하여 ‘도자문화의 생활화’를 실현하고 있는 기업입니다.
광주요는 왕실의 엄격함과 우아함을 재현하며 광주요 제품을 사용하시는 모든 분께 자부심을 안겨 드리고 광주요를 통해 생활문화까지 더욱 품위 있게 향상될 수 있도록 노력 하고 있습니다.
이와 더불어 한국을 대표하는 전통 증류소주인 화요’와 최고급 한식 레스토랑 ‘ 가온’, 비채나’를 통해 맛있는 음식과 그에 어울리는 그릇 , 품격 있는 술을 선보이며 한국의 수준 높은 식문화를 찾아내고 발전시키고 있는 식문화 선도 기업으로 자리매김하고 있습니다.

한국전통 소주의 맥을 잇는 술 화요 火堯 의 이름은 소주의 '소(燒)'자를 파자한 것입니다. '소'라는 글자는 불을 뜻하는 화 火 와
존귀하다는 뜻과 함께 고대 중국의 전설적인 왕, 요임금을 뜻하기도 하는 '요(堯)' 로 나눌 수 있습니다.
화요는 결국 불로써 다스린 존귀한 술 이라는 뜻을 담고 있으며 이는 한국 고유의 증류식 소주를 이르기에 가장 적합한 이름일 것입니다.

KwangJuYo Group that have made the new trend of modern dining culture based on the pottery culture has transformed the three essential elements needed for the enjoyment of the food, which are porcelain, Hansik (Korean cuisine), and liquor, to one whole culture filled with Korean spirit and art, that will introduce to the world as Hansik lifestyle culture. KwangJuYo makes investment on the true value that can convey to the next generation to move towards the world.

The name HWAYO(火堯) was made by dividing the character ‘So’(燒) of ‘Soju'(燒酒). ‘Hwa’(火) means fire and 'Yo'(堯) means a high and noble Earth(土) which could be divided from Yo(堯) expresses the sprit of HWAYO. These two words meet together to honor the name of the best distilled spirits in Korea, HWAYO(火堯).

HWAYO was born with the will of the Kwangjuyo Group to make our drink pairing with proper Korean food and ceramics. HWAYO25 and HWAYO41 was launched to target Japanese shochu and vodka. After that HWAYO17 has been launched to compete with sake and wine, HWAYO X.Premium to compete with Cognac, whiskey, and brandy. After release of HWAYO53 in 2015 to compete with kaoliang, we have created a full line-up of alcohol that can compete with liquors all around the world.

HWAYO started its baby step in 2006 with the first export to the United States. Slowly HWAYO was promoted through to the world mouth to mouth, finally we were able to supply to the United States Forces Korea in 2014. We’ve slowly but steadily expanded our territories starting from overseas Koreans to locals. Finally in 2020, X.Premium became the first Korean whisky to export to France in recognition of whisky. Premium soju HWAYO is exporting to 20 countries and 5 continents and
will not stop its journey until we export to every country in the world. We are proud to represent you that HWAYO is a pioneer product of the Korean liquor that has taken the traditional Korean liquor market to the next level. HWAYO is responsible for creating the world’s most and distinguished rice whisky and Premium Soju.

X.Premium, Single Rice Whisky made in Korea was exported to Europe for the first time, starting with France. This export is significant because it symbolizes the high status of Korean liquor, which is produced in Korea, from ingredients to final product. We are proud to present Korean rice whisky, the masterpiece from Korea to the global market.