Traditional grain syrup (Jochung), saccharified by malt, and modern grain syrup (Moolyut), often corn-based with industrial enzymes, coexist in Korea, but their sensory divergence remains unquantified and poses a challenge to objective quality definition. We aimed to objectively define quality criteria by quantifying the inherent taste profiles of these two syrup types and identifying the dominant factor driving their flavor differences. An electronic tongue (E-tongue) was utilized to measure and analyze the taste profiles of 14 commercial syrups, and the resulting data were processed using principal component analysis (PCA). PCA successfully grouped samples into four distinct clusters. The analysis demonstrated that the primary raw material (rice vs. corn) was the dominant factor shaping flavor, overriding the saccharification method. We quantitatively showed that traditional Jochung possesses a distinctive, appealing complexity of high umami and sourness. Conversely, modern corn-based Moolyut exhibits a simpler profile dominated by pronounced saltiness. This study is the first to employ E-tongue technology to objectively quantify these crucial sensory differences, providing critical quantitative evidence to support the establishment of quality standards for Jochung.