Distillery: 六調子酒造 Rokuchōshi Shuzō
Address: 1013 Nishi, Nishiki, Kuma District, Kumamoto 868-0303
Website: http://rokuchoshisyuzou.ne.jp/
Additional Content: None found at this time
Name: 大古酒とろしかや Toroshikaya 30yr, 10yr blend Limited to 2000 bottles
Type: 米/麦焼酎 Rice/Wheat shōchū
蒸留方法: 常圧蒸留 (Atmospheric)
Ingredients:
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米 Rice
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米麹（国産）Rice Koji (Domestic)
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麦 (オーストラリア) Wheat (Australia)
Alcohol: 38%
In the bottle: A big, bold, and beautiful nose greets you right away—full of sugared cherries, wheat, and something that strongly reminds me of umeboshi candies (you either love them or hate them). With a little oxygen, lighter vanilla, toasted rice, and burnt caramel notes rise to the surface, though they remain somewhat muted compared to that initial punch. The overall aroma is rich, layered, and highly inviting, setting up strong anticipation for the glass.
On the rocks: For me, this has quite a unique taste—not in a bad way, more like “Oh, I wasn’t expecting that, and I like it.” Toroshikaya arrives rich and a little fruity in the glass, with a brandy/cognac-like quality that adds very nice depth and complexity. It reminds me a bit of Ōishi (the cognac-barrel-aged one), likely due to the slight amber hue that gives an impression of oak aging—though my understanding is this comes from the wheat base. The blend of 30- and 10-year components brings real maturity without heaviness. It’s something to savor, not just for the rarity of the blend, but because it’s genuinely that good—smooth, layered, and rewarding.
水割り Diluted with water
4:1 ratio: A little water smooths everything out beautifully, letting amazing chocolatey, cherry, and somewhat oaky notes take center stage. The dilution keeps the richness intact while making the shōchū even more approachable. This makes me really want to try pairing Toroshikaya with some nice rich, velvety cherry/chocolate desserts—the flavors seem made for it.
Enjoy on-the-rocks or diluted with a little water
Reflections on this shōchū
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Typically, I don’t spend more than 2,000 JPY on a bottle of shōchū, but after my first bottle of Rokuchoshi, I was ready to try the full range of what they have to offer. Clearly no disappointment—this one lived up to the hype and then some.
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I opened this as a treat during the 2023 holiday season, and it was the perfect bottle for the occasion. I also got to enjoy it in my new shōchū glass (thanks to my amazing wife). Toroshikaya feels made for special moments: rich, layered, and rewarding enough to make the evening feel a little more meaningful.
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Only one bottle left from my Rokuchoshi order now—very much looking forward to opening it in 2024. The blend of maturity, unique cherry-wheat-umeboshi character, and that cognac-like depth makes it something I’ll savor slowly when the time is right.
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Toroshikaya stands out as a refined, aged rice / wheat shōchū that brings big sugared-cherry and wheat notes upfront, with vanilla, toasted rice, burnt caramel, and subtle umeboshi candy vibes underneath. On the rocks it shows its complexity with brandy/cognac-like richness; light dilution smooths it into chocolatey-cherry-oak territory that begs for dessert pairings. At this price point for the quality and rarity (30 & 10-year blend), it’s exceptional value—especially if you enjoy oak-influenced or matured shōchū.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Bottle Tag
In the bottle: Not as big out of the bottle as some other Rokuchoshi releases, but it still carries a nice rich sweetness with clear hits of vanilla, cherry, dark chocolate, and toasted rice. The alcohol stays in the background—subtle and well-behaved—and opens up nicely with a little oxygen. The overall nose is refined and inviting, with good depth that builds anticipation for the glass.
On the rocks: While the nose is more reserved, the first sip brings no holding back: cherry, dark chocolate, and rice hit right up front and rest comfortably in the back of the mouth. The 38% alcohol makes itself known in a good way—showing up as a gentle black pepper on the back end that adds lift and balance. The finish is exceptional: wave after wave of those big upfront notes, plus softer vanilla and subtle sweetness. Overall, absolutely amazing—smooth, layered, and highly enjoyable over ice.
水割り Diluted with water
4:1 ratio: A little water really opens up the chocolate on this one—it reminds me of cherry chocolate cake. The vanilla also makes a nice appearance on the finish, tying back beautifully to what I noticed when I first opened the bottle. The dilution smooths things out while keeping the core flavors intact and pleasant.
Paired with chocolate: Thailand 70% dark, peanut massaman curry chocolate. Wow—the chocolate on its own doesn’t have such a strong curry flavor, but when paired with Kodai Ikko, the result is amazing. The curry chocolate with ginger blends so well together, letting the cherry, vanilla, and earthy notes take center stage. The shōchū amplifies the nutty, spiced side of the chocolate without clashing, creating a rich, cohesive finish. A standout pairing—unexpectedly delicious and one of the stronger chocolate matches I’ve tried with shōchū.
Enjoy on-the-rocks
Name: 古代一壺 Kodai Ikko Blend, 30yr, 13yr, 11 yr
Type: 米焼酎 Rice shōchū
蒸留方法: 常圧蒸留 (Atmospheric)
Ingredients:
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米 Rice,
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米麹（国産）Rice Koji (Domestic)
Alcohol: 38%
Reflections on this shōchū
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This last bottle from Rokuchoshi did not disappoint at all. It’s clearly on my destination list when I visit Kumamoto sometime this year—now I have even more reason to make the trip and see what else they have in person.
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I recently started pairing rice shōchū with chocolate, and so far the experience has been quite nice. I’ve done this before with Scotch and dark chocolate or a nice Port, but shōchū certainly has some potential. The cleaner rice base, subtle sweetness, and lighter body seem to play well with cocoa—letting the chocolate shine while adding its own gentle warmth and depth. It’s a different kind of synergy than Scotch or Port, but very enjoyable in its own way.
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Once some space opens up on the shelf, I will need to further explore some of the other more economically priced bottles they have to offer. Rokuchoshi has proven they can deliver high quality across the range, so I’m curious to see how their more everyday options hold up—especially after tasting how refined and consistent their aged or special releases are.
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Rokuchoshi continues to impress with thoughtful, well-made rice shōchū that feels special without being over the top. Whether it’s the oak-aged depth, cherry-vanilla richness, or just clean drinkability, everything I’ve tried has been enjoyable and worth keeping around. Looking forward to the Kumamoto visit and clearing shelf space for more from this distillery. A very satisfying end to the set—definitely a producer worth following.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Bottle Tag
Name: 六調子 7年熟成 Rokuchōshi 7yr
Type: 米焼酎 Rice shōchū
常圧蒸留: 常圧蒸留 (Atmospheric)
Ingredients:
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米 Rice,
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米麹（国産）Rice Koji (Domestic)
Alcohol: 25%
In the bottle: Maybe not as bold as some other bottles, but you still get a really nice range of cocoa, vanilla, caramel, and toasted rice—familiar beats I’ve come to expect from Rokuchōshi. While not uncharted territory in terms of profile, the nose is really fragrant and inviting, which is exactly what you want in a reasonably priced shōchū. It’s clean, warm, and welcoming, setting up a good expectation for the glass.
On the rocks: Amazing burnt caramel hits first, with soft vanilla on the back end, followed by toasted rice and sweeter, slightly grainy notes that remind me of Oh’s cereal (or at least my memory of it). Overall, Rokuchōshi is incredibly smooth and easy to drink on the rocks. The subtle sweetness balances out the initial sharpness of the burnt caramel, making this something you can go back to again and again without getting tired.
Straight: Beautifully smooth. This 7-year Rokuchōshi strikes a nice balance between sharp and sweet—the burnt caramel leans sharp, while vanilla fills in the sweet side. The finish is quite nice, with soft cocoa and vanilla flavors that hang around for a bit before fading into toasted rice and that distinct Rokuchōshi rice shōchū character. It’s refined, easy to sip slowly, and lets the aging show through in a clean, enjoyable way.
Enjoy on-the-rocks or straight
Reflections on this shōchū
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Picked this up for 1,600 JPY at Seijo Ishii in Gotanda Station—what a steal. I had wanted to try it for a while, but the local shop near me only had the 1.8L bottle at 2,700 JPY. That’s also a great price, but with nearly 100 bottles already on my shelf, I try to avoid the bigger bottles.
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Another great bottle from Rokuchōshi. With this 7-year release, I’ve now tried a good portion of what they have on offer, and every single one has been exceptional. The consistency is impressive—refined, balanced, and full of character without ever feeling overdone. This one delivers the classic Rokuchōshi hallmarks: rich burnt caramel, vanilla, toasted rice, and subtle cherry notes, all wrapped in smooth, mature smoothness from the aging.
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At this price point for 7 years of age, it’s outstanding value—smooth enough to sip neat, layered enough to enjoy on the rocks, and versatile enough to keep coming back to. Rokuchōshi keeps raising the bar with their aged rice shōchū, and this bottle is another strong reminder why they’re one of my favorite producers right now. Definitely a keeper, and I’ll be watching for more of their lineup when shelf space opens up. Highly recommended if you see it at a reasonable price—easy to enjoy and hard to put down.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Bottle Tag
Name: 圓 En
Type: 米焼酎 Rice shōchū
蒸留方法: 常圧蒸留 (Atmospheric)
Ingredients:
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米 Rice,
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米麹（国産）Rice Koji (Domestic)
Alcohol: 40%
In the bottle: Silky caramel, vanilla, apple compote, and really beautiful toasted rice notes lead the nose, followed by cherry and subtle oak that tie everything together nicely. After a little breathing time, some cereal notes emerge—almost like Cinnamon Toast Crunch or Oh’s—which adds another layer. Overall, very enjoyable: rich, warm, and layered without being heavy, building strong anticipation for the glass.
On the rocks: Wow—beautifully intense from the first drop. There’s a perfect blend of caramel, vanilla, and apple compote, and with En everything just comes together magically in absolute harmony. It’s only January 7th, and this already feels like a top-3 contender for 2024. En drinks incredibly smooth, especially after the ice melts a bit and the sweeter notes rise to the surface. For 40% alcohol, you’re hard-pressed to notice it beyond a really nice warming sensation on the way down—which makes this a bit on the dangerous side.
Diluted with water:
4:1 ratio: With a little water, En becomes even smoother. The core impact notes from on the rocks are still present, just lighter, which lets some other subtler flavors come forward—the strongest being cocoa. This smoother profile made me want to try a dark chocolate pairing right away.
Paired with dark chocolate: Wow—I tried shōchū and chocolate a few times during Shochu Street in Kagoshima last year, and it paired as well as Scotch or Port. This time, the bitterness of the chocolate blended with En produces some interesting peanut and nougat notes—actually reminds me of a PayDay bar without the salt from the peanuts. Really worth giving this pairing a try; the shōchū adds warmth and depth to the cocoa without overpowering it.
Enjoy on the rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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Rokuchoshi is just on another level. The price is certainly high, but if you’re open to spending a bit more—okay, maybe a lot more (4,500 JPY)—it is well worth the entry price. The quality, refinement, and depth you get from their aged releases make the cost feel justified every time.
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En pairs really well with dark chocolate. I was in Kagoshima last year at Shochu Street, and there was a vendor selling chocolate who said it paired well with sweet potato shochu—and it really did, so I have been trying to pair ever since. The chocolate and shōchū brought out layers in each other that I hadn’t expected. It reminds me that I should try pairing more often; it’s an easy way to turn a simple pour into something more special.
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Can’t say enough about Rokuchoshi—what an amazing distillery with some absolutely amazing bottles. They’re certainly a bit on the pricey side, but well worth it if it’s in your budget. The consistency across their range, the thoughtful aging, and the way they balance richness with drinkability make them stand out. En is a perfect example: silky caramel-vanilla, apple compote brightness, toasted rice depth, and subtle cherry-oak support—all delivered with exceptional smoothness at 40% ABV. It drinks beautifully neat (elegant and focused), on the rocks (intense yet harmonious), and with light dilution (opens the chocolate notes nicely).
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If you’re looking to step up to something more refined and mature in the rice shōchū category, Rokuchoshi is hard to beat. En feels like a treat every time—whether solo, with chocolate, or just as a quiet evening pour. Definitely a distillery worth prioritizing when the budget allows. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates aged, layered shōchū that rewards slow enjoyment.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Name: 特吟六調子11年 Tokujin Rokuchōshi 11yr
Type: 米焼酎 Rice shōchū
蒸留方法: 常圧蒸留 (Atmospheric)
Ingredients:
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米 Rice,
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米麹（国産）Rice Koji (Domestic)
Alcohol: 35%
In the bottle: As soon as you open Tokujin Rokuchōshi, a wave of intense burnt caramel, vanilla, and toasted rice pours out and just makes you smile. One thing is clear: what’s in the bottle is something special. At 35% alcohol you’d expect it to be more pronounced on the nose, but it’s nearly invisible until you really put your nose in there—and even then it’s very subtle. The overall impression is rich, inviting, and full of promise.
On the rocks: The intense caramel, vanilla, and toasted rice come shining through, joined by chocolate notes that remind me of ganache. Tokujin Rokuchōshi could easily feel overly sweet, but everything balances so nicely and never becomes heavy in the mouth. As the ice melts, the richness mellows a bit and the caramel, vanilla, and chocolate coalesce into something magical that makes you want to go back for a second glass. It’s smooth, layered, and incredibly enjoyable over ice.
水割り Diluted with water
4:1 ratio: I enjoyed this so much on the rocks that I never really got around to trying it diluted. I do regret not trying it neat in the glass or with some chocolate, as all the bottles I’ve had from Rokuchōshi have been absolutely amazing.
Enjoy on the rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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Tokujin Rokuchōshi is another standout from this lineup—rich burnt caramel, vanilla, toasted rice, and chocolate notes that come together in a smooth, balanced way.
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The 35% ABV adds gentle warmth without ever dominating. On the rocks is the sweet spot: the flavors open beautifully, mellow with melting ice, and stay inviting from start to finish. It’s the kind of bottle that feels special without trying too hard—perfect for savoring slowly or sharing.
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Rokuchōshi continues to deliver exceptional rice shōchū, and this one is no exception. A great pick if you enjoy aged, caramel-vanilla-driven styles—highly enjoyable and easy to recommend.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Bottle Tag
Name: 恍吟六調子30と10ブレンド Kōgin Rokuchōshi Blend 30yr & 10yr
Type: 米焼酎 Rice shōchū
蒸留方法: 常圧蒸留 (Atmospheric)
Ingredients:
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米 Rice,
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米麹（国産）Rice Koji (Domestic)
Alcohol: 40%
In the bottle: Beautiful oak on the nose right away, followed by a light cherry fragrance that expands into something deeper and more dessert-like—reminds me of a dark cherry tart or cherries jubilee. Other fruity notes appear too, like raisins and candied dates, adding a little more depth. The overall aroma is rich, warm, and layered without being heavy, building nice anticipation for the glass.
On the rocks: At first, what hits the palate could easily be confused for Scotch whisky—the oak sits so nicely on the tongue, feeling both familiar and fresh at the same time. After the first sip settles, a wash of beautiful aged rice shōchū pours in: vanilla, cherry, oak, a little chocolate, and custard. All these flavors come together in perfect harmony, making it really smooth and easy to drink. With the 30- and 10-year blend, Kogin Rokuchōshi begs to be enjoyed slowly—the finish lingers nicely and makes the perfect nightcap.
Straight: Beautiful, slightly sweet, and full of smooth oaky goodness. Kogin neat in the glass has everything you could want from an oak-aged rice shōchū and a little more. There’s a great finish that sticks around for a while, flowing back and forth between oaky and sweet. It would be nice if they released a full-aged non-blended version someday—I’d really like to taste this in all its aged perfection.
Enjoy straight or on-the-rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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Another spectacular bottle from Rokuchōshi—this one was an online exclusive and worth every penny (in this case around 6,000 JPY). The quality, maturity, and refinement are outstanding, and it feels like a real step up even within their already strong lineup.
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Not much to say other than if you can get your hands on a bottle and are willing to pay a bit more, do not hesitate. It delivers on every level: rich, layered, smooth, and deeply satisfying—exactly what you hope for from an aged, limited-release shōchū.
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I purchased a range of bottles, and with a number of these open now, I can clearly say Rokuchōshi is one of my favorite distilleries. The consistency across their range—from everyday pours to these special aged ones—is impressive, and the attention to detail shows in every sip. I need to plan a road trip to visit in 2024 to see the place in person and stock up on more.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Name: 六調子13年 Rokuchōshi 13yr
Type: 米焼酎 Rice shōchū
常圧蒸留: 常圧蒸留 (Atmospheric)
Ingredients:
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米 Rice,
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米麹（国産）Rice Koji (Domestic)
Alcohol: 28%
In the bottle: Slightly sharp at first, with a nice oaky undertone full of dried fruit (apricots and cherries) and a heavier sweetness that reminds me of brown sugar or fruit syrup. After a bit of swirling, Rokuchōshi 13-year opens up with raisin and chocolate notes, along with a much stronger cherry that feels like candied cherry covered in dark chocolate. Very inviting as an after-dinner drink—rich, layered, and full of mature character.
On the rocks: Picked this up when I visited Rokuchōshi in April this year—excellent bottle to take away (mostly because I had already tried everything else they offer). Interestingly, this one ebbs and flows between fresh and light to rich and heavy, but what stays consistent is that really beautiful oak that ties everything together. Compared to a lot of the other bottles I’ve tried from Rokuchōshi, the alcohol here is only 28%, which definitely contributes to the lighter feel. Overall, another great bottle to enjoy and compare against a very large catalog of unique oak-aged rice shōchū.
Straight: I really like Rokuchōshi on the rocks, but it is hard to deny that this is just better neat in the glass. The 13-year version drinks like a whiskey, just a bit lighter due to the lower alcohol content—but what it lacks in heat it makes up for in pure flavor. The oak comes across fresh and is well balanced against the sweeter backing notes, which continue with dried fruits and a bit of cherry chocolate. The only lacking point is the finish, which here fades quite quickly. I even went back for a second glass and tasting just to make sure I wasn’t overlooking it. Other than that, this is a great way to enjoy this aged shōchū.
Paired with dark chocolate: Kaldi 70% chocolate. This is not the first time I’ve tried Rokuchōshi bottles paired with chocolate, and just like the others, all I can say is WOW. At first the combination is a bit too intense; however, once it calms down, the chocolate explodes with rich cocoa decadence backed by an intense cherry liqueur note. This makes it a great after-dinner sweet—cohesive, indulgent, and well-balanced. The shōchū’s oak and fruit lift the cocoa without overpowering it.
Enjoy on the rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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Rokuchōshi 13-year is a refined, oak-aged rice shōchū that delivers mature depth with cherry, dried fruit, vanilla, chocolate, and toasted rice notes.
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The 28% ABV keeps it light and approachable, while the aging adds richness and harmony. On the rocks it shows balance and evolution; neat it highlights smoothness and flavor purity; light dilution would likely soften the intensity nicely.
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A standout bottle—rich yet drinkable, perfect for slow sipping or special occasions. Another strong release from Rokuchōshi, proving their consistency and quality. Highly enjoyable and easy to recommend, especially if you appreciate aged rice shōchū with dessert-like warmth.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Bottle Tag
Name: とろしかや Toroshikaya
Type: 米/麦焼酎 Rice/Wheat shōchū
常圧蒸留: 常圧蒸留 (Atmospheric)
Ingredients:
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米 Rice
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米麹（国産）Rice Koji (Domestic)
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麦 (オーストラリア) Wheat (Australia)
Alcohol: 28%
In the bottle: Just amazing. Toroshikaya is rich, deep, and sweet in all the right ways, with a burnt caramel that blooms and pours from the bottle, pushing you to get it in the glass for that first sip. This slightly proofed-down version (28% ABV) has some different things going on compared to the genshu. The cherry and vanilla are still there but not as intense; instead, the custard and burnt caramel come really up front, giving it a strong dessert vibe. The nose is warm, inviting, and full of mature sweetness.
On the rocks: Intense vanilla and burnt caramel on the first sip—simply amazing. Toroshikaya is so smooth and the perfect drink to sip on an unexpectedly hot night in October. There’s a bit less cherry and dried fruits than the genshu version, but they’re certainly there, especially the dried apricots that add nice depth against the richer notes. Overall, this is a really nice bottle to enjoy, though I think the genshu version holds up a bit better on the rocks with its higher proof.
Straight: It’s like a burnt caramel dream. If there was ever a shōchū that should be used in some type of dessert, Toroshikaya is that one. After the initial caramel impact, you get a really nice sweet finish that makes it something you can truly enjoy neat in the glass. At only 28%, it’s more accessible than the higher-proof version. Aside from that, this has everything I’ve come to expect from Rokuchōshi: smooth, clean, clear, and the perfect drink to sip on a cool night (it’s the middle of October and still low 30s in Hiroshima—have to wait a while more...).
Paired with dark chocolate: First try: Single-origin 85% cacao chocolate I picked up recently in Vietnam. The chocolate is really intense—almost too intense—and would probably fare better with a slightly sweeter chocolate. Not bad, but not as good as I expected.
Second try: Tony’s Chocolonely 70% cacao. Much better and actually quite amazing. I guess you can go too bitter with the chocolate pairing. This time the chocolate has a beautiful intensity, and the 28% alcohol does a great job expanding the flavors by adding nice vanilla, cherry, and a bit of custard on the back end. A very successful pairing that brings out richness and harmony.
Enjoy on the rocks or neat
Reflections on this shōchū
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Toroshikaya is a refined, slightly proofed-down aged rice shōchū from Rokuchōshi that leans into dessert-like richness: burnt caramel, vanilla, custard, cherry, and subtle dried fruit, all supported by smooth oak influence.
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At 28% ABV it’s approachable and easy to drink, with the lower proof letting the sweeter, creamier notes shine without overwhelming heat. On the rocks it’s warm and layered; neat it’s silky and indulgent; light dilution would likely keep it balanced.
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A standout for those who enjoy mature, dessert-forward rice shōchū—perfect as a nightcap or treat.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Bottle Tag
Name: 特吟六調子11年黒 Tokujin Rokuchoshi 11yr
Type: 米焼酎 Rice shōchū
常圧蒸留: 常圧蒸留 (Atmospheric)
Ingredients:
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米 Rice,
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米麹（国産）Rice Koji (Domestic)
Alcohol: 20%
In the bottle: Incredibly ripe fruit is the first thing that comes to mind along with cherry tobacco and a bit of oak, very fragrant right out of the bottle. Along with these stronger notes, you can find a mix of dried fruits like dates and raisin, a syrupy sweetness and just a hint of vanilla. Considering this is a proved down bottle, Tokujin Rokuchoshi still packs quite a punch and overall while this sits a bit heavy in the bottle, considering every other bottle by Rokuchoshi has been amazing, the anticipations remains quite high.
On the rocks: PP
Straight: Almost a bit too smooth, the proofed down Tokujin at 20% is considerably softer and is missing a bit of that bite that comes with the 35% ABV version. That is not to say this is bad by any stretch as a lot of what shows ups on the nose comes through neat in the glass, especially the cherry and oak notes which still hold well but lose a lot of that impact and punch.
Paired with dark chocolate: Kal