Distillery: 太久保酒造 Okubo Shuzō
Address: 1319-83 Onomi, Matsuyamacho, Shibushi City, Kagoshima
Website: https://ookuboshuzo.com/
Additional Content: There is nothing in English but there is a 16 part series on making potato shōchū, each video around 30 minutes each with lots of information.
Name: 杜の妖精 Mori no Yousei
Type: 焼芋焼酎 Roasted Potato shōchū
Potato: さつま芋 Sweet Potato
Ingredients:
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さつま芋(鹿児島県産)
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米麹 Sweet Potato, Rice Koji
Alcohol: 25%
Enjoy straight or on-the-rocks
In the bottle: The nose is clean and surprisingly reserved, keeping much of the shōchū’s character under wraps. A deeper inhale reveals subtle earthy tones and light damp hay notes that hint at the weight and depth to come on the palate. While more aromatic carry-through from the beautiful flavors inside would have been welcome, the restraint only heightens anticipation for what will be in the glass.
On the rocks: From the first sip, roasted sweet potato bursts forward—big, bold, and unapologetically upfront. Sweetness hits strongly at the start before easing into sublime smoothness. A faint but distinct fire-roasted, almost charcoal-like note lingers on the finish, adding a subtle smoky edge that enhances the overall experience without dominating the softer sweet potato that carries through to the end.
Straight: Mori no Yousei strikes an excellent balance when served straight—never overpowering, yet full of presence. Bold roasted sweet potato leads the charge upfront, paired perfectly with gentle earthy undertones that emerge toward the finish. The profile evokes warm summer evenings: Japanese-style BBQ, cracking open hot roasted sweet potatoes with family at the end of the night. It’s an inviting, nostalgic pour that encourages slow sipping.
水割り Diluted with water
4:1 ratio: Exceptionally smooth and easy-drinking. The initial punch softens considerably, allowing subtler notes to emerge more clearly. While still pleasant, the dilution mutes some of the vibrancy and roasted intensity that define the shōchū. For the fullest appreciation of its bold yet refined character, straight or on the rocks remains the ideal way to enjoy Mori no Yousei.
Reflections on this shōchū
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Next time we fire up the BBQ, I definitely want to pair this with some freshly roasted sweet potatoes. The roasted, earthy profile in the glass seems like a natural match, and I’m curious to see how the flavors align in real time.
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This was easily one of the standout bottles I opened in 2023. Its exceptional balance and smoothness set it apart from most roasted sweet potato shōchū—few achieve this level of refinement without losing character. It’s going to be tough to resist opening another bottle this year.
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I’m already looking forward to revisiting it and exploring whatever else the distillery has to offer.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Name: 安納いも Anno Sweet Potato
Type: 焼芋焼酎 Roasted Potato shōchū
Potato: 安納芋 Sweet Potato
Ingredients:
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安納芋(鹿児島県産) Anno Sweet Potato (Kagoshima)
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米麹 Sweet Potato, Rice Koji
Alcohol: 25%
Enjoy straight or on-the-rocks
In the bottle: Soft and subtle on the nose, with gentle hints of lavender, toasted rice, vanilla, and a touch of damp hay. The hay note feels slightly heavy at first but never becomes off-putting or dominant. A pleasant sweetness effectively masks the alcohol, allowing the lighter floral and grain elements to emerge briefly before the sweeter profile settles in.
On the rocks: Baked sweet potato sweetness takes clear center stage—rich and inviting, but far from cloying. It pairs well with a prickly black pepper note on the back palate, then transitions smoothly into lighter vanilla, toasted rice, and faint baking spice tones. The overall impression is very enjoyable and well-balanced. That said, the pronounced sweetness makes it less ideal for extended all-night drinking.
水割り Diluted with water
4:1 ratio: Sweetness remains prominent but softens noticeably. The addition of water tames the black pepper prickliness, bringing forward more of the delicate vanilla and toasted rice notes. A subtle sharpness appears on the finish—something less evident on the rocks. While still pleasant, this dilution highlights why ice works particularly well here; the on-the-rocks version feels more complete and vibrant. (Note: neat in the glass was not tried or I just forgot...)
Reflections on this shōchū
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Even though Anno Imo leans heavily on the sweetness of the roasted potatoes it remains quite drinkable if you want to enjoy more than one glass; for me, it's a bit like a desert shōchū, I found myself enjoying this after dinner as something to sip and relax with
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Similar to the other bottles, the price range tends to be in the 1500 JPY level, putting it a bit over a typical bottle of shōchū
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Another solid offering from Ookubo, if you have not tried anything from this distillery, it is worth giving them a chance.
Bottle label and Information
Box
Name: 紫粋 Shisui
Type: 焼芋焼酎 Roasted Potato shōchū
Potato: さつま芋 Sweet Potato
Ingredients:
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さつま芋(鹿児島県産)
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白麹ゴールド White Gold Rice Koji
Alcohol: 25%
Enjoy straight or on-the-rocks
In the bottle: Initially quite neutral on the nose, but with patience and air, delicate floral and ripe fruit notes emerge toward the end. Biwa (loquat), peach, and grape stand out most clearly, accompanied by a subtle, earthy hint of wet hay that adds welcome complexity and grounding. Alcohol presence is very light, allowing these understated layers to shine through clearly when given time to develop.
On the rocks: The first sensation is a pleasant prickly black pepper hit at the back of the throat, quickly spreading across the palate and bringing forward the floral and fruity notes from the nose. As it opens further, lavender becomes noticeably prominent, pairing surprisingly well with the sharp, focused sweet potato character that carries cleanly through to a lingering finish. Overall, Shisui is an excellent choice for a hot summer evening—refreshing, layered, and perfect a hot summer evening especially if you are in the mood to drink more than one glass.
水割り Diluted with water
4:1 ratio: The on-the-rocks presentation was so enjoyable that I didn’t feel the need to dilute it further. Water would likely soften the vibrancy and prickliness that make this expression compelling. I also regret not trying it neat this time—definitely worth exploring straight on the next bottle to see how the fruit, floral, and sweet potato elements express without ice.
Reflections on this shōchū
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Shisui stands out as an excellent summer shōchū—floral and fruity with a well-judged balance of sweetness that keeps it refreshing and easy to enjoy on warm evenings.
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I’ve been consistently impressed with the Ookubo bottles I’ve tried so far. They span a nice range from sweeter to crisper expressions, and across the board, there’s a clear sense of care and quality in every sip.
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At around 1,700 JPY, this one sits a little above the typical everyday shōchū price point, but the refinement, balance, and overall drinking experience make the extra cost feel justified. A reliable and rewarding pick for anyone exploring higher-quality imo shōchū.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Name: 古酒侍士の門 3yr Samurai no Mon
Type: 焼芋焼酎 Roasted Potato shōchū
Potato: さつま芋 Sweet Potato
Ingredients:
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さつま芋(鹿児島県産)
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米麹 Sweet Potato, Rice Koji
Alcohol: 25%
In the bottle: The nose is big and bold, dominated by rich dried fruits—particularly raisins, dates, and prunes. A well-placed hint of vanilla weaves through the sweet notes and aged, mature sweet potato character, creating a cohesive and deeply enjoyable aroma that sets high expectations for the palate.
On the rocks: From the first sip, it’s clear you’re drinking something distinctive. The dried fruit explosion from the nose translates vividly to the palate, backed by an earthy clay-like finish that lingers with intensity. As the clay softens, it transitions to a slightly musty hay note—appealing in its complexity, though it may not suit every preference. Sweet potato remains firmly upfront, delivering a full-bodied, immersive experience. As one of the first aged sweet potato shōchū I’ve tried, it stands out strongly; if you have the opportunity, this is well worth exploring.
水割り Diluted with water
4:1 ratio: Like many intense bottles, Samurai no Mon benefits noticeably from light dilution. The clay notes mellow and integrate more smoothly with the dried fruits, while the pronounced sweetness retreats, leaving only a gentle trace of vanilla. The overall profile becomes more restrained and balanced—less overpowering, yet still expressive of its aged character.
Enjoy straight or on-the-rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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I have a bottle of the non-aged Samurai no Mon and plan to do a side-by-side comparison with the aged version to better understand exactly what the maturation brings to the profile—likely more of the dried fruit depth, vanilla integration, and that distinctive earthy/clay character seen in the aged expression.
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I’m still undecided on the ideal serving style for this one. On the rocks emphasizes the bold dried fruit and earthy intensity, while light dilution (especially 4:1 mizuwari) mellows the clay notes and lets the sweetness and fruit play a cleaner, more approachable role. Both deliver something worthwhile—it really comes down to mood, whether it’s one contemplative glass or two more relaxed pours.
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At over 3,000 JPY, this sits firmly in the higher-end range for shōchū, which could make it a tougher recommendation for someone just starting out in the category. That said, the quality and complexity justify the price for anyone already comfortable with premium imo expressions.
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Everything I’ve tried from Okubo Shuzo so far has been consistently impressive—refined, characterful, and well-crafted. With three more bottles still waiting to be opened, expect more notes and comparisons soon.
Bottle label and Information
Box
Back Label
Name: 侍士の門 Samurai no Mon
Type: 焼芋焼酎 Roasted Potato shōchū
Potato: さつま芋 Sweet Potato
Ingredients:
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さつま芋(鹿児島県産)
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米麹 Sweet Potato, Rice Koji
Alcohol: 25%
Enjoy straight or on-the-rocks
In the bottle: Less bold than the 3-year aged version, but still carries a beautiful, expressive nose. Dried fruit, vanilla, and clear sweet potato notes dominate, supported by a very subtle earthiness that adds gentle texture and tempers the sweeter elements. While not as intensely fragrant as some other Okubo expressions, it delivers a solid, promising impression that accurately previews the palate.
On the rocks: Bright and refreshing, with a distinctly sweet potato-forward profile that shines over ice. There’s just the right amount of bite to make it feel lively and thirst-quenching—ideal for a hot summer night (though it held up surprisingly well on a cold November evening in Hiroshima). Unlike the 3-year version, dried fruit notes are largely absent here. Instead, floral elements—primarily lavender and honeysuckle—open up as the ice melts, lending excellent drinkability and encouraging a second or third pour.
Straight: Incredibly smooth. The bright, crisp character seen on the rocks gives way to a sublime, well-judged sweetness that highlights the natural sweet potato without ever becoming heavy or cloying. The finish stands out particularly well: candied vanilla blends with subtle grainy cereal notes for a clean, enjoyable close. This non-aged version performs beautifully straight—definitely worth experiencing neat. (Note: I regret not trying the 3-year expression this way for direct comparison.) This non-aged Samurai no Mon offers a fresher, more floral and brighter take compared to its aged counterpart—still high quality and versatile across serving styles.
Reflections on this shōchū
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The standard Samurai no Mon shares many core characteristics with the 3-year aged version—dried fruit hints, vanilla, sweet potato foundation, and subtle earthiness—but the deeper, more mature layers are understandably less pronounced without the extended aging.
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What stands out most in this non-aged expression is its appealing freshness and clear sweet potato focus. It captures the pure, vibrant spirit of the raw ingredient in a direct and enjoyable way, making it feel lively and true to form.
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Serving it neat in the glass works exceptionally well here—the smoothness, sweetness, and bright potato character come through cleanly and reward slow sipping. It’s a shame I didn’t try the 3-year expression the same way; that side-by-side comparison would have highlighted the aging’s impact even more clearly.
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Overall, the standard version holds its own as a high-quality, approachable entry into Okubo Shuzo’s lineup—fresh where the aged is complex, and still very much worth having on the shelf.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
