Distillery: 恒松酒造 Tsunematsu Shuzō
Address: 1022 Taragi, Kuma District, Kumamoto 868-0501
Website: http://tsunematsu-shuzo.com
Additional Content: There is a short video on their production, which was more like a commercial for another Tessho another potato shōchū.
Name: 古酒王道楽土 Koshu Ōdō Rakudo (3yr)
Type: 芋焼酎 Sweet Potato Shōchū
蒸留方法: 単式蒸留 (Atmospheric)
Ingredients:
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黄金千貫 Golden Sengen
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黒麹 Black Rice Koji (Domestic)
Alcohol: 30%
Enjoy on the rocks
In the bottle: Sweetness takes center stage on the nose—thick and prominent, with hints of candied fruit syrup and slightly damp hay. The profile feels full and mature, with black koji's influence evident in the pleasant pungency. Alcohol (30% ABV) is subdued, allowing these richer notes to dominate without interference. Overall, the aroma is heavy yet inviting, setting high expectations for that first sip.
On the rocks: Strong and sweet from the first sip, with black pepper prickliness, vanilla, caramel, and toasted rice delivering a full, rich mouthfeel. The back of the throat and tongue carry a gentle tingle that adds lift. Aging contributes impressive depth, though expected clay/earthy notes from extended storage remain subtle or absent. Sweet potato stays central and well-integrated, making this thick yet balanced and highly enjoyable over ice—perfect for contemplative sipping on cooler evenings.
水割り Diluted with water
4:1 ratio: Sweetness mellows considerably, resulting in a fresher, lighter mouthfeel while preserving vanilla, caramel, and toasted rice on the palate. An interesting bitterness emerges—reminiscent of spring greens—adding complexity and balance. The profile becomes smoother and more approachable without losing core character.
2:3 Ratio: Holds up surprisingly well at higher dilution. Intense sweet notes smooth down to a full-bodied but not heavy impression. Impact elements (especially black pepper) soften noticeably, but the overall drinkability remains solid—suitable for extended sessions or stretching the bottle, though lighter ratios better retain vibrancy.
Reflections on this shōchū
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This bottle carried a bit of a high price tag, but when compared to what one might spend on a decent bottle of Scotch, 2,500 JPY feels quite reasonable for a 3-year-aged potato shōchū genshu. The quality, depth, and maturity justify the cost—especially for an bottle that delivers genuine aging character without venturing into ultra-premium territory.
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That distinctive bitterness—reminiscent of spring greens like those served with tempura soba in the season—stands out as a particularly appealing element. It adds a fresh, vegetal counterpoint to the richness, and the combination makes me think this would pair beautifully with spring tempura soba: the shōchū’s sweet depth complementing the crisp batter and greens, while the bitterness echoes the soba’s earthy notes.
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Overall, I really enjoyed this bottle. It’s full of rewarding layers—deep roasted sweet potato, mature vanilla-caramel, subtle floral/earthy accents, and that spring-green bitterness—but it’s also a “got-to-be-in-the-mood” shōchū. The pronounced sweetness and thicker mouthfeel make it ideal for slower sipping rather than casual all-night drinking. When the mood aligns (especially on cooler evenings), it shines.
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Both on the rocks and diluted with water offered great tasting experiences. On the rocks emphasizes the richness and depth while letting the flavors evolve as ice melts; light dilution (4:1) freshens it up and highlights the bitterness and toasted rice without losing core character. Higher dilution (2:3) smooths things further but softens some of the impact notes. Versatile enough to suit different moods and occasions, yet distinctive enough to feel special.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Name: かなた Kanata
Type: 米焼酎 Rice Shōchū
常圧蒸留: 減圧蒸留 (Vacuum Distillation)
Ingredients:
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米（球磨産）Rice
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米麹（球磨産米）Rice Koji
Alcohol: 21%
Enjoy on the rocks
In the bottle: The aroma is strikingly sweet yet pleasantly pungent in a refined manner. Kanata evokes the classic profile of premium sake, with pronounced fruity notes dominating the bouquet. Prominent peach, lychee, and syrupy tropical fruits emerge prominently, tempered by a subtle hint of licorice that provides balance and prevents excessive sweetness. Although not technically a sake kasu shochu, its aromatic profile strongly recalls one. The overall nose is bold, inviting, and sets high expectations for the palate.
On the rocks: If you like sake-forward rice shochu, Kanata delivers exceptionally well. The sweet fruit character from the nose carries through strongly, complemented by soft cacao and a delicate licorice undertone that adds depth and complexity. Despite not being a true sake kasu or kasutori shochu, it drinks remarkably like one. The primary drawback is that dilution from melting ice quickly diminishes the vibrant intensity that defines Kanata's appeal.
Straight: Remarkably smooth and light, with a refreshing quality that highlights a broad spectrum of sake-like flavors. The most prominent notes include chocolate, vanilla, and syrupy fruits, creating a harmonious and elegant profile. At 21% ABV—only 5–6% higher than typical sake—Kanata offers a drinking experience closely akin to premium sake. (Note: This was evaluated at room temperature; chilling may further enhance its refreshing character.)
Paired with Chocolate: When paired with Tony's 70% dark chocolate, Kanata beautifully amplifies the cacao, layering in a refined background of vanilla and sake-derived nuances. The result is rich and deeply satisfying without excessive sweetness, yielding an exceptionally harmonious and recommended pairing.
Reflections on this shōchū
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This bottle carried a bit of a high price tag, but when compared to what one might spend on a decent bottle of Scotch, 2,500 JPY feels quite reasonable for a 3-year-aged potato shōchū genshu.
Name: 球磨拳 Kumaken
Type: 米焼酎 Rice Potato Shōchū
蒸留方法: 減圧蒸留 (Vacuum Distillation)
Ingredients:
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米(国産) Rice (Domestic)
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米麹(国産) Rice Koji (Domestic)
Alcohol: 25%
Enjoy on the rocks
In the bottle: Wintergreen Lifesavers, again... While not the first time to find this interesting component, for Kumaken this is really front and center and makes me crave a cold autumn New England night, especially as it is still 38 degrees here in Hiroshima. Aside from that there are some really nice cherry tobacco, oak, toasted rice and candied vanilla notes that rise to the surface once this opens up a bit. Overall, this is perfect Kumamoto shochu (球磨焼酎) and I really can't wait to get this in the glass.
On the rocks: There is certainly something special in the glass, Kumaken is soft, fresh and again a bit wintergreen lifesaver forward. Once the ice melts a bit, a lot of what was on the nose and neat in the glass really start to rise forward, especially that cherry tobacco note and sweet vanilla that adds some nice balance to everything that is going on. A little deeper in, there are some interesting rice and almost Sake like flavors that develop, what is nice is that these carry over to the finish and really bring this entire expereince together.
Straight: Soft, delicate and still has that Wintergreen Lifesaver vibe to it, once you get past that, wow is this good, sweet vanilla, toasted rice, cherry, oak and bit of something that reminds me of baking spice or buttery cinnamon, absolutely amazing. Kumen is ridiculously smooth, especially after a few sips and while I have probably said this before, this is one of the best rice shochu I have ever had neat in the glass, hands down.
Paired with Chocolate: Malaysian single origin dark chocolate. Wow, that is like mint chocolate, with a side of dark chocolate ganache, so amazing. The shochu does a really great job of expanding the cacao by adding some interesting depth and, that wintergreen Lifesaver is something I never new I wanted in a finish before. The only thing that would make this better would be having this on a cold winter night, instead of a hot late summer evening, still quite amazing.