Distillery: 松の泉酒造 Matsunoizumi Shuzō

Address: 169-1 Uekita, Asagiri, Kuma District, Kumamoto 868-0422

Website: https://www.matsunoizumi.co.jp/

Additional Content: There is a short introduction to Matsunoizumi and this amazing shochu as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvFTbwH2dW8

Name: 古蔵2002年謹製 Kokura 2002 Vintage

Type: 米焼酎 Rice shōchū
常圧蒸留: 常圧蒸留 (Atmospheric)

Ingredients:

米 Rice
米麹（国産）Rice Koji (Domestic)

Alcohol: 35%

In the bottle: A nice slightly sharp rice shōchū nose at the start. Once it calms down, you get a good sense of what to expect in the bottle—all the big notes are there: vanilla, caramel, custard, and something that reminds me of vanilla orange soda. Overall, this feels refined, fresh, and ready to be enjoyed in the glass.

On the rocks: Unbelievably smooth—almost creamy—with big notes of vanilla and burnt caramel. It drinks so cleanly that it’s hard to feel the 35% alcohol. The amber hue in the glass gives the impression of oak aging (though I couldn’t find anything online to support this), but I don’t catch any specific oaky notes, so not sure where that comes from. Still, the overall experience is rich, balanced, and very enjoyable over ice.

水割り Diluted with water

4:1 ratio: Kokura on the rocks is already smooth, and with a little water it almost smooths out too much—all of the defining notes become too soft. The vanilla, caramel, and custard lose some of their presence, making this feel less vibrant than on the rocks.

Paired with chocolate: Now that is a beautiful pairing. Those nice vanilla and caramel notes blend into a perfect balance with the semi-dark chocolate, reminding me of a dark chocolate ganache with hints of citrus. Paired with an 80% dark chocolate, it becomes so rich and velvety—this would make a great secret ingredient in a chocolate cake.

Enjoy on-the-rocks

Reflections on this shōchū

This was one of the first bottles I bought at Monogatari in Tokyo, recommended by the young guy behind the counter. While it took me a little over a year to open it, it proved to be a key reason why I always try to stop by when I’m in town. The shop consistently has interesting bottles and knowledgeable staff, and this one was a perfect example.
Definitely one of the best bottles I’ve opened in a long time. It hits every beat you could want in a rice shōchū: amazingly smooth, packed full of huge notes of caramel, vanilla, and toasted rice. The balance is spot-on—rich without being heavy, warm without being boozy, and clean enough to keep you coming back for more sips. It’s the kind of bottle that feels special but still approachable, making it easy to enjoy over multiple evenings.
It’s tough with some of these bottles when you can’t find a lot of information on them. The amber hue certainly gives the impression of barrel storage, but I didn’t catch a lot of the typical oak notes (tannins, spice, or heavy woodiness). Just wish there was a little more information available—age, barrel type, or even the rice variety would help put it in context. Still, the liquid speaks for itself: smooth, layered, and very well-made.
A standout rice shōchū that shows why Monogatari is worth visiting—great staff picks, hidden gems, and bottles that exceed expectations. Highly enjoyable, smooth, and packed with caramel-vanilla-toasted rice character that makes it a keeper. If you see something similar recommended there, grab it—you won’t regret it. Already planning my next stop in Tokyo to see what else they have.