In the bottle: Fresh sweet potato dominates on the nose, with a light touch of sweetness and excellent balance. After a little aeration, notes of mature vanilla emerge alongside a blend of syrupy and dried fruits, complemented by subtle grain and cereal aromas. Madako shows strong potential as an enjoyable sweet potato shochu, particularly if the freshness evident here carries through to what's in the glass.

On the rocks: The initial sip delivers a bold, roasted sweet potato like character—intense and fresh, with noticeable weight and a slight bite on the finish, comes across a bit like a potato koji or it could be the 30% ABV. As the ice melts and Madako opens, the aromatics from the nose become more prominent: dried fruits, cereal notes, and warm, mature vanilla provide a solid backbone to the persistent sweet potato freshness. This has been one of the standout bottles I've opened in 2025, and I would confidently recommend it to anyone who appreciates a full-bodied sweet potato shochu.

Straight: Exceptionally smooth, with the sweet potato profile striking an ideal balance between fresh, sharp, and sweet. Many of the nose's characteristics translate here, though the syrupy and dried fruit notes take a more prominent role behind the core sweet potato flavor. The finish is lingering and pleasant, offering waves of freshness and sweetness, making Madako an excellent choice for sipping neat.

Paired with Chocolate: Vietnamese single origin 70% dark chocolate, Madako enhances the chocolate's cacao intensity without introducing the cherry liqueur-like notes often found in sweet potato shochu pairings. Instead, it allows the chocolate to remain the focus while adding noticeable depth and complexity. This is a strong and successful pairing—the shochu amplifies what is already present in the chocolate rather than overshadowing it.