Distillery: 高田酒造場 Takata Shuzōjyo
Address: 28-2 Tamachi, Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Website: https://www.takata-shuzohjyo.co.jp/recommended/asagiri/
Additional Content: There is a short introduction from JETRO Global Channel on Takata Shuzojyo distillery that gives a nice behind the scenes view of the process of making rice shōchū,it is in Japanese with English subtitles.
Name: あさぎりの花 Asagiri no hana
Type: 米焼酎 Rice shōchū
Ingredients:
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米ヒノヒカリの新米100％ Hinohikari new rice
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米麹(熊本産) Rice, Rice Koji (Kumamoto)
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Special Ingredient:ナデシコの花酵母 Dianthus Flower Yeast
Alcohol: 25%
In the bottle: The nose is floral but not overpowering, and matches perfectly with a smooth rice scent that is slightly sweet and warming. The end results is a shōchū that feels refined and produced with great effort and care.
Straight: Surprisingly smooth, but the is a little sharpness at the edges which prevents some of the more subtle notes from shining. There is a hint of alcohol at the end that is warming and pleasant. While I prefer it on the rocks, straight is certainly a nice way to enjoy Asagiri no hana.
On the rocks: This is where it really opens ups, the first taste that comes to mind is rum raisin, followed by a subtle chocolatey licorice (very subtle) which then gives way to the more floral and rice notes. This drinks so smooth and light, that you need to be a little careful not to over indulge.
水割り Diluted with water
4:1, 3:2 ratio, Asagiri no hana really holds up well here, while it loses some of the intensity; that beautiful combination of floral and rice stays up front making for a very enjoyable drink to sip.
2:3 ratio, Didn't get the chance to try at this ratio.
Enjoy straight or on the rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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A very accessible entry into the world of Kuma shōchū (球磨焼酎) that is soft, refined and very unique.
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This bottle was so enjoyable on the rocks and perfect for sipping on a hot summer night.
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Asagiri no hana has a mid-range price point, I think I paid around 2000 JPY, so, it's a bit more than a typical bottle but really worth it. (Monogatari has a 105 ml bottle)
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I look forward to trying a few other bottles from Takata in the coming months.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
