鶴空 Tsurusora Premium

In the bottle: The nose opens with smooth, fresh vanilla—more crisp than damp—accompanied by subtle caramel notes toward the close. Sweet potato appears grain-forward, with hints of toasted rice and wheat creating a pleasant, well-rounded impression. As it opens with air, floral elements emerge prominently, led by lavender, making the aroma highly inviting and layered.

On the rocks: Intensely floral from the start—lavender, honeysuckle, and wildflowers burst across the palate, providing a striking contrast to the nose’s richer caramel, vanilla, and faint ethanol tones. After a short rest, the florals soften, allowing vanilla and caramel to appear gently without dominating. At 35% ABV, the alcohol is clearly present and warming but never intrusive. The finish adds nice depth with lingering candied orange and black pepper notes.

Straight: Surprisingly mellow compared to expectations. Floral notes remain powerful yet restrained, never overwhelming the palate. Sweetness arrives early with supporting vanilla and caramel. The finish stands out particularly well: candied orange persists alongside the warm 35% alcohol glow, delivering a balanced and enjoyable close.

​​

​

鶴空 Tsurusora 50/50

In the bottle: Warm and smooth on entry, with vanilla and custard sweetness settling in upfront before easing into subtle wildflower and lavender hints. Overall, a strong and appealing start. A deeper sniff reveals just a pinch of 30% alcohol, but it stays well in the background—keeping the profile fresh and immediately drinkable.

On the rocks: Less overtly floral than the Premium, though traces remain. Caramel, toasted rice, vanilla, and earthy notes take the lead, striking an excellent balance between sweet and dry. The finish is particularly pleasant: sweeter elements fade gradually, with the alcohol providing lift and space for flavors to expand. As the ice melts, dryness recedes slightly, allowing sweetness to regain prominence and giving the glass more life over time. Among the three, this version offers the best overall drinkability and remains my personal favorite in the set.

Straight: Exceptionally smooth and sweetly expressive. Caramel, toasted rice, and vanilla shine alongside a pronounced earthy side, making this a delicious and highly enjoyable neat pour. Despite the 30% ABV, it feels surprisingly soft and light rather than heavy.

​

鶴空 Tsurusora 

In the bottle: Fresh and crisp at first, opening with a slightly woody note reminiscent of a freshly broken tree branch. Deeper in, cherry and vanilla appear, evoking a subtle cherry cola vibe. As the last of the three sampled, it highlighted just how distinct each expression is despite sharing the same base ingredients—an intriguing observation across the lineup. 

On the rocks: The first sip brings welcoming sweet grain notes, with familiar flavors blending in harmony. These remind me strongly of Oh’s cereal: perfectly balanced oats, toasted rice, sweet vanilla, and caramel. It makes for an easy, enjoyable evening sipper. After significant ice melt, sweetness fades noticeably, shifting toward a drier profile with a shorter finish—opposite to the 50/50, which started dry and grew sweeter.

Straight: Smooth with sharper sweet grain character on the palate. Vanilla, caramel, and a touch of cocoa ride out nicely on the finish, making this a solid and satisfying neat option.

​

Comparison Summary: All three share clean, high-quality sweet potato character with layered vanilla/caramel/toasted notes. The differences come from ABV and blending (50/50 being a split mash or dilution style that enhances fruitiness per some awards info). Great lineup for exploring nuance in premium imo shōchū—especially if you enjoy floral, cereal, or balanced sweet-dry profiles.