Distillery: 天吹酒造 Amabuki Shuzō
Address: 2894 Higashio, Miyaki-cho, Miyaki-gun, Saga
Website: https://www.amabuki.co.jp/en/
Additional Content: Short video in Japanese showing the production process for their sake, unfortunately it doesn't cover anything about this shōchū.
Name: 天吹粕取り Amabuki Kasutori
Type: 吟醸酒焼酎 Ginjo Sake Shōchū
蒸留方法: 単式蒸留 (Pot Distillation)
Ingredients:
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吟醸酒粕(国内製造 Ginjo Sake Lees
Alcohol: 25%
Enjoy on the rocks
In the bottle: Sweet and fragrant sake nose with a hint of melon and peach, there is also a slight hint of nectarine and wild flowers that brings everything together nicely. This being my first Sake Kasu Shochu, it is hard to escape the idea that it what is in the bottle has a much higher alcohol level, it just so smooth and the smell out of the bottle is intoxicating. Overall, what is in the bottle does a great job of preparing you for what you will find in the glass.
On the rocks: Unbelievable, this may be what I have been waiting for, as I still enjoy sake; however, it is just too easy to drink too much, with this Kasutori shochu, you get the sake flavors in a glass that you can sip at your own pace. Amabuki starts with a strong melon/peach flavor on the first sip that is intensified like a really strong sake, as this mellows out a bit, you get more of what is on the sweeter side with a few more of the syrupy sake notes coming to the surface. The finish has a mild alcohol tastes that lingers before evening out to more sake tones.
水割り Diluted with water
Ratio 4:1: The impact of the fruit flavors fades a bit and a little more the alcohol comes through, but still a very nice drink to sip. While not much lingers on the palate, what remains is clean and smooth.
Ratio 2:3: Most of what makes this shōchū so good is completely lost at this point, so not recommended.
Reflections on this shōchū
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This is the first time to try Kasutori shōchū, which is made from what is left after making sake, proving that there are still some many great bottles left to try.
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Coming across this bottle by way of introduction from a small shop owner in a small town almost in the middle of nowhere makes this an even more interesting find. A great way to enjoy a sake taste while drinking at a slower pace.
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The fruity melon/peach flavor makes this a perfect shōchū for hot summer evenings, seems like it work well mixed with soda water.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
天吹 吟醸粕取醪取り
元禄元年の創業以来、実り多い佐賀平野で収穫された酒米と脊振山系のまろやかな伏流水を原料として真摯に美酒を追求してきました。花酵母に象徴される「革新」と連綿と紡ぐ「伝統の技」が織りな酒は、 個性的でありながら華やかに香ります。 くつろぎの時間を香しい美酒とともに。
それが天吹の使命であり喜びです。
品目: 本格焼酎
内容量: 720ml
原材料名 : 吟醸酒粕(国内製造)
アルコール分:25度
製造者 : 天吹酒造合資会社
Distillery: 福光屋 Fukumitsuya
Address: 2-8-3 Ishibiki, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, 920-8638
Website: https://www.fukumitsuya.co.jp/
Additional Content: Nothing found at this time
Name: えじゃのんおんぼらぁと Ejanon Onboraato 1990
Type: 大吟醸酒粕(国産) Daiginjo Sake Kasu Shōchū
常圧蒸留: 単式蒸留 (Pot Distillation)
Ingredients:
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米(国産) Rice (Domestic)
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吟醸酒粕(国内製造) Ginjo Sake Lees
Alcohol: 25%
Enjoy on the rocks
In the bottle: Truly something to be appreciated; as soon as you open Ejanon Onboraato the sake notes burst forth with a full bouquet of rich, decadent chocolate, dried fruits, apricots and a bit of the syrupy part of a Tarte Tatin for good measure. All of this richness comes across in the form of mature flavors, which really gives a feeling of the aging and mellowing this went through, which in this case I learned is the Shiji-Jukujo method where fresh shochu is added to the original aged batch of shochu to provide a stable flavor profile. Overall, what is in the bottle really builds the anticipation for what is in the glass.
On the rocks: Unbelievably smooth, rich and with the perfect level of sweetness to give this balance and decadence all in one glass. While the nose was full of a range of sake notes, Ejanon Onbaraato in the glass provides some serious chocolate vibes on the front end and toward the finish a bit of dried fruits and syrupy peaches. Even with all the focus on the sweeter side. this comes across as light enough to have a couple of glasses, especially on a hot summer night.
Paired with Chocolate: Tony's Chocolonely, 70% chocolate. Sbsolutely pure magic from start to finish, the cocoa explodes with a velvety rich chocolate backed with a mix of fresh and mature sake notes. If there was ever a shochu to use as an ingredient in a dessert, this is clearly a top choice.
Reflections on this shōchū
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This is one bottles you pick up somewhere and it sits in the back of the bottle shelf waiting until the time is right to open it up and enjoy.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Distillery: 玉乃光酒造 Tomanohikari Shuzō
Address: 545-2 Higashi-Sakaicho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8066
Website: https://www.tamanohikari.co.jp
Additional Content: There is not much available on youtube, mostly just tastings of the sake they offer, I didn't find anything specific regarding this shochu.
Name: まねきつね Manekitsune
Type: 米・粕取り焼酎 Rice Kasutori shōchū
蒸留方法: 単式蒸留 (Pot Distillation)
Ingredients:
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米 Rice
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米麹(国産) Rice Koji (Domestic)
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酒粕 Sake Lees
Alcohol: 30%
In the bottle: At first this comes across a little tart (which could be due to the 30% alcohol), but once this opens up there is a gentle sweetness that blends toasted rice with more typical sake fruity notes. The fruity character that develops is a bit undefined but you can definitely feel some peach and lychee in there. Overall, Manekitsune builds a nice anticipation for what will be in the glass and feels like something that will be a nice glass to sip on this hot Hiroshima evening.
On the rocks: Manekitsune brings a blast of toasted rice, caramel and vanilla that are right up front and stay very present all the way through on the initial finish. Once the ice melts a bit and this opens up a bit more, the initial impact notes mellow out nicely giving the fruity sake notes a bit more room to breath and meld together with the sweeter, heavier elements; however, this never really evolves to far from where it starts making this feel a bit one-dimensional. The finish also makes a nice adjustment with the slightly higher alcohol doing a great job of carrying everything through to the end.
水割り Diluted with water
Ratio 4:1: Adding some water definitely cuts down on some of that sweetness, leaving the toasted rice to be more forward, which is interesting, but with the sweetness gone, there is a little sharp note that appears which is similar to what was observed on the nose. Overall, I think both work, especially if you are a slower drinker as this will give you all of what's on the rocks and with a little dilution.
Enjoy on the rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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A little bit one-dimensional on the flavor; however, what is there is really quite nice and makes for a nice glass to sip.
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I kind of felt this was a bit of a tourist buy since I was in Kyoto; the label is catchy though with a play on the Maneki Neko, in this case a fox.
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I am still in the initial stages of exploring Kasutori and Sakekasu shochu, the website mentions long-term storage "長期貯蔵" but does not give any clear information on how long it was stored or any other details for that matter. I wish these distillers would provide a bit more information...
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Distillery: 秋田清酒 Akita Seishu
Address: Amagasawa-83-1 Tochiya, Daisen, Akita 014-0801
Additional Content: They have a youtube channel, but, there is not a lot of content and it is mostly focused on producing rice and sake but still something interesting to watch.
Name: なまはげ Namahage
Type: 粕取り焼酎 Kasutori shōchū
蒸留方法: 単式蒸留 (Pot Distillation)
Ingredients:
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清酒粕 Sake Lees
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清酒 Sake
Alcohol: 25%
In the bottle: Incredibly aromatic and fruity with strong hints of peach, nectarine and subtle notes of licorice and slightly unripened strawberries. Namahage really hits all of the key sake notes, while also opening up a bit more depth due to the distillation process that results in something that is both familial and completely unique. Having very little experience with Kasutori Shochu, this for me is a really unique bottle to try and everything about this builds an intense interest to get this in the glass and take that first sip.
On the rocks: Bright, sweet and really smooth on that first sip; aside from the alcohol on the back end that brings a bit of warmth, it is really just like drinking a beautiful sake. Also, there is a nice balance between the sweetness and acidity which allows the floral notes to really shine and much like the nose there is a good depth of flavors ranging from fruity to creamy all melding together into something beautiful. Once the ice melts a bit though a lot of the impact fades to the background and while what is left is a certainly a nice glass to sip, for me at least, I found myself missing that initial intensity.
水割り Diluted with water
Ratio 4:1: Those key impact notes take a bit of backseat; however, the core sake based flavors still remain and surprisingly the licorice that was on the nose becomes a bit more prevalent on the finish.
Enjoy on the rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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This was my first chance to enjoy Akita shōchū, thanks to a nice suggestion from the shop owner. It made for a great introduction to the region’s style.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Distillery: 西吉田酒造 Nishi Yoshida Shuzō
Address: 612 Izumi, Chikugo, Fukuoka 833-0041
Website: https://nishiyoshida.jp/
Additional Content: Not much other than some reviews and tastings
Name: 井仁棚田 Initanada
Type: かぼちゃと米焼酎 Pumpkin & Rice shōchū
常圧蒸留: 単式蒸留 (Pot Distillation)
Ingredients:
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清酒粕 Sake Lees
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清酒 Sake
Alcohol: 25%
In the bottle: Quite neutral at the start; however, after swirling this around a bit the sweeter notes start to open up with a bit of rice and what reminds me of unspiced pumpkin or freshly steamed squash. Additionally, there are some floral and vanilla that comes out a bit toward the end which adds a bit of complexity to Initanada. Overall, I was not really sure what to expect with a rice / pumpkin shochu, but this turned out pretty good and creates a good anticipation for what is in the glass.
On the rocks: Really interesting right from the first sip; there is a soft rice shochu vibe that gets quickly overtaken by the pumpkin, which is just delicious. There is something in the pumpkin that reminds me a bit of shiso shochu, not some much the taste of shiso, but more how it carries in the mouth and how it leaves this herby finish that is light and refreshing. As the ice melts, the rice really fades to the background and the pumpkin takes full control, and while Initanada is not going to replace your favorite shochu, it certainly makes for a nice change of pace.
Straight: Incredibly herby, reminds me a lot of some of the herbal schnapps I had while living in Germany. Also Initanada drinks so smooth neat in the glass and the finish really shines here as well as the rice and pumpkin come across beautifully as you get wave after wave of sweet rice and pumpkin. Overall, a great way to enjoy this unique shochu.
Paired with Chocolate: Tony's chocolate 70%, as is usually the case, rice shochu and chocolate goes so well together; Initanada is another great example of this pairing. The chocolate is really intense and matches well with the pumpkin which gives this an herby - cacao vibe which lasts well into the finish. A great after dinner dessert pairing.
Enjoy on the rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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Picked this bottle up at a high-end shop just outside of Hiroshima station, I bought it because a) it was pumpkin shochu and b) the pumpkins were grown pretty close to where I live, all in all it was a great pick up.
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Aside from the uniqueness of this being a pumpkin shochu, it was a pretty solid bottle with some really nice pumpkin flavors, this sat on my shelf for quite some time so i don't remember what I paid for it; my feeling is was in the range of 2000 JPY
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Distillery: 栄川酒造 Sakaegawa Shuzō
Address: Nakasonedaira-6841-11 Sarashina, Bandai, Yama-ku, Fukushima
Website: https://www.tenkyo.jp/
Additional Content: The only thing I could find on youtube was a really old commercial for sake from Sakaegawa Shuzō, certainly fun to watch and only 15 seconds long.
Name: ゴールド秘酎 Gold Hichū
Type: 粕取り焼酎 Kasutori shōchū, aged in oak barrels for at least 1 year
蒸留方法: 単式蒸留 (Pot Distillation)
Ingredients:
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清酒粕 Sake Lees
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清酒 Sake
Alcohol: 30%
In the bottle: There is a bright sweetness that hits first before that beautiful fresh oak fragrance takes center stage, what follows are hints of vanilla, cherry (cherry vanilla) and cream soda. If you nose it long enough, you get some subtle cracked black pepper, persimmon and another round of more matured oak; highly enjoyable. For a Kasutori Shochu aged in oak, this brings a lot of interesting notes to experience which builds that perfect level of anticipation for the first sip.
On the rocks: This is a great example of a shochu where what you find on the nose comes through on the vividly on that first sip; and wow, does it come through. The oak is front and center which provides a great base for the vanilla, cherry and cream soda notes to shine, it is hard to believe this is only aged for around one year. Gold Hichū is just simply a joy to drink, especially if you are a fan of oak aged shochu. Unfortunately, I did not think about trying this neat in the glass, sadly not the first thing I think of when enjoying a nightcap on a hot summer night in Hiroshima.
水割り Diluted with water
Ratio 4:1: The intensity is really dialed back along with the vanilla, cherry and cream soda notes; however, the oak becomes clearer and more up front which adds a really nice sweetness. While I prefer this on the rocks, letting the ice melt enough gives Gold Hichū another life, so deffintely worth trying a few different variations.
Enjoy on the rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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I like how this bottle comes with a "bottle keep" tag, while I did not have a chance to hit an Izakaya while in Fukushima, this really feels like a bottle you would find lined up and waiting for the owner to return.
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Another great chance find that was recommended by the shop staff, certainly been pretty lucky on that over the past few years.
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Kasutori shochu has fast become one of my favorite types to enjoy and by adding the oak aging this just becomes sublime, truely a lucky find and I would go so far as to say a top 10 discovery for 2023.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Distillery: 西田酒造店 Nishida Shuzō Honten
Address: Ohama-46 Aburakawa, Aomori, 038-0059
Website: http://www.densyu.co.jp/
Additional Content: Not much other than reviews of their sake found online.
Name: 田酒 Denshu
Type: 粕取り焼酎 Kasutori Shōchū
常圧蒸留: 減圧蒸留 (Vacuum Distillation)
Ingredients:
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清酒かす(国産米) Seishu kasu
Alcohol: 30%
In the bottle: As with most good kasutori shochu, the nose is just pure sake; all of those beautifully elegant flavors are all there, from lychee and peach to licorice and custard. At 30% alcohol, it feels like light and fresh; like it was meant to be enjoyed on a hot summer night. (FYI, summer has now turned into autumn and still in the mid-30's, so more chances to enjoy)
On the rocks: Chilled with a little water dilution from the melted ice really makes you feel like you are drinking sake. The fruity notes are much more forward than the richer custard and cocoa flavors found neat in the glass, and the 30% alcohol does a great job on the finish to carry the peach and lychee through to the end. As the ice continues to melt the flavors become more crisp and clear, with the sweet fruit giving way to a little bit of licorice and cocoa, absolutely delicious.
Straight: Other than the obviously higher alcohol (30%) Denshu drinks just like a sake even at room temperature. What really stands out is the silky smoothness and the cocoa finish, which is punctuated by a well balanced custardy sweetness that never gets in the way of the other flavors. Interestingly, the fruity flavors found on the nose are not really present, so I will try a chilled glass to see if anything rises to the surface.
Straight @ Chilled: Or I should say super chilled in the freezer, most likely a bit too cold as this ends up a bit alcohol forward at first, but after it warms up a bit you can really enjoy the the fruity sake notes and the alcohol takes a back seat and lets everything shine.
Enjoy on-the-rocks or neat in the glass
Reflections on this shōchū
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Another lucky pickup from my travels across Japan.
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Great Kasutori shochu that is full of all the flavors of sake at a bit higher alcohol, and worth picking up if you are into this type of shochu.
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Tried this a couple of different ways neat in the glass, chilled is good, just don't go too far as the alcohol becomes a bit to forward.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Distillery: 石本酒造 Ishimoto Shuzō
Address: 〒950-0141 Niigata, Konan Ward, Kamedakogyodanchi
Website: https://koshinokanbai.co.jp/
Additional Content: Not much other than this one review of the 10 yr Otsujyōchū
Name: 乙焼酎10年 Otsujyōchū 10yr
Type: 酒粕焼酎 Sake Kasu shōchū
常圧蒸留: 単式蒸留 (Pot Distillation)
Ingredients:
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米（国産）Rice (Domestic)
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酒粕 Sake Lees
Alcohol: 43%
In the bottle: Otsujyōchū starts off so soft, subtle and neutral, it's hard to tell there is anything on the nose; however, it you get a little oxygen into it, you can catch some very light pear, peach and sake notes floating around. If you really inhale deeply you can find that 43% alcohol, but only just barely, which makes what you get in the bottle all that much more of a mystery.
On the rocks: Smooth and thick, with a nice balance between sharp and sweet; never falling to heavy on either side. Unlike other bottles of kasutori or sake kasu shōchū the typical sake notes are less pronounced, you can catch some lychee, licorice and vanilla, and these counterbalanced by some really nice mature earthy notes that finish off with a really nice sweetness.
Straight: Intense is the best way to start, with the sharpness really up front but amazing this settles quickly which gives the less in your face notes some breathing room. What I enjoyed about this the most was the finish, you can catch some really amazing flavors for a minute or two after drinking.
水割り Diluted with water
Ratio 4:1: This mellows out quite a bit, and the added water helps some of those beautiful sake notes come to the surface leaving a really nice drink to sip. My preference is on-the-rocks as I prefer the bigger punch but if I was going to have more than 1 glass, adding a splash of water or letting the ice melt half way would be my choice.
Paired with chocolate: Vietnam 75% dark chocolate and Otsujyōchū straight. Now this is a match made in heaven, the sweetness of shochu opens up the dark, rich chocolate to create an amazing combination that reminds of a chocolate ganache or a chocolate tart with vanilla and fruit. Absolutely sublime.
Enjoy straight or on-the-rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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Saw this bottle a few times over the past year and passed on it, mainly because of a past purchase of sake kasu shochu from another famous sake maker which, while not bad, did not justify the price. This one was nearly double that price so, I was hesitant; however, the result was much better this go around.
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Really been enjoying the paring of rice type shochu with chocolate, and this time was no exception, I wonder at what point someone starts using this in dessert making.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Distillery: 合同会社ねっか Nekka LLC
Address: Oki-998 Yanatori, Tadami, Minamiaizu-ku, Fukushima 968-0603
Website: https://nekka.jp/
Additional Content: No content available.
Name: ねっか Nekka
Type: 米焼酎 Rice shōchū
常圧蒸留: 減圧蒸留（低温) (Vacuum Distillation)
Ingredients:
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米（只見町産米）Rice (Awatami Town)
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米麹(只見町産米) Rice Koji (Awatami Town)
Alcohol: 25%
In the bottle: The ingredients state just rice and rice koji, but what is in the bottle is much more like a kasutori shochu; the strong sake notes pour out of the bottle as if they were concentrated down to the purest essence. Licorice, lychee, peach are all up front and full of sweetness giving Nekka the feeling of a smooth and refined sake, albeit just a bit more powerful. In the end, Nekka is beautiful, just like the furusato-esk image on the front of the bottle; it just feels like the perfect glass to sip on a hot summer night in the countryside.
On the rocks: Just like on the nose, this is clearly drinks very much like a kasutori shochu, the sake notes are pure, clean and full of all the typical sake notes like licorice, candied fruits and a little vanilla. At first, the sweetness is a bit on the thick side but after the ice melts a little Nekko really opens up, giving way to a more balanced shochu as some of the sharper notes develop a bit giving this a bit more character. Overall, this is an excellent glass to sip on this hot summer night here in Hiroshima.
Straight: This drinks so much like a condensed sake, all of the key flavors are there and very much up front; peach, lychee, licorice and even a little cocoa. Drinking this a room temperature the flavors are crystal clear, with a smoothness that makes this a bit on the dangerous side, at 25% alcohol this drinks just a bit too easily, so be wary.
Paired with dark chocolate: Kaldi 70% dark. As with sake, this pairs so amazingly well; the chocolate blends with the shochu to produce a flavor a bit like rum raisin ice cream. I have paired a lot of bottles with chocolate and this is by far one of the best ever, how no dessert makers are using this is still a shock.
Enjoy Straight or On-the-rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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Picked this up while in Fukushima on business, there was a small shop in the station and this was one of the two bottles the shop staff recommended, it was a great recommendation.
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Nekka is an interesting bottle, it states only rice and koji; however, this does not taste like a typical rice shochu, this is very much like a sake kasu shochu; in the end it does not matter so much as what is in the bottle is delicious.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Distillery: 村龍平酒造 Mura Ryūhei Shuzō
Address: 992-2 Saigawasakiyama, Miyako, Miyako-ku, Fukuoka 824-0224
Website: https://kusugiku.jp/shochu.html
Additional Content: None at this time.
Name: 五代目龍平 Go-daime Ryūhei
Type: 粕取り焼酎 Kasutori Shōchū
蒸留方法: 単式蒸留 (Pot Distillation)
Ingredients:
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大吟醸の酒粕 Daiginjo Sake Lees
Alcohol: 25%
In the bottle: Sweet peaches in nectar and candied fruits are right at the front before giving way to a hit of alcohol that is not entirely unpleasant as long as you don't inhale too deeply (like I did). Overall the nose is quite nice, especially right after pouring over some ice.
On the rocks: The first notes I get are nutty, like walnut or hazelnut, absolutely delicious in a way I was unprepared for. As the ice melts the nuttyness fades slightly allowing some of the sweeter more typical sake notes to appear, but overall this remains a uniquely nutty shochu with a nice little peppery bite right at the end.
水割り Diluted with water
Ratio 4:1: With a little water the sake sweetness comes out a lot more, but the nuttyness still remains on the finish along with some subtle fruit notes at the end, still remains very drinkable even at these ratios.
Enjoy on the rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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This shochu is made by the owners of the bottle shop that I purchased this at, they mostly produce sake and put this out only recently. The woman at the shop gave it the "people seem to like it so I can recommend it", in truth, it did not disappoint.
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This was always how I imagined chestnut shochu to taste, it was so nutty and interesting, not what I was expecting at all.
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Another lucky find while traveling, if only business would bring me to Kyushu more; there is still so much more to explore
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
