In the bottle: Slightly sweet and fragrant on the nose, opening with fresh notes of nectarine, watermelon rind, and a candy-like sour cherry (reminiscent of Jolly Ranchers). These brighter aromas gradually give way to a more earthy, damp-hay character. With deeper inhales, subtle vanilla and toasted rice emerge toward the finish, along with just a faint whisper of alcohol. Overall, the nose is highly enjoyable and sets strong, positive expectations for the liquid inside.

On the rocks: The initial sip brings refreshing lightness, with a pleasant peppery (slightly spicy) kick at the back of the palate that’s nicely balanced by emerging soft sweetness. From there, it transitions smoothly into the fruit notes seen on the nose—offering flavors not commonly found in sweet potato shochu, which makes this one stand out. Holding it on the tongue reveals rich toasted rice, hints of vanilla, sweet potato, and a touch of baking spice for added depth. A very compelling way to enjoy it.

水割り Diluted with water

4:1 ratio: Adding water smooths everything out considerably, but in doing so, it mutes much of what makes Kawagoe interesting—resulting in a clean, easy drink without much real substance or character left behind. It’s far from bad, just noticeably less engaging. (Note: I didn’t try it neat at the time, which I’d now like to revisit for comparison.)