Distillery: 濱田酒造 Hamada Shuzō
Address: 17-7 Seisatsucho, Ichikikushikino, Kagoshima 896-0046
Website: https://www.hamadasyuzou.co.jp/
Additional Content: Hamada Shuzō has an active youtube channel with a range of content covering the process for making shōchū, commercials and some other local activities.
Name: 薩州 赤兎馬 Sasshū Sekitoba
Type: 芋焼酎 Sweet Potato Shōchū
蒸留方法: 常圧蒸留と減圧蒸留のブレンド
Ingredients:
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さつま芋(鹿児島県産) Sweet Potato
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白米麹 White Rice Koji
Alcohol: 25%
Enjoy on the rocks
In the bottle: Upon opening, the aroma immediately presents a delicate, prominent lavender note that is light and inviting without veering into perfumy territory. Beyond this, the nose offers only subtle underlying sweet potato shochu characteristics. With brief aeration, the floral intensity softens and recedes slightly, allowing gentle sweet potato notes to emerge—mild yet discernible.
On the rocks: The palate is notably floral and bright, resulting in a highly approachable and enjoyable sipping experience. While not particularly complex, the lavender dominates clearly and remains unmasked by any pronounced sweet potato sweetness. As Sasshū Sekitoba dilutes with the ice, the floral character mellows, providing more space for the sweet potato to express itself. Subtle toasted rice and vanilla notes surface, though lavender continues to define the overall profile.
水割り Diluted with water
4:1: A small addition of water accentuates the inherent sweetness, which settles pleasantly toward the back of the palate and throat, accompanied by hints of toasted rice and vanilla. The floral lavender persists on the nose but largely recedes on the palate, as do the brighter elements that were more prominent when served on the rocks.
Reflections on this shōchū
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I believed I had previously encountered Sasshū Sekitoba at an izakaya in Fukuyama, but this bottle does not align with that memory. That said, it remains enjoyable, though it falls somewhat short of my prior expectations.
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As this marks my first experience with Sekitoba, and with several other variants in the lineup yet to explore, I will consider adding them to my growing list of shochu to acquire.
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Priced around 1,800 JPY and upward, it sits in the mid-range category. However, it represents a low-risk purchase, offering excellent drinkability across a variety of serving styles and settings.
Bottle label and Information
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Name: 極味の雫 Gokumi no Shizuku
Type: 芋焼酎原酒 Sweet Potato Shōchū Genshu
蒸留方法: 単式蒸留 (Pot Distillation)
Ingredients:
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さつま芋(鹿児島県産)Sweet Potato
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白米麹 White Rice Koji
Alcohol: 35%
Enjoy on the rocks
In the bottle: The aroma opens with a highly fragrant and prominent combination of lavender, persimmon, and candied fruits—echoing the profile of the standard Red Sekitoba but with markedly greater intensity. Aggressive nosing reveals the alcohol presence, which is expected at 35% ABV. As this subsides, more characteristic sweet potato shochu notes emerge, before the lavender returns in a softer, more subdued form. Overall, the nose is highly engaging and enjoyable.
On the rocks: The palate is bright, crisp, and clean, delivering the aromatic elements with striking intensity and clarity, immediately signaling Gokumi no Shizuku best savored slowly. As the ice dilutes the shochu, the floral character softens, allowing greater expression of the underlying sweet potato. Despite the 35% ABV, the mouthfeel remains remarkably smooth and never heavy. The lavender integrates seamlessly with the sweet fruit notes, creating an appealing harmony. This expression offers a more concentrated and heightened take on the Sekitoba style; while initially floral-dominant, it evolves into a well-balanced interplay of freshness and sweetness.
水割り Diluted with water
4:1: A modest addition of water accentuates the inherent sweetness, which lingers pleasantly toward the back of the palate and throat, accompanied by subtle toasted rice, vanilla, and candied fruit notes. The floral lavender persists on the nose but largely recedes on the palate, as do the brighter elements that were prominent on the rocks. The result is exceptionally drinkable, though those seeking greater intensity may prefer serving it on the rocks.
Reflections on this shōchū
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At 5,000 JPY, this shochu positions itself firmly in the premium segment. While it delivers exceptional quality and is undoubtedly a very enjoyable pour, its price point may deter those seeking more everyday or entry-level options.
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I particularly enjoyed the standard Sekitoba Red (the classic version), and this bottling is essentially an amplified expression of the same profile—more intense in both aroma and depth, which elevates the experience in a positive way.
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The elevated price is further justified by the sophisticated overall presentation: a high-quality gift box, elegant labeling, and refined packaging that make it an ideal choice for a special gift or thoughtful souvenir.
Bottle label and Information
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Back Label
Name: 黒丸 Kuromaru
Type: 芋焼酎 Sweet Potato Shōchū
蒸留方法: 常圧蒸留 (Atmospheric)
Ingredients:
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さつまいも（鹿児島産）Satsuma (Kagoshima)
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米麹（国産）Rice Koji (Domestic)
Alcohol: 27%
Enjoy on-the-rocks
In the bottle: Pure sweet potato character comes through clearly, layered with soft, subtle vanilla and gentle woody notes. The overall texture is remarkably smooth, with no harsh or sharp edges. As it opens up a bit, a touch more sweetness emerges alongside a mild hint of alcohol warmth (at 27% ABV), which nicely lifts the sweeter aromatics to the forefront.
On the rocks: The first sip delivers a striking wave of freshness—almost like cool mint without any actual mint—making it incredibly refreshing and delicious. Woven into those fresh notes are well-integrated vanilla, toasted rice, and soft caramel flavors that add real depth and balance. As the ice melts slightly, the sweetness becomes more prominent, and the sweet potato character fully opens up. This version is dangerously easy to drink; I finished my first glass quickly and found myself reaching for a second (and nearly a third).
Straight: The same refreshing quality is present, but the profile feels surprisingly neutral overall—clean and understated. There’s a pleasant, smooth warmth on the palate, and the finish brings out softer elements like sweet potato and a touch of candied vanilla. It’s enjoyable this way, but given how much more it reveals with just a little ice, on the rocks is clearly the best way to appreciate Kuromaru.
Reflections on this shōchū
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I picked up this bottle of Kuromaru at the duty-free shop in Fukuoka Airport as my option for the week in Taiwan—having already tried everything else on the shelves, this was the one left standing.
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Kuromaru is nice and fresh, making it the perfect sip after a hot, humid day in Taiwan—refreshing and easy to drink.At 3,000 JPY, though, it felt a bit overpriced for what it is.
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While it's certainly a solid, enjoyable shochu, the price seemed a touch high compared to similar quality options available domestically or elsewhere.
Bottle label and Information
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Back Label
Name: 特上 大魔王 Tokujō Daimaō
Type: 芋焼酎原酒 Sweet Potato Shōchū Genshu
蒸留方法: 常圧蒸留 (Atomospheric)
Ingredients:
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さつま芋(鹿児島県産) Sweet Potato
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白米麹 White Rice Koji
Alcohol: 36%
Enjoy on the rocks
In the bottle: As soon as you pop the cork, Tokujō Daimaō is incredibly fragrant and leads with subtle sweetness. The higher alcohol content does a fair job of carrying a nice range of oaky sweet potato along with mature vanilla notes and a bit of dried fruits (dates, cherries, and apricot) to really round things out. After getting a bit of oxygen in (not easy with the square bottle), the alcohol becomes a bit more present along with a sharpness that feels a bit more fresh than sharp, but still masks a bit of what was observed the first time around.
On the rocks: I tried this after the ice had melted a fair amount, and what stood out the most was how much the sweetness had opened up, not sickly sweet, but smooth sweet potato followed by that really beautiful mature vanilla and cherry from the oak. On the finish there was a bit of Japanese milk caramel which added a really nice dessert vibe to the whole experience. Tokujō Daimaō mellows out surprisingly well while maintaining a lot of the strong impact notes that make this a pretty standout bottle of oak-aged sweet potato shōchū.
Straight: Surprisingly smooth and beautifully textured. Tokujō Daimaō hits all the marks you are looking for in a genshu sweet potato shōchū aged in oak. Right from the start, the sweet potato leads the way and comes across in waves of sweet and sharp. The sweet side has a bit of mature vanilla, buttery brown sugar, and dried fruits (a lot of which were very visible on the nose); the sharp side has an interesting black tea vibe that creates a perfect counterbalance and prevents this from getting a bit too sweet. Overall, this is an excellent bottle to enjoy neat in the glass.
Reflections on this shōchū
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I pic
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
