In the bottle: The nose is beautifully inviting and far more expressive than expected—especially from a 900ml bottle, which in my experience can be hit-or-miss. Fresh sweet potato pours through clearly and prominently, perfectly suited to a hot Hiroshima summer night. Beyond the upfront sweet potato, mature candied vanilla and subtle cereal notes emerge to create a well-integrated profile. Overall, it builds strong anticipation for the palate, and it delivers without disappointment.

On the rocks: JSimply delicious from the first sip. Strong, impactful sweet potato combines with candied and mature vanilla plus hints of cereal grain, all supported by a refreshing, lively mouthfeel that makes this an easy shōchū for multiple glasses without fatigue. Opening the bottle in summer rather than winter was an excellent decision. As the ice melts, the sweeter elements rise to the forefront, and the finish settles into a gentle ebb and flow between vanilla and sweet potato—perfect for slow, relaxed sipping and easy refills.

Straight: Soft and sweet at the start, with just a light tingle of alcohol that is noticeable but not intrusive. On subsequent sips, the sharpness fades, allowing the vanilla more room to express itself, particularly on the finish. The sweet potato shines here in a delicate, pure form that feels refined and clean. While neat works well enough, on a hot July night in Hiroshima, it is not necessarily the ideal serving style—though it is still enjoyable and far from disappointing.

Paired with Chocolate: The pairing starts soft and sweet with a mild alcohol presence that remains in check. On further sips, the profile becomes less assertive overall. This is a decent combination—nothing wrong with it—but it does not stand out as one of the stronger pairings for this shōchū.