Distillery: 稲田本店 Inada Honten
Address: 325-16 Yomicho, Yonago, Tottori 683-0851
Website: https://www.inata.co.jp
Additional Content: None at this time.
Name: なまけ者になりなさい Namakimononarinasai
Type: 芋焼酎 Potato shōchū
Potato: 芋 Sweet Potato
Ingredients:
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芋(国産) Sweet Potato (Domestic)
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米麹 Rice Koji (Thailand)
Alcohol: 25%
Enjoy on-the-rocks
In the bottle: Sweet and fragrant from the start, featuring prominent lavender, caramel, and wet hay, with a distinct splash of vanilla reminiscent of classic vanilla Tootsie Rolls. There’s also a subtle brown sugar note—possibly influenced by this morning’s Taiwanese steamed bun (mantou)—that enhances the dessert-like impression. Overall, the nose leans noticeably sweet and comforting, positioning this as more of a dessert-style shōchū.
On the rocks: Sweetness bursts forward immediately on the palate, carrying over the brown sugar and vanilla from the nose while sweet potato provides a grounding base. Wet hay reappears, adding welcome depth and preventing the sweetness from becoming one-dimensional. The persistent sweetness lingers gently throughout the sip, evoking a cozy, comfort-drink quality—perfect for relaxed, unhurried moments (hence the “be lazy” vibe).
水割り Diluted with water
4:1: Dilution produces a noticeably smoother, softer version of the on-the-rocks profile. No major new flavors emerge; the core sweetness, vanilla, and subtle hay notes simply become milder and more rounded. While still pleasant, it doesn’t reveal anything particularly distinctive beyond what ice already brings out—on the rocks remains the more expressive and enjoyable way to experience this shōchū.
Reflections on this shōchū
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While Namakimononinarinasai captures many of the classic characteristics of sweeter, richer sweet potato shōchū—baked potato depth, vanilla, caramel, and comforting sweetness—it doesn’t introduce anything particularly novel or unexpected. I had hoped the prominent lavender from the nose would translate more clearly to the palate, but it remains mostly in the background and doesn’t fully carry through.
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That said, there’s an undeniable sense of comfort in drinking this one—perhaps amplified by the playful, laid-back name (“be lazy” / “take it easy”). It’s an easy, cozy pour that feels right for unwinding without demanding too much attention.
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I picked this up at my usual go-to bottle shop in Nagoya Station, located on the B2 level of Takashimaya. The selection there is consistently interesting, often featuring bottles that aren’t widely available elsewhere. This one may not be spectacular, but it delivered reliably and didn’t disappoint—solid value for a relaxed, dessert-leaning imo shōchū.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
