Distillery: 繊月酒造 Sengetsu Shuzō
Address: 1 Shinmachi, Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto 868-0052
Website: https://sengetsu-shuzo.com
Additional Content: There is a short interview video with Sengetsu's managing director/president talking about the distilleries recovery after damage from the heavy rain in July 2021.
Name: 大古酒繊月(30年+) Ōkoshu Sengetsu 30yr+
Type: 米焼酎 Rice shōchū
蒸留方法: 常圧蒸留 (Atmospheric)
Ingredients:
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米 Rice
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米麹(国本産) Rice Koji (Domestic)
Alcohol: 40%
In the bottle: The intense burnt caramel and vanilla notes dominate the nose, giving way to a beautiful sweetness that kind of reminds me of cherry vanilla coke before blending into a more typical rice shochu finish. For something that has aged this long, what comes out of the bottle is truly special.
On the rocks: What you get on the nose, absolutely explodes on the palate, this tastes so much Japanese pudding with burnt caramel sauce, and while that seems like it would be unappealing, nothing could be further from the truth. At 80 proof, the alcohol starts to creep in at the end, but it is subtle and the black pepper finish just adds a little more complexity to what is already just an amazing experience.
Straight: Opened up a second bottle a year after this last tasting, this time I started with it neat in a glass, which is really intense. The burnt caramel is much tighter and fades out nicely on the finish along with some really smooth vanilla and cocoa; overall a really nice way to enjoy this beautifully aged shochu.
水割り Diluted with water
Ratio 4:1: Adding a little water definitely lightens up the big impact notes, resulting in something that is really smooth, however, I feel that what really makes this special is lost.
Paired with Chocolate: Pretzel, toffee milk chocolate from Tony's, the flavors from the chocolate really get amplified and almost intensified. The nice part is that this chocolate is not super sweet which allows the shochu to expand the flavors from the chocolate and blend in the nice caramel and vanilla notes without getting too heavy.
Enjoy straight or on the rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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Quite possibly the best bottle I have opened in a long time, the quality of the whole package, box, label, accompanying information, are all there to give justice to what is in the bottle, which was amazing.
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At 8800 JPY, this is an absolute steal for something 30+ years old and not a blend of other years, it was so good, I bought two more bottles to keep in the vault.
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If you were ever looking to give the perfect gift to a shochu lover, then this would be it, hands down, no further questions needed.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Name: たる繊月(６年以上) Taru Sengetsu (6yr+)
Type: 米焼酎 Rice shōchū (樫樽貯蔵古酒 Aged in Oak Barrels )
蒸留方法: 減圧蒸留 (Vacuum Distillation)
Ingredients:
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米 ヒノヒカリの新米 100％ Hinohikari new rice
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米麹(国内産) Rice Koji (Domestic)
Alcohol: 25%
In the bottle: Intensely woody with hints of cherry hard candies, and vanilla; reminds me of Dr Pepper, and cream soda. The oak notes remind me of freshly mulched wood in summer, very inviting. Additionally, the sweetness on the nose is not overpowering but certainly makes its presence felt the longer you spend with it. Overall, Taru Sengetsu is a perfect representation of oak-aged rice shochu, especially with the beautiful golden hue; everything about this this really builds a nice anticipation for what is in the bottle, which absolutely does not disappoint.
On the rocks: Smooth, rich and bit creamy, the first thing that comes to mind is cream soda and birch beer due to the oaky front end. You know you are in for something special right from the first sip, that initial intensity is full of amazing impact notes that for me were quite surprising since I have very little experience with oak-aged shochu before. Overall, Taru Sengetsu is slightly sweet, with those beautiful cherry, vanilla, and oak notes spreading out and almost giving off an after dinner drink vibe.. Also, the finish is really a standout here as well as this is aged to perfection, never feels too oaky and hits on so many levels which makes this something to sip and enjoy slowly.
水割り Diluted with water
Ratio 4:1: The sweetness really opens up with a little water, with the cream soda and vanilla notes staying nice and up front; however, due to the mellowing the intensity is just not there, resulting in an unfortunately short finish.
Enjoy on the rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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Amazing, just amazing, and on my list for buying a second bottle.Everything I have had from Sengetsu Shuzo has been top class, looking forward to opening up the last two bottles I have.
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This hits all the notes you want with something that has been aged in oak, along with the more typical rice shochu notes, there as some creme soda, and cherry notes that are just sublime.
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The price is very low for such a high quality shochu, you can pick it up on their website for under 1800 JPY, which makes this a completely low risk buy.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Cap Label
Name: 川辺 Kawabe
Type: 米焼酎 Rice shōchū
蒸留方法: 減圧蒸留 (Vacuum Distillation)
Ingredients:
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米(相良村) Rice (Sagara Village)
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米麹(相良村) Rice Koji (Sagara Village)
Alcohol: 25%
In the bottle: Soft and subtle, with some light floral & fruity notes, overall, Kawabe reminds me a little of sake without any heavy sweetness on the front-end. After letting it open up, you can also find some really nice hints of vanilla, slight citrus and peach, all of which are incredibly inviting and do a great job of building anticipation for what will be in the glass.
On the rocks: For me, at least, the first sip was a where have you been all my life sip, just like the nose, it is soft and subtle and if you drink it too fast, you will miss what makes Kawabe so special. In the mouth it feels light but there is a slight thickness with some absolutely beautiful rice shochu notes that weave in and out. Overall, Kawabe drinks a bit like a kasutori/sake kasu shochu as there are a lot of those light fruity notes of peach and apricot that really give this a sake vibe. The finish plays a nice part as well as you continue to get hints of what is in the glass for a good while and while the alcohol is not high, it does a great job of carrying the softer notes through to the end. For me at least, this was an all around just an amazing experience.
Diluted with water:
Ratio 4:1: Don't bother, this is just so perfect on the rocks. Unbelievably, I did not try this neat in the glass, if I ever pick up another bottle I will update this tasting.
Paired with dark chocolate: The chocolate, 70% dark chocolate, single origin from Vietnam, three ingredients, cocoa mass, sugar and cocoa butter. The pairing, the bitterness of the chocolate balances perfectly with the slight sweetness and the vanilla found on the nose makes an appearance as it blends with the chocolate. This is one of those pairings that just works so well and makes you wonder why more people are not using shochu for desserts, just amazing.
Enjoy on the rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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After sitting on my shelf for a year, I opened this up and just as stated above, it was a where have you been all my life first sip, definitely a top 3 desert island shochu for sure.
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For this, I broke my 1 glass per night rule, just too good...Kawabe might replace my go to gift shochu, ?nanina, this is just so accessible and enjoyable to drink, don't hesitate, try it, gift it, share it.
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Sengetsu Shuzo knocks it out of the park again, after enjoying a range of what they had to offer in 2023, it was clear they are producing some world-class shochu.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Name: 霧の封印(30年以上) Kiri no Fūin (30yr+)
Type: 米焼酎 Rice shōchū
蒸留方法: 減圧蒸留 (Vacuum Distillation)
Ingredients:
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米(国産) Rice (Domestic)
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米麹(国産) Rice Koji (Domestic)
Alcohol: 25%
In the bottle: At first Kiri no Fūin comes across as soft and subtle; however, once this opens up a bit, what comes out is wave after wave of cherry, vanilla and fresh cut wood, which is simply beautiful. As you nose this it a little deeper, the alcohol starts to make is self known before calming back down to let some of the softer notes to rise to the top, especially this amazing mature vanilla that brings both depth and sweetness. Time to stop typing and just get this in the glass.
On the rocks: I was going to use the word refined, but I feel elegant just fits better, especially at 30+ years old. Everything about Kiri no Fūin is just so smooth, clean and almost too drinkable. the cherry, vanilla and amazing mature rice shochu that was on the nose is on full display; however, I would say that the vanilla notes are even stronger on-the-rocks, especially before it starts to dilute from the ice. Once this mellows out a bit a lot of the impact notes soften but still this remains an amazing glass to sip.
Straight: Decided to try this neat and all I can say is Wow. On-the-rocks is nice, especially on a hot night, but this drinks so smoothly with all of the what I found on the rocks right there, just at room temp. Interestingly, I found some nutty and slightly clay notes which add to the complexity of this amazing shochu.
水割り Diluted with water
Ratio 4:1: While not as much impact as on-the-rocks or straight, Kiri no Fūin just works on all levels, and with a little water opens up into a perfectly balanced aged rice shochu. Just buy it and enjoy it.
Enjoy straight or on the rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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Sengetsu Shuzō is like the gift that just keeps on giving, everything I have had from them is just top shelf and Kiri no Fuin is not different, just amazing.
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At 30+ years old, this was fresh, bright and extremely drinkable; hard to image this is only slightly over 3000 JPY, just amazing.
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I was going to pick up Sengetsu's 12 bottle set (which is an incredible deal) so I can try the rest of what they have to offer, but ended up just driving over to Hitoyoshi which was the right decision.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Name: 無言(10年以上) Mugon 10yr+
Type: 米焼酎原酒 Rice shōchū genshu
常圧蒸留: 減圧蒸留 (Vacuum Distillation)
Ingredients:
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米(国産) Rice (Domestic)
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米麹(国産) Rice Koji (Domestic)
Alcohol: 40%
In the bottle: The alcohol is strong on the nose at first with Mugon; however once this passes there is a nice warming oak, dried fruits, toasted rice and mature vanilla sweetness that started to emanate from the bottle. Additionally, the alcohol which was heavy at the start really starts to carry some of the more subtle aromas forward as you get some rasion, baking spice and a bit of bitter chocolate toward the end, overall, really nice and inviting.
On the rocks: Mugon starts off a lot like whiskey as the ice subdues a the sharper edges while keeping that warming feeling along with a nice bit of oak and dark chocolate. Once the ice melts, some of the warmth washes away; however, this gives the sweeter notes a chance to develop and aside from the overall sweetness, there is a bit of cherry, vanilla and dried fruits which start to pull the whole experience together. Overall, this is an OK way to enjoy this but neat in the glass provides a better window into what Mugon has to offer.
Straight: Delightfully smooth from the first sip, with a strong backbone of oak and chocolate that really builds out the character. Overall, Mugon is exceptional neat in the glass and drinks a lot like a whiskey with a beautiful ebb and flow across its full flavor profile. On the finish the alcohol is warming and gives the whole experience a classy feel while carrying some of the softer notes forward, mostly dried fruit and a bit of cacao bitterness.
Paired with Chocolate: Tonnys Chocolate, 70%, rich and powerful from the start, once you get past the initial alcohol impact the cacao really takes center stage, while the chocolate expands nicely, this does not hit as well as I thought it might.
Enjoy straight or on the rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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After not having anything to open from Sengetsu in a while, trying this bottle reminded me how much I enjoy what they have to offer.
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One of the biggest challenges with trying to enjoy as many different bottles of shochu as possible is that when you find good bottles that are worth going back to, there are so many other bottles left to try.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Top Label
Name: 葦分 Ashikita
Type: 米焼酎 Rice shōchū
常圧蒸留: 単式蒸留と減圧蒸留（低温)
Ingredients:
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米(芦北町産米) Rice (Ashikita Town)
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米麹(芦北町産) Rice Koji (Ashikita Town)
Alcohol: 25%
In the bottle: Ashikita opens somewhat neutral at first, yet there’s an immediately intriguing fresh quality that feels welcoming and clean. With a little oxygen exposure—through a gentle swirl or brief rest in the glass—a faint, delicate sweetness begins to emerge, accompanied by very light vanilla and subtle earthy undertones. While not overloaded with bold, explosive notes, the nose builds a refined sense of anticipation, promising elegance and balance in the glass.
On the rocks: Sengetsu delivers another excellent bottle with Ashikita, staying true to their signature style without straying far from previous releases—yet perfectly capturing what a high-quality rice shochu can be. It arrives bright and refreshingly fresh on the palate, quickly giving way to a smooth wave of sweet vanilla and creamy custard. The balance is impeccable: as the ice melts, the finish drifts into rich burnt caramel and a gentle touch of earthiness, creating layered depth without heaviness. This feels tailor-made for warm evenings—ideal for sipping slowly on a hot summer night rather than a cold February one, where its bright, uplifting character shines brightest.
Straight: Surprisingly fruity to start, with a beautifully fresh cacao-like backdrop that provides excellent contrast to the gentle bitter-caramel edge on the finish. The result is an exceptionally smooth rice shochu that remains dynamic and engaging from start to long finish. Everything integrates with remarkable clarity and refinement—making Ashikita a standout candidate for enjoying neat, where its complexity and polish truly come forward.
Paired with dark chocolate: Venchi 80% dark chocolate, At first glance, pairing with an 80% dark chocolate might seem mismatched—higher-cacao chocolates (above 70%) often overpower shochu—but Ashikita handles it beautifully. After the initial sharp bitterness of the chocolate subsides, the rice shochu expands and elevates the entire experience, amplifying the cocoa intensity while layering in its own vanilla, custard, and burnt-caramel notes on the finish. The result is an overwhelmingly chocolate-driven moment, yet one that feels richer, more rounded, and surprisingly harmonious. A very successful and indulgent pairing that turns the combination into a cohesive, luxurious ride.
Enjoy straight or on-the-rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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Overall, Ashikita is a standout in Sengetsu’s lineup, I found this consistently a bottle I could go back to for a glass and not get tired of and was a little sad when the bottle was finished.
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It’s the kind of shōchū that feels special without trying too hard—perfect for warm nights in Hiroshima (Although, it's only March) especially when sharing with others who appreciate such a clean, refined rice shōchū.
Bottle label and Information
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Back Label
