Distillery: 霧島酒造 Kirishima Shuzō
Address: 885-0093 Miyazaki, Miyakonojo, Shibitacho
Website: https://www.kirishima.co.jp/products/imo/aka-kirishima/
Additional Content: There is a short vintage (2011) introduction to Kirishima distillery, it's only in Japanese but still quite interesting.
Name: 赤霧島 Akakirishima
Type: 芋焼酎 Potato shōchū
Potato: 甘藷(九州産) Sweet Potato
Ingredients:
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甘藷(九州産) Sweet Potato
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米麹(国産米) Rice Koji
Alcohol: 25%
In the bottle: The initial impression is subtle, featuring only a faint hint of sweetness and no strongly pronounced flavors beyond the clean, fresh sweet potato character that dominates the nose. This makes Akakirishima highly approachable. The alcohol is neutral and barely noticeable, further enhancing its easy-drinking nature and encouraging multiple pours.
On the rocks: This is a classic, easy-drinking sweet potato shōchū—smooth and approachable from the first sip, which helps explain the widespread presence of the Kirishima brand in izakayas and restaurants. The sweet potato notes are well-balanced, offering a gentle richness paired with light sweetness that keeps the experience fresh and sessionable. It never feels heavy or overpowering, making it an ideal choice on the rocks alongside a variety of izakaya dishes.
水割り Diluted with water
4:1, 3:2 ratio, The core sweet potato flavors remain prominent and enjoyable. Given the inherent smoothness of Akakirishima, dilution is not strictly necessary—the shōchū performs well without it.
2:3 ratio, At this higher dilution, most distinct flavors fade, leaving primarily a mild, pleasant sweetness on the finish.
Enjoy on the rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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Even after many years on the market, Akakirishima remains a highly enjoyable shōchū that is widely available and easy to find.
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Akakirishima serves as an excellent introduction for those new to shōchū. Its smooth profile never overwhelms the palate, providing a gentle and accessible entry point into the category.
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The Kirishima distillery offers a solid range of sweet potato shōchū at various price points—reviews of additional expressions to follow.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Name: 吉助 Kichisuke
Type: 芋麹焼酎 Potato Koji shōchū
Potato: ムラサキマサリ Purple Sweet Potato
Ingredients:
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さつまいも(九州産) Sweet Potato
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芋こうじ Potato Koji
Alcohol: 25%
Enjoy on the rocks
In the bottle: The nose is surprisingly neutral overall, with subtle hints of sweetness and potato. A clean, cooling alcohol note is prominent but not overpowering. While the aroma does not fully reveal the flavor profile to come, it conveys a sense of careful craftsmanship and suggests an intriguing experience on the palate.
On the rocks: Kichisuke offers a distinctly unique tasting experience among sweet potato shōchū, particularly when compared to those made with rice koji as the potato koji adds a nice bit of complexity. The initial sip brings light sweetness and an earthy potato character that creates a pleasant prickling sensation on the tongue, lingering gently. The finish introduces a black pepper-like spice with mild residual warmth in the throat. This is an interesting and memorable shōchū—I plan to explore other bottles from this release in the future.
水割り Diluted with water
4:1, 3:2 ratio: Light dilution softens the prickling sensation on the tongue while preserving the core sweetness and earthy potato notes. The peppery finish becomes milder but remains noticeable.
2:3 ratio: At higher dilution, the bolder and more impactful flavors recede significantly. The distinctive potato shōchū character persists, though in a gentler, less intense form than when served on the rocks.
Reflections on this shōchū
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I have encountered Akakirishima frequently in izakayas—while it is far from spectacular, it remains a solid, reliable shōchū. When I recently came across a set featuring three bottles from the Kirishima distillery, it presented a welcome opportunity to explore some of their other expressions.
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Kichisuke proved to be an interesting and distinctive bottle, particularly as a 100% potato shōchū (made without rice koji). It is certainly worth trying for anyone seeking a more unconventional take on the category.
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In some respects, it reminds me of a heavily peated Scotch—not in flavor, of course, but in its drinking experience: the first glass is enjoyable and intriguing, yet it lacks the pull to encourage a immediate second pour.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Back Label
Name: 特別蒸留きりしま白 Kirishima Special White
Type: 芋麹焼酎 Potato Koji shōchū
Potato: ムラサキマサリ Purple Sweet Potato
Ingredients:
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さつまいも(九州産) Sweet Potato
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米麹(国産米) Rice Koji (Domestic)
Alcohol: 40%
Enjoy on the rocks
In the bottle: The nose is prominently sweet potato, featuring a balanced interplay of sweet and fresh characteristics. While not overwhelmingly intense, it delivers a complete and engaging aromatic profile. After allowing the shochu to settle, it mellows considerably, with the 40% alcohol content receding into the background. Overall, the experience remains focused on the inviting sweet potato vapors, creating an appealing introduction to the glass.
On the rocks: Slightly thick on the first sip, with a powerful sweet potato bit that overwhelms a bit until you settle in for the ride. With this bottle of Kirishima White,
Straight: 4:1, 3:2
Paired with Chocolate: 4:1, 3:2