Sweet Potato (Imo) Shochu

• Region: Japan
• Distillery: Ookubo Shuzo
• Age: 2 Years
• ABV: 30%
• Size: 720 ml

THE HACHI SHOCHU, Sweet Potato (Imo), Virgin Oak Matured is a collaborative effort with Ookubo Shuzo, a family-owned farm distillery in Kagoshima, and Hacchan, who has embraced whisky cask maturation techniques. This exceptional shochu is crafted from Kogane Sengan, a fluffy sweet potato variety known for its delightful aroma and golden skin color. Single distilled under normal atmospheric pressure, it qualifies as Honkaku Shochu, ensuring the preservation of the sweet potato's inherent flavors.

Batch 2 consists of a vatting where 90% of the shochu has matured for about 2 years and 10% for approximately 2 months in Virgin Oak. This maturation process retains the original spirit's flavor while adding an extra dimension of complexity to the nose, palate, and finish.

Tasting Notes:

• Color: Straw, Hay, Light Gold
• Nose: A vibrant bouquet of fresh fruits, moscatel, lychee, reminiscent of a sparkling white wine, complemented by notes of cream soda and fresh mint, all with a subtle sweetness.
• Palate: An initial sweetness harmonizes with fresh mint, cream soda, cereals, and spices like cloves and cardamom, finishing with hints of oak and dark chocolate.
• Finish: A smooth, lingering finish that marries the sweet potato essence with warm oak notes and a delicate spice, leaving a pleasant aftertaste that invites another sip.

Discover the unique profile of The HACHI Shochu, Sweet Potato (Imo), Virgin Oak Matured, Batch 2, where traditional craftsmanship meets innovative maturation for a truly exceptional tasting experience.

• Region: Japan
• Distillery: Okubo Shuzo
• Age: NAS (No Age Statement)
• ABV: 17%
• Size: 720 ml

This special and limited edition Yaki Imo Shochu, bottled exclusively for MIZUNARA, showcases the delicate flavors of grilled sweet potato. With an ABV of 17%, it allows the rich, roasted sweet potato notes to come through on the mid to back palate, complementing a variety of foods without overpowering them.

Serving Recommendation:

• Serving Style: Enjoy this shochu chilled, much like a white wine, for a refreshing experience. Serve in a white wine glass to enhance its aroma and taste.
• Pairing: Perfectly suited to be paired with a variety of dishes, its subtle sweetness and earthy flavors make it a versatile addition to any meal.

This Shochu offers a unique and refined drinking experience, bringing out the natural essence of sweet potato in a light and elegant way.

• Region: Japan
• Distillery: Okubo Shuzo
• Age: NAS
• ABV: 25%
• Size: 720 ml

Shochu, a distilled spirit gaining global popularity akin to sake, is represented here by Okubo Shuzo's flagship product, crafted in Kagoshima, Japan. This particular bottling is made from baked sweet potato (Yaki Imo) and black rice malt.

Awards: HKIWSC Silver in 2018 and 2019.

• Region: Japan
• Distillery: Okubo Shuzo
• Age: NAS
• ABV: 25%
• Size: 720 ml

Samurai No Mon is crafted using a unique blend of sweet potatoes, prominently featuring the “Genji-imo” variety, combined with a special breed of rice that dates back to the Samurai era. This rice has been meticulously bred for the first time in 154 years from just 7 grams of rice seeds, resulting in a truly exceptional spirit.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Deep umami aroma with floral undertones.
• Palate: Slightly sweet, crisp, and delicately spicy, presenting a complexity that lingers beautifully.
• Finish: Gentle and easy to drink, making it perfect for various serving styles.

Enjoy Samurai No Mon straight, on the rocks, or in an Oyuwari (with hot water), which enhances its rich aroma and flavors. It pairs exceptionally well with fried fish and meat, spicy dishes, and even sweet desserts.

Awards:

• HKIWSC Silver 2018
• HKIWSC Bronze 2019
• Los Angeles International Spirits Competition Silver 2018

• Region: Japan
• Distillery: Okubo Shuzo
• Age: NAS
• ABV: 25%
• Size: 720 ml

Kikoji Ookubo is crafted from baked sweet potato and yellow rice koji. Traditionally, original Kagoshima shochu was made using Kikoji (yellow koji), known for its unique and exceptional flavor. This bottling represents the distillery's pride, inheriting the age-old traditions of shochu production.

Its rich yet subtle character is attributed to the special yellow koji, where the initial sweetness gracefully transitions into a complex and intriguing finish.

Accolades:

• Awarded Silver at the HKIWSC 2018
• Awarded Silver at the HKIWSC 2019
• Awarded Gold at the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition 2018

• Region: Kagoshima, Japan
• Distillery: Okubo Shuzo
• Age: NAS (No Age Statement)
• ABV: 25%
• Size: 720ml or 1800ml

Beni Haruka Yaki Imo is a limited edition shochu crafted using Kome (rice) koji and the unique "Beni Haruka" breed of sweet potato, which is baked to enhance its natural sweetness. This exclusive release from Okubo Shuzo captures the essence of its ingredients, resulting in a rich and full-bodied flavor profile. The Beni Haruka sweet potato features a spindle shape with red-purple skin and yellow-white flesh, known for its moist texture and refreshing sweet taste.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Aromas of baked sweet potato with hints of earthiness and subtle sweetness.
• Palate: A velvety mouthfeel that delivers flavors of rich, roasted sweet potato, complemented by a creamy sweetness and delicate rice notes.
• Finish: A smooth and warming finish, leaving a lingering sweetness that invites another sip.

• Region: Kagoshima, Japan
• Distillery: Ookubo Shuzo
• Age: NAS
• ABV: 25%
• Size: Available in 720 ml or 1800 ml

This limited edition release from the craft distillery in Kagoshima showcases the unique qualities of Murasaki (Purple) Imo, known for its high anthocyanin content, which is rich in antioxidants. The sweet potato's deep purple flesh shines through in this shochu, imparting a delicate aroma reminiscent of sake or white wine.

Tasting Notes:
The shochu presents a beautifully nuanced palate with sweet, floral notes, providing a refreshing experience that highlights the distinct characteristics of the Murasaki Imo.

• Region: Kagoshima, Japan
• Distillery: Okubo Shuzo
• Age: NAS
• ABV: 37%
• Size: 720 ml

Kanpou translates to "Sweet Treasure," and this Shochu embodies its name. As a Koshu Genshu, it is matured for over three years in tanks and bottled at cask strength without any dilution. This traditional method involves topping up the tank with new genshu each year, resulting in a harmonious blend that captures the full taste of its rich aroma.

The key ingredients include Kogane Sengan sweet potatoes and Black Rice Koji, contributing to a velvety mouthfeel with intense sweet potato fruity flavors. This makes it an ideal drink to savor on the rocks, allowing the complex notes to unfold beautifully with each sip.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The aroma is rich and inviting, showcasing pronounced sweet potato notes complemented by hints of vanilla and earthy undertones.
• Palate: On the palate, the flavor is beautifully layered, with a smooth and creamy texture. The sweetness of the sweet potato is balanced by subtle hints of spice and roasted nuts, creating a well-rounded experience.
• Finish: The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a warm, fruity essence that lingers pleasantly, making you crave another sip.

• Region: Japan
• Distillery: Okubo Shuzo
• Age: NAS
• ABV: 25%
• Size: 1800 ml

Shochu is a distilled spirit that is becoming increasingly popular globally, similar to sake. This bottling is crafted by the artisanal distiller Okubo Shuzo in Kagoshima, Japan, and represents a special bottling for the Tohoku Project. It is made using two different sweet potato varieties—Baked Tama Akane and Kogane Sengan—along with Ki-Kome Koji (Hitomebore from Miyagi Prefecture) and distilled under atmospheric pressure.

As a Honkaku Shochu, it showcases the fruitiness reminiscent of tropical and citrus fruits derived from Tama Akane, balanced by the rich depth of Kogane Sengan and rounded off by the unique Koji. The roasted sweet potato contributes a richer aroma, creating a harmonious blend that highlights the essence of the ingredients.

Recommended Ways to Drink: While there are many ways to enjoy it, we suggest:

1. On the rocks - to savor its rich flavors.
2. With sparkling soda water - to showcase the refreshing fruity notes.
3. With hot water - for a comforting experience.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Inviting aromas of roasted sweet potato with hints of tropical fruits and subtle earthiness.
• Palate: A delightful combination of fruity notes, including citrus and tropical nuances, complemented by the rich sweetness of roasted sweet potato.
• Finish: A smooth and warming finish with lingering sweetness and a touch of spice, inviting you to take another sip.

• Region: Japan
• Distillery: Ookubo Shuzo
• Age: 4 Years
• ABV: 30%
• Size: 720 ml

Introducing The HACHI Shochu, Sweet Potato (Imo), Cask Matured, a unique collaboration with Ookubo Shuzo, a family-owned farm distillery in Kagoshima, and Hacchan, who has incorporated whisky maturation techniques into the shochu-making process. This exquisite spirit is crafted from Kogane Sengan, a delectable variety of sweet potato known for its fluffy texture, delightful aroma, and golden skin.

Production Process:
Single distilled under normal atmospheric pressure, this Honkaku Shochu retains the true flavors of the underlying sweet potato. Batch 3 has been matured for approximately 4 years and 4 months in ex-Brandy casks, allowing it to preserve the spirit’s origin while enhancing its complexity.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: A captivating aroma of sweet caramel and butterscotch mingles with fruit cake, enriched by notes of cherries and raisins, rounded off with hints of oak spices.

• Palate: The palate opens with the initial sweetness of candied orange, complemented by hints of caramel and toffee. The oak spices create a balanced backdrop, allowing the sweet potato shochu’s essence to emerge with notes of peach and lychee, providing a delightful finish.

• Finish: A rich, lingering finish that showcases the interplay between the sweet potato and brandy influences, leaving a warm sensation of caramel and subtle fruitiness, perfectly balanced with a touch of oak.

Embark on a flavorful journey with The HACHI Shochu, Sweet Potato (Imo), Brandy Cask Matured, where the traditions of shochu meet the artistry of cask maturation for a truly remarkable tasting experience.