Japanese Shochu

THE HACHI SHOCHU, Brown Sugar (Kokuto), Cask Matured is a collaboration with Yayoi Shochu Brewery LPC, a family owned craft distillery on Amami Oshima Islands of Kagoshima and Hacchan who, somewhere along the way was also exposed to Whisky and the benefits of Cask Maturation. Made from brown sugar sourced from various producers in Okinawa and Thai Mai (Thai Rice) White Koji and single distilled under normal atmospheric pressure (making it a Honkaku Shochu) to retain the flavors of the underlying ingredient, this Batch 1 is a blend of 3-5 years Kokuto Shocho aged in refill/recharred virgin American White Oak Casks to add layers of complexity and flavour to the original spirit. Color: Light Straw, White Wine Nose: Intricate nose of sugarcane like sweetness, fresh fruits like green apples, pear and mint balanced with subtle salted caramel and some oak spices. Palate: Initial sweetness gently gives way to some savoury, umami like notes with a finish of pepper, spices and a hint of dark chocolate.

Recommended way to Drink: Straight Up, On the Rocks or as a Highball (3 parts of sparkling water to 1 part The Hachi Shochu).

THE HACHI SHOCHU, Rice (KOME KASU), Cask Matured is a collaboration with Nakamoto Sake Brewery Co.,Ltd, located in Nara, Japan and with a history dating back to 1727. Traditionally producing Junmai, Junmai Ginjo and Junmai Daiginjo the fermentation rice mash that remains after after the Sake has been pressed out from the Moromi is called Kome Kasu aka Sake Kasu. A usual by-product of the Sake brewing process with an ABV of about 8-13% the Kasu is then single distilled (making it a Honkaku Shochu) under vacuum pressure to retain the flavours of the underlying ingredient KOME (Rice) and then matured for about 8 years in a Refill Virgin Oak Cask to add layers of complexity to the original spirit. Come and enjoy this special bottling with Hacchan. Color: Very Light Straw/Pale Yellow. Nose: A sweet aroma of freshly cooked Japanese rice, mochi cream, fresh green apple, tropical fruits such as melon, guava, banana with undertones of honeycomb and grapefruit. Palate: Initial sweetness, fresh vanilla, honey reminding us of the oak maturation balanced with fresh apricots, sour plums and dark chocolate to finish. Reminiscent of a fruity and dry sake. The flavours of KOME (Rice) are very much present along with the additional layers of flavours from cask maturation.

Recommended way to Drink: Straight Up, On the Rocks or as a Highball (3 parts of sparkling water to 1 part The Hachi Shochu).