Ginza No Suzume Shochu

Ginza is best known as a popular neighborhood in tokyo so the name of this shochu could be misleading suggesting a trendy product that’s more commercial than it is quality. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Ginza is an aged shochu from a distillery in a remote village on kyushu island that has been producing sake since 1864. 20% abv 40 proof ginza no suzume kohaku may be the first shochu i tried that showed just how diverse and complex this style of spirit can be. Ginza is a barley shochu much like iichiko which i consider a super easy drinking mild tasty starter-shochu yet the two couldn’t be more different. Kohaku is aged in repurposed american white oak bourbon barrels. This gives the shochu its golden tint and oaked smokey nose and taste. On the palette it starts with the strangely oaken earthy flavor that transforms into a sweet caramel. The finish is reminiscent of mint as if you’ve just finished a piece of chewing gum. Overall it tastes remarkably like a very