TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Japanese Spirit Types
Japanese single malt, blended malt, and blended whiskies were inspired and modeled on Scottish tradition. They are double distilled from malted barley, which is occasionally peated (dried over smoked peat) and fermented grains. The spirit is then aged in oak casks, which may include American or Scottish oak, old Sherry casks, or Japanese Mizunara oak.
The official production of Japanese whiskey started in 1923 when the first distillery was opened in Yamazaki (Kyoto). The distillery was a joint effort of Shinjiro Torii and Masataka Taketsuru, who eventually went to found his own Nikka distillery on Hokkaido.
THE BEST Japanese Whisky Spirits
Akkeshi
Akkeshi Taisetsu Single Malt Japanese Whisky
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold 2024
Wakatsuru Shuzo Co. Ltd.
SABUROMARUⅡ The high priestess Cask strength
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold 2023
Believed to have been the first distilled beverage in Japan, awamori is almost exclusively associated with Okinawa. The drink is distilled from fermented long-grained rice and black koji mold, which is usually referenced as the key ingredient that gives awamori its distinctive flavor.
The drink improves and mellows with age and is typically stored in clay pots and allowed to mature. It is the most common drink on Okinawa that is usually served alongside water and ice, allowing each person to mix and adjust it according to their taste.
Shōchū is the most popular Japanese spirit that has been produced since the 16th century. It is distilled from fermented koji mold and various basic ingredients such as barley, sweet potatoes, rice, buckwheat, brown sugar, as well as sesame, chestnuts, carrots, or perilla leaves.
The choice of the base ingredient and the type of koji used in the production are crucial since the top quality shōchū (honkaku) is distilled only once to show the true character of the base ingredient. Shōchū usually comes at 25% ABV, and traditionally it is not matured.
VARIATIONS OF Shōchū
THE BEST Shōchū Spirits
CHIE IMAI Group
edible fragrance MORRIS Shochu
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold 2023
This shōchū variety is distilled from barley mash that has been fermented with koji mold. It is one of the most common shōchū varieties that is usually smooth, pleasant, and easy to drink. Unaged varieties are crisp, mild, and fresh, while those aged in oak develop light amber color and are typically smooth and mellow. Barley (mugi) shōchū can be served on the rocks or mixed with cold or warm water.
It is typically bottled at 25% ABV.
The use of sweet potatoes in the production of shōchū was introduced in the 1700s. The drink is produced by steaming, or occasionally grilling or baking whole potatoes, before they are fermented with koji mold. With over 40 different types of potatoes used in the production of shochu, as well as the use of different manufacturing techniques, sweet potato shōchū can significantly differ in character and the final taste profile, while its quality greatly depends on the amount of starch in potatoes.
Depending on the style, it can be served on the rocks or mixed with warm water.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Japanese Spirit Producers
Iichiko is a renowned Japanese producer of shochu, a traditional Japanese spirit made from various ingredients like barley, sweet potatoes, and rice. Founded by Sanwa Shurui, Iichiko is famous for its commitment to high-quality production and innovation.
Headquartered in the Oita Prefecture of Kyushu, Japan, an area known for its clean water and natural beauty, Iichiko has become a global leader in the shochu industry. Iichiko's most notable products include its flagship barley-based shochu, iichiko Saiten, which is crafted using unique methods such as the "all Koji" fermentation technique.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2022
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024
BEST Iichiko Spirits
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2022, 2021
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024, 2021, 2020
BEST Hombo Shuzo Liqueurs
AWARDS
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2020, 2019
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold
2024
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold trophy
2020
AWARDS
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
The Asian Spirits Masters - Gold
2022
BEST The Kyoto Distillery Spirits
AWARDS
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2024
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2023, 2022, 2021, 2019
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024
BEST Suntory Liquors Limited Spirits
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024
BEST Nozawa Onsen Distillery Spirits
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold
2024
BEST Kanosuke Spirits
Located in Japan’s northern most island of Hokkaido and further east than any other distillery in the country, production at Akkeshi Distillery started in 2016. The goal of Akkeshi Distillery is to blend traditional Scottish methods with the unique flavors of Akkeshi, Japan.
With extremely unique aromas and flavors unlike anything else these whiskies will be a delight to aficionados worldwide. Akkeshi Distillery is the true embodiment of craftsmanship and is on track to be a leader in the highest quality Japanese whisky world.
AWARDS
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold
2024
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
AWARDS
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2020
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold
2024
BEST VentureWhisky Ltd. Spirits
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy
2022, 2020
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100
2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Japanese Spirits
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Chairman's Trophy
2023, 2022, 2020
USC- Ultimate Spirits Challenge - Top 100
2023, 2022, 2020
Iichiko Saiten is a premium barley shochu with an ABV of 43%. It's known for its smooth, clean flavor profile, which is the result of a meticulous single-distillation process. The spirit is crafted using barley koji, allowing it to retain a rich depth of flavor while maintaining a crisp, refreshing finish.
This high-quality product is popular both in Japan and internationally, especially in cocktail culture.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2022
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold
2024
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2023
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gin Gold Trophy
2023
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2022
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Whiskey Gold Trophy
2022
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2023
AWARDS
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2020
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold
2024
AWARDS
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2022, 2021
AWARDS
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
AWARDS
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2020, 2019
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