Japanese Spirits

Japanese whisky from Mars and Takamine sits next to barley shochu in our Japanese spirits.

Japanese Whisky

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    Shochu

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      Japanese spirits questions

      What is shochu?

      Shochu is a Japanese distilled spirit made from barley (mugi), rice (kome), sweet potato (imo), buckwheat (soba) or brown sugar (kokuto). It's usually around 25% alcohol, lower than most Western spirits. It's often served with water (hot or cold), on the rocks, or with soda in a highball called chuhai, and it's especially popular in Kyushu.

      What's the difference between shochu and sake?

      Sake is brewed, like beer, by fermenting polished rice with koji and yeast, and it's usually around 15 to 16% alcohol. Shochu is distilled after fermentation, like vodka or whisky, and is usually around 25% alcohol. Shochu can be made from many base ingredients, while sake is made only from rice.

      What is Japanese whisky like?

      Japanese whisky follows the Scotch tradition, with single malts and blends made from malted barley, but it's known for balance, precision and elegance. Many are light and fruity, while others use peat or Japanese mizunara oak, which gives sandalwood and incense notes. It's excellent neat and also in highballs, a very popular way to drink it in Japan.