Iichiko Shochu: smooth versatility
As an everyday shochu, it can’t be beat. Made by the Sanwa Shurui Co., Ltd., it is Japan’s best selling shochu. Shochu’s tend to fall in three categories: sweet potato, rice, and barley. Iichiko is a barley, or Mugi Jochu, and very smooth and clean. If you want something stronger than wine, but not as intense as vodka or whiskey, this is a good spirit for you.
Made from polished barley, koji, and water, this is a great spirit. It tastes great neat, it can be mixed with anything, and plays well with others. I have now had it with a range of food such as steak, salmon, a burger, and sushi. It just went with everything beautifully. Cigarability? Excellent. Anyone who knows me knows I love cigars. I have had this with the entire arsenal of CAO cigars as well as a few other brands. It went great with cigars. A great after work combo.
Nose Like a sake it smells very exotic yet approachable.
Palette vodka like with the airiness of sake.
Finish very dry
Proof 50 Proof , distilled from Barley
Overall impresion This is just a great drink. It’s hard to articulate in words the tastes and smells but if you were only going to try one shochu, this would be the one I would recommend. The only reason I would not is that being a barley it does have some similarities with what westerners are used to, like a scotch although without the peat smokiness. In that case sweet potato and rice shochu’s feel more exotic and different and would be more thrilling for someone seeking this.
Mixology
This barley shochu really excels when drunk neat. It is wonderful when mixed as well, which is why I am amazed at the versatility.
Iichi-coke I grew up drinking Jack and Coke’s religiously, and I am sure some people will be offended by this, but Iichiko and Coke is wonderfully smooth. Without the typical Jack charcoaly aftertaste it is great drink.
Sprite and Iichi This truly tastes like a vodka drink. The sweet sprite taste is a great compliment.
Jello Shochu Shots I am excited to make these tonight. Why should vodka get all the fun. Will update after I make these tonight.
Made from polished barley, koji, and water, this is a great spirit. It tastes great neat, it can be mixed with anything, and plays well with others. I have now had it with a range of food such as steak, salmon, a burger, and sushi. It just went with everything beautifully. Cigarability? Excellent. Anyone who knows me knows I love cigars. I have had this with the entire arsenal of CAO cigars as well as a few other brands. It went great with cigars. A great after work combo.
Nose Like a sake it smells very exotic yet approachable.
Palette vodka like with the airiness of sake.
Finish very dry
Proof 50 Proof , distilled from Barley
Overall impresion This is just a great drink. It’s hard to articulate in words the tastes and smells but if you were only going to try one shochu, this would be the one I would recommend. The only reason I would not is that being a barley it does have some similarities with what westerners are used to, like a scotch although without the peat smokiness. In that case sweet potato and rice shochu’s feel more exotic and different and would be more thrilling for someone seeking this.
Mixology
This barley shochu really excels when drunk neat. It is wonderful when mixed as well, which is why I am amazed at the versatility.
Iichi-coke I grew up drinking Jack and Coke’s religiously, and I am sure some people will be offended by this, but Iichiko and Coke is wonderfully smooth. Without the typical Jack charcoaly aftertaste it is great drink.
Sprite and Iichi This truly tastes like a vodka drink. The sweet sprite taste is a great compliment.
Jello Shochu Shots I am excited to make these tonight. Why should vodka get all the fun. Will update after I make these tonight.