Yaemaru Shochu
Yaemaru is Suntory’s honkaku (“the real thing”), and is a wonderful spirit. A warm spirit that is earthy with a lot of character. It reminds me of vodka but with more character. It has a woody flavor like scotch or bourbon, but the flavor is not as overpowering. This is great as a mixer and has a lot of potential for you mixologists out there. This is the kind of spirit you could drink everyday. I have had this bottle for a few weeks now and every time I try it, it grows on me. This is a Mugi Jochu (“barley shochu”), so if you want something stronger than wine or beer, but don’t want the punch to the gut of a higher proof Bourban or Whiskey, this is a great spirit for you. It has more of a lingering aftertaste, so if you enjoy that this will be a pleasant drink for you.
According to the Astor Wines website where I bought it in NYC, it is “very woody on the palate with cedar and cantaloupe.” I can definitely taste a sweetness that would have to be the cantalope. There is just a hint of something mysterious which gives this shochu a great depth. I have tried this with a variety of foods and unlike a sweet potato shochu can go with anything.
Nose light and clean.
Palette a hint of something nutty with a woody flavor. Very earthy and sensual. I know this sounds like BS, but you just have to experience it.
Finish very vodka like with a lingering hint of something, maybe that’s the cantalope.
Proof 48 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.
According to Suntory’s website, they have redefined the marketing of this product and have put a lot of money into their two shochu ‘pillars:’ Yaemaru and Sorekara. I have to say the bottle is handsome and the brown label’s reinforce the woody barley flavor. This spirit is Suntory’s honkaku shochu ( “The real thing”) and is carefully made and distilled by the Satsuma toji (“head brewer”) of a traditional shochu manufacturer in Kagoshima. It’s rigorous dedication to tradition is touted by the company as well as over 500 years of experience. You can read the press release here.
The design of the bottle is made to reflect that shochu is a traditional spirit and an ancient one. The texture of the bottle is to reflect porcelein and the paper traditional rice paper.
Mixology
Yaemara is great neat and on the rocks. It also mixes easily and without overpowering. In some drinks where you want some flavor it brings it. Other times where it is mostly adding alcohol it does not overpower but adds complexity. This is just a great drink.
Red Bull and Yaemara Sometimes you need alcohol and caffeine and this is much better imho than a red bull and vodka. The yaemara’s earthyness takes away from the very manufactured feel of the bull. I like it!
Sprite and Shochu These two just work great together. I can’t say enough good things about this combination. The sweetness and fizz of the sprite and the smooth alcohol and nutty woody aroma make this a good pairing.
Shochu Latte I have tried this in several different coffee drinks and it works wonders. The heat of the drink and the warmth of the alcohol in the belly are great for a cold night. I have tried this in straight coffee, a cafe au lait, and a latte. I like the au lait the best. A cold night and a great cigar and you’ve got yourself a night.
According to the Astor Wines website where I bought it in NYC, it is “very woody on the palate with cedar and cantaloupe.” I can definitely taste a sweetness that would have to be the cantalope. There is just a hint of something mysterious which gives this shochu a great depth. I have tried this with a variety of foods and unlike a sweet potato shochu can go with anything.
Nose light and clean.
Palette a hint of something nutty with a woody flavor. Very earthy and sensual. I know this sounds like BS, but you just have to experience it.
Finish very vodka like with a lingering hint of something, maybe that’s the cantalope.
Proof 48 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.
According to Suntory’s website, they have redefined the marketing of this product and have put a lot of money into their two shochu ‘pillars:’ Yaemaru and Sorekara. I have to say the bottle is handsome and the brown label’s reinforce the woody barley flavor. This spirit is Suntory’s honkaku shochu ( “The real thing”) and is carefully made and distilled by the Satsuma toji (“head brewer”) of a traditional shochu manufacturer in Kagoshima. It’s rigorous dedication to tradition is touted by the company as well as over 500 years of experience. You can read the press release here.
The design of the bottle is made to reflect that shochu is a traditional spirit and an ancient one. The texture of the bottle is to reflect porcelein and the paper traditional rice paper.
Mixology
Yaemara is great neat and on the rocks. It also mixes easily and without overpowering. In some drinks where you want some flavor it brings it. Other times where it is mostly adding alcohol it does not overpower but adds complexity. This is just a great drink.
Red Bull and Yaemara Sometimes you need alcohol and caffeine and this is much better imho than a red bull and vodka. The yaemara’s earthyness takes away from the very manufactured feel of the bull. I like it!
Sprite and Shochu These two just work great together. I can’t say enough good things about this combination. The sweetness and fizz of the sprite and the smooth alcohol and nutty woody aroma make this a good pairing.
Shochu Latte I have tried this in several different coffee drinks and it works wonders. The heat of the drink and the warmth of the alcohol in the belly are great for a cold night. I have tried this in straight coffee, a cafe au lait, and a latte. I like the au lait the best. A cold night and a great cigar and you’ve got yourself a night.