Koyomi Shochu

Nose: Gentle herbal notes, crushed grains, and a rich malt scent. There's a sweet, nearly floral fragrance that brings vanilla to mind, though I suspect it's just the sweet scent of a neutral spirit. Palate: Very mellow, light, and sweet upon first taste. Grain, yeast, a milky quality, and a mild peppery spice akin to a faint hint of Szechuan pepper emerge during its smooth evolution, complemented by a pleasant savory depth. Finish: Brief. Sweet grain flavors that dissolve into a slightly tart aftertaste. This is my initial experience with shochu, making a definitive assessment difficult. My first thought was that it resembled sake, but less concentrated. Imagine mixing equal parts sake, vodka, and water... that's the sensation. It's considerably more engaging than vodka (what isn't?), and elements of both the aroma and taste strongly recall jonge genever. This seemed unexpected for what I assumed was a rice distillate, but I later learned it's actually made from entirely barley, validating the genever comparison. Earlier, I described it as roughly one-third sake, vodka, and water; adding a small amount of white dog would pretty much capture it. I sampled it neat at room temperature, then with a large ice sphere, followed by a lime twist, and finally with soda water. It was quite agreeable in all these preparations. I haven't tried warming it yet, but I anticipate it would be enjoyable that way too. I've found myself using this spirit as a base for low-alcohol mixed drinks, particularly during the recent intense heatwaves here in Sydney, as it's ideal for light refreshments. It pairs well when chilled with soda and fruit juice, and complements subtly flavored dishes. Unsurprisingly, it's a good match for sashimi or a crisp salad with a sesame dressing. I likely won't repurchase this bottle once it's empty. It's a pleasant beverage but somewhat specialized for my preferences, though I do intend to explore this spirit category further. It holds a substantial market share in Japan, but only a few varieties are available locally. My intuition suggests that within its category, this is comparable to Johnnie Walker Double Black, hence my similar rating. “Good”: 83/100 (3.5 stars)