Jikuya White Sweet Potato Shochu
The Data
Category Soju/Shochu/Baijiu
Sub-Category Sweet Potato Shochu
Origin Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
Retail Price $45.99
ABV 25%
Score 5 Stars/98 points/Supreme!
In the Glass
Appearance
Brilliant, crystal clear.
Aromatics
The nose is absolutely beautiful offering scents of ripe stone fruits, as well as tropical fruit, white flowers, roasted sweet potatoes, and Darjeeling tea, with subtle herb and spice accents.
Flavor
The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich but vibrant roasted fruit and vegetable core with waves of mineral, herbs, and soft pepper accents rising on the finish.
Intensity & Texture
Medium-bodied and wonderfully complex with the flavors coming in subtle waves rather hitting you over the head with a dominant note.
Cool Factor
This beautiful Shochu is an amazing, world-class spirit with the depth and complexity found in the best of the best. Perhaps our favorite spirit of our 2022 tastings.
Value Grade
Selling at under $50 a bottle this great artisan Shochu is a terrific bargain being both rare and of high-quality.
Analysis
Made entirely from ingredients harvested in Kagoshima Prefecture (Japan is divided into 47 prefectures — like small states). Anno imo sweet potatoes — only approved for growing in Tanegashima, Japan, are employed and added to the secondary fermentation. This variety of sweet potato adds the unique spice notes found in this great Shochu. The initial fermentation is done exclusively with Japanese rice. Fermentation takes place in decades-old clay pots buried to their shoulders in the distillery floor. The fermented product is pot-distilled just once and then aged for a period of at least three years in unglazed clay pots. This is one of our favorite spirits of 2022.
How to Enjoy
We prefer Jikuya White served chilled, and undiluted. However, if you prefer it on the rocks or perhaps with the addition of water please do so.