Japan’s Original Craft Spirit

iichiko shochu is the native spirit of Japan – a white spirit that’s incredibly rich in flavor, yet smooth and easy to drink with food. iichiko is the true harmony between nature and science, distilled in Kyushu, Oita Japan.

Origins of iichiko Shochu

Two Row Barley

iichiko uses 100% two-row barley in its shochu, known as barley shochu. This barley is polished to remove impurities and unlock the characteristic flavor and character of barley.

Koji

Koji is the secret behind shochu – it’s how iichiko can be so rich in flavor, character, and aroma but still so smooth and easy to drink.

Water

iichiko uses water naturally filtered through over 1,000 feet of volcanic rock. This soft, iron-free water is used to steep the barley.

Single Distillation

For authentic (Honkaku) shochu like iichiko, the mash is distilled only once. iichiko insists on single distillation to ensure that all the flavor from the ingredients are well contained inside the bottle.

The Secret of iichiko Shochu

Koji is the secret behind shochu – it’s how iichiko can be so rich in flavor, character, and aroma but still so smooth and easy to drink.

 

 

Koji kickstarts the conversion process from starch to sugar, and also releases citric acid that serves to preserve the barley’s flavor during the process.

 

Ways of serving iichiko Shochu

Here are four common ways you can serve iichiko Shochu:

On The Rocks

  • Pour ice into the glass
  • Pour 2 parts of iichiko shochu into the glass
  • Generally shochu has to be poured on the ice and mixed well. When the ice melts, it too can also be enjoyed because it offers a taste different from the original beverage.

iichiko Highball

  • Pour ice into the glass
  • Pour in 1 part of iichiko shochu into the glass
  • Pour in 0.5 part of soda water into the glass
  • Put in a slice of lemon into the glass
  • Stir well and serve

With Hot Water

  • Pour in 1 part hot water into the glass
  • Pour in 1 part of iichiko shochu into the glass
  • Ensure that hot water used is not ‘too hot’

iichiko Orange Cocktail

  • Fill the glass with plenty of ice
  • Pour in 2 parts iichiko shochu into the glass
  • Slowly pour 1 part soda into the glass
  • Pour in 2 parts of orange juice
  • Stir gently and mix it well

 

The list does not end here, there are in fact many ways to drink iichiko Shochu.