Shochu is a popular Japanese distilled spirit made of many different ingredients such as barley, sweet potatoes, rice, buckwheat, brown sugar, and among others. This unique distilled spirit production first began in the southern region of Japan around the 15th century and gradually spread all over Japan. In recent years the popularity of Shochu has been revived among Japanese, notably the young generation.
There are two kinds of Shochu: "Kohrui Shochu", often called "Japanese vodka", is made by continuous distillation of polysaccharidic materials, and "Otsurui Shochu", also better known as "Honkaku (authentic) Shochu", made by single distillation. The former (Kohrui Shochu and grain whiskey) needs continuous distillation whereas the latter (Otsurui Shochu and malt whiskey) requires pot still.
Kohrui Shochu | Honkaku Shochu | |
Raw Materials | Syrup/Molasses/Others | Grain/Others |
Fermentation | Single fermentation | Parallel multiple fermentation |
Distillation Method |
Continuous distillation | Pot-still, single distillation |
Percentage of Alcohol |
Less than 36% | Less than 45% |
"Honkaku Shochu" comes in a variety of tastes and flavors (like sake and wines) that originate from the raw ingredients. However, if you understand the following four key elements:
You will grasp the basics of Shochu and figure out your favorite ones even when thousand different kinds are presented. Once you start looking for Shochu by yourself, you will realize the depth of its world.
Click here to see the details of Shochu brewing and distilling process.
More than sixty kinds of raw ingredients are used in the Shochu production. Each adds a distinctive taste to the resultant Shochu. The major ones are wheat, rice, sweet potatoes and dates.
Sweet potato field/Rice paddy
The unique feature of Japanese Shochu and Sake is the use "Koji" (malted rice) for brewing. Other brewed or distilled alcohol made all over the world uses only yeast. Japanese Shochu, on the other hand, uses "Koji" in addition to yeast.
Shochu is distilled in two methods: single-distilling and multiple-distilling. Honkaku Shochu is made by single distillation that specifically excludes the extracts at the beginning and the ending of distillation process. There are two kinds of distillation methods. There are two kinds of distillation methods. In addition, pot-still (distillation machines) varies in its materials (ex. wood, stainless, tins), its sizes and forms, depending on distilleries.
There are mainly three ways of aging Shochu; aging in barrels, ceramic pots, and tanks.
Barrels
Ceramic Pots
Tanks