iichiko Saiten
iichiko Saiten, meaning to make a mark, is a Japanese Honkaku shochu, the most strictly regulated style of shochu, made from 100% barley and created specifically for cocktails. It is distilled at the family-run Sanwa Shurui distillery on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, the birthplace of the spirit and home to the 500-year distilling tradition.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Honeydew melon, white grape, pickled watermelon rind and kabosu citrus, with hints of soy, white pepper and barley.
Palate
Rich umami with jasmine tea, white peach, minerals, earth and citrus.
Finish
Long, mineral and saline.
Comment
A complex, high-strength shochu that combines fruit, umami and minerality while retaining enough intensity for mixed drinks.
