iichiko is Japan's leading barley shochu brand, produced by Sanwa Shurui in Oita Prefecture. Since its launch in 1979, iichiko has become a household name, celebrated for its clean flavour and approachable style, playing a key role in popularising mugi (barley) shochu across Japan. The range emphasises purity, craftsmanship, and accessibility, using high-quality ingredients, traditional Honkaku distillation methods, and soft volcanic spring water. With its reputation for quality, iichiko has grown beyond Japan to become a global ambassador for shochu, appealing to both traditional drinkers and modern bartenders.