TAKARA SHUZO
Brewery/Distillery: Takara Shuzo International Co., Ltd.
Founded: 1842
Takara Group was founded in 1842, by the Yomo family in Kyoto’s Fushimi district. They have only brewed sake until 1864, where shochu, mirin, and shirozake were introduced by them. In 1925, the company was then reincorporated as Takara Shuzo Co., Ltd., with Usaburo Yomo as their first president. Together with Kurakichi Ohmiya, they extended the sales of Takara-brand shochu and mirin products across all of Japan, thereby creating the foundation of today's Takara Group.
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Tasting Notes
TaKaRa Chu-Hi Lemon flavored sparkling cocktail is a clean, refreshing drink with fresh lemon flavor. It’s lightly cloudy in the glass, just like great lemonade. It smells like fresh-squeezed lemons accented by a hint of lemon candy. The palate is pure and lemony with long-lasting flavor and just enough sweetness to balance the tangy fruit without seeming sweet. TaKaRa “CHU-HI,” short for Sho-chu Highball, is an iconic Japanese sparkling cocktail that fuses Shochu(Japanese distilled spirit) and fresh juice sourced from locally grown fruits in Japan. Its mild alcohol content, delicate sweetness, and superbly refreshing fruit flavors are sure to be memorable.
Overview
Food Pairings: Drink TaKaRa Chu-Hi Lemon on its own or with your favorite savory snacks. Also pair very well with picnic foods such as fried chicken and sandwiches. You can also use TaKaRa Chu-Hi Lemon in place lemon-lime soda or ginger ale in cocktails with gin, vodka, or whiskey.
Specifications
Type of Shochu: Korui
Main Ingredient: TaKaRa Shochu
Type of Koji: N/A
Distillation Method: Multiple
Aged: N/A
ABV: 5.5%
Size: 355ml
Distillery Profile
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Tasting Notes
TaKaRa Chu-Hi White Peach sparkling cocktail has a delightfully fresh and flavorful taste of summer, like biting into a white peach just picked off the tree. TaKaRa “CHU-HI,” short for Sho-chu Highball, is an iconic Japanese sparkling cocktail that fuses Shochu (Japanese distilled spirit) and fresh juice sourced from locally grown fruits in Japan. Its mild alcohol content, delicate sweetness, and superbly refreshing fruit flavors are sure to be memorable.
Overview
Food Pairings: Drink TaKaRa Chu-Hi White Peach accompany with prosciutto, medium soft to hard white cheeses, or mildly sweet pastries. Perfect for a Sunday brunch, a great combination with Eggs Benedict or bacon and cheese quiche. For an even more festive cocktail, add some TaKaRa Chu-Hi White Peach to a glass of Champagne!
Specifications
Type of Shochu: Korui
Main Ingredient: TaKaRa Shochu
Type of Koji: N/A
Distillation Method: Multiple
Aged: N/A
ABV: 4.5%
Size: 355ml
Distillery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
Takara Chu Hi Fuji Apple smells so much like fresh, aromatic apple slices that it’s hard to believe it’s a cocktail. It tastes like biting into a crisp, juicy apple. TaKaRa “CHU-HI,” short for Sho-chu Highball, is an iconic Japanese sparkling cocktail that fuses Shochu (Japanese distilled spirit) and fresh juice sourced from locally grown fruits in Japan. Its mild alcohol content, delicate sweetness, and superbly refreshing fruit flavors are sure to be memorable.
Overview
Food Pairings: Drink Takara Chu Hi Fuji Apple on its own, with your favorite savory snacks, or with fruit and cheese plates. Also pairs well with various meals, including salads, chicken, and sushi. Try adding whiskey to Takara Chu Hi Fuji Apple or a bolder cocktail.
Specifications
Type of Shochu: Korui
Main Ingredient: TaKaRa Shochu
Type of Koji: N/A
Distillation Method: Multiple
Aged: N/A
ABV: 4.5%
Size: 355ml
Distillery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
This convenient, single-serve sake offers traditional Junmai aromas of Asian pear, salted melon, banana, and cream. The silky palate has a satisfying weight and is gently mouthwatering. Flavors include fruity notes from the nose-pear, melon and banana-but also wonderfully savory aspects, including custard, cocoa, banana bread, and baking spices. The palate becomes more intense and rich in umami. Flavors include salty dried beef and banana bread with walnuts.
Overview
Food Pairings: This sake’s balance of fruit and savoriness makes it versatile with food. It will be very good with egg custards, soba noodles, chicken breast, or moderately flavored white fish, steamed shellfish. It has the intensity to hold up to filet mignon, yakitori, and the complexity to shine with a simple bowl of seasoned white rice.
Specifications
Class: Junmai
Rice: Japanese Rice
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 70%
ABV: 15%
Size: 120ml, 180ml
Brewery Profile
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Tasting Notes
This is a very refined sake with flavors and aromas that are subtle and soothing. It’s wonderful near a warm fireplace in the evening after a long day shredding the ski slopes. Subtle aromas reminiscent of French vanilla ice cream and cardamom lead into a soft, creamy palate with silky texture and flavors of lightly seasoned cream of wheat and honeydew. At room temperature, hidden notes of baking spice become more prominent and the palate is even creamier.
Overview
Food Pairings: This sake is ideal for subtle, creamy foods such as chicken korma, squash blossom risotto, and California rolls. It will also match with steamed white fish, a buttery lobster roll, or a bowl of popcorn.
Specifications
Class: Junmai
Rice: N/A
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 78%
ABV: 13.5%
Size: 300ml, 720ml, 1800ml
Brewery Profile
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Tasting Notes
Distilled from 100% Beni Satsuma Sweet Potatoes (a sweet, mild specialty sweet potato of Southern Kyushu) and made using an original Sweet Potato Koji instead of Rice Koji. The sophisticated round, sweet taste and elegant, soft aromatics of Beni Satsuma are drawn out with Komaki Jozo's technique.
Overview
Food Pairings: Fried Chicken, Yakitori, Well-Seasoned Meat Dishes, Grilled Fish, Creamy Dishes
Specifications
Type of Shochu: Otsu Rui
Main Ingredient: Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato Koji
Type of Koji: White Koji Kin
Distillation Method: Single (Normal Pressure)
Aged: N/A
ABV: 25%
Size: 720ml
Distillery Profile
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Tasting Notes
Has a light floral aroma and easy, soft mouthfeel. This is achieved by using rice polished down to 55% for the Yellow Koji, like Ginjo Sake, creating the flowery characteristics. It is finished off by being poured into large porcelain pots which are then stored in caves and left to age.
Overview
Food Pairings: Sashimi, Grilled Fish, Lightly Seasoned Fried Dishes
Specifications
Type of Shochu: Otsu Rui
Main Ingredient: Rice, Rice Koji
Type of Koji: Yellow Koji
Distillation Method: Single (Less Pressure)
Aged: N/A
ABV: 25%
Size: 750ml
Distillery Profile
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Tasting Notes
Made with 100% Southern Kyushu Sweet Potatoes and their original Sweet Potato Koji, rather than Rice Koji which is usually used even in Imo Shochu. From these, Ikkomon draws it's sweet yet refreshing aroma and flavor.
Overview
Food Pairings: Fried Chicken, Yakitori, Well-Seasoned Meat Dishes, Grilled Fish, Creamy Dishes
Awards: 2013 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition Gold Award
Specifications
Type of Shochu: Otsu Rui
Main Ingredient: Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato Koji
Type of Koji: White Koji Kin
Distillation Method: Single (Normal Pressure)
Aged: N/A
ABV: 25%
Size: 750ml
Distillery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
A premium blend of 11 different barrel aged Shochu, Takara Shuzo was able to create this soft, aromatic and well balanced Shochu. Perfect for cocktails.
Overview
Food Pairings: Pork Belly Kakuni, Tempura
Specifications
Type of Shochu: Kou Rui
Main Ingredient: Sugar Cane Molasses, Barley, Corn
Type of Koji: N/A
Distillation Method: Continuous Distillation
Aged: N/A
ABV: 35%
Size: 750ml
Distillery Profile
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Tasting Notes
KISSUI is made from the finest rice and the purist spring water in Japan. An exceptional distilling process, called “Super-Allospas,” distinguishes the pristine spirit from any other. Smooth and elegant, this well-polished vodka pleases the palate from the first sip to the silky finish. KISSUI enchants, whether on the rocks or paired with your favorite mix.
Overview
Food Pairings: N/A
Specifications
Type: Vodka
Region: Kyoto
Distillery: Takara Shuzo
Aging: N/A
Barrel Type: N/A
ABV: 40%
Size: 750ml
Brewery Profile
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Tasting Notes
Has a rich aroma and a deep, full bodied flavor thanks to the aromatic Black Koji. They also use premium quality raw materials, hoping to pursue and showcase the true Imo taste.
Overview
Food Pairings: Pork Belly Kakuni, Tempura
Specifications
Type of Shochu: Otsu Rui
Main Ingredient: Sweet Potato
Type of Koji: Black
Distillation Method: Normal Pressure
Aged: N/A
ABV: 24%
Size: 720ml
Distillery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
Takara Shuzo's Shochu is steeped in 100 years of tradition. This is their #1 Bestselling Kou-rui Shochu, revered for its high quality and good taste. They blended multiple aged Shochu in order to create this uniquely addictive smoothness.
Overview
Food Pairings: Bold and lightly flavored dishes
Specifications
Type of Shochu: Kou
Main Ingredient: Sugar Cane Molasses, Barley
Type of Koji: N/A
Distillation Method: Continuous Distillation
Aged: N/A
ABV: 24%
Size: 1750ml
Distillery Profile
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Tasting Notes
Using their original creation "Soba Koji" and 100% buckwheat, Kurokabegura presents this blended Otsu-rui Genshu Shochu. The combination of ingredients and technique create a rich, toasted, nutty and semi-sweet Shochu that is easy and pleasant to drink.
Overview
Food Pairings: Easily paired with both bold and lightly flavored dishes.
Specifications
Type of Shochu: Otsu Rui
Main Ingredient: Soba (Buckwheat), Soba Koji
Type of Koji: White (Soba Koji)
Distillation Method: Single (Normal & Less Pressure)
Aged: N/A
ABV: 25%
Size: 750ml
Distillery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
With exclusively Japan-grown rice polished down to 70% and their original aromatic yeasts, and fermenting at a low temperature (a method known as Gin Jiokomi) an elegant floral aroma and a clean tasting Shochu is formed.
Overview
Food Pairings: Bold and lightly flavored dishes
Specifications
Type of Shochu: Otsu
Main Ingredient: Rice, Rice Koji
Type of Koji: Yellow Koji Kin
Distillation Method: Single (Less Pressure)
Aged: N/A
ABV: 25%
Size: 720ml
Distillery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
Tasting Notes
Takara Shuzo polished the Barley down to 60% of the original size and used their own Tanrei Shiro Koji, fermenting in a low temperature (a technique known as Ginrei Jikomi). This creates refreshing yet aromatic Shochu.
Overview
Food Pairings: Bold and lightly flavored dishes
Specifications
Type of Shochu: Otsu Rui
Main Ingredient: Barely, Barley Koji
Type of Koji: White Koji-Kin
Distillation Method: Single (Less Pressure)
Aged: N/A
ABV: 25%
Size: 720ml
Tasting Notes
Kohaku no Yokaichi is a single-barrel release shochu made solely from barley, then aged to perfection. The nose is sweet and mellow with notes of barley, cinnamon, leather, aged wood, light caramel, and dry tobacco. It is smooth and lightly creamy on the palate, with flavors that include cocoa, dried mint, light caramel, and porcini mushroom. The graceful finish is lightly salty with no bite.
Overview
Food Pairings: Pairs very well with light, savory foods such as almonds and Manchego cheese, or cold soba, lightly seared Wagyu beef, seared salmon, Porcini mushroom risotto, cheese galettes, grilled chicken skewers (especially with crispy chicken skin), chicken karaage.
Specifications
Type of Shochu: Otsu Rui
Main Ingredient: Barely, Barley Koji
Type of Koji: White Koji-Kin
Distillation Method: Single (Less Pressure)
Aged: 1 Year
ABV: 25%
Size: 720ml
Distillery Profile
Trade Resources
Specification Sheets & Bottle Images
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