MD - Spirits Portfolio

HONKAKU

SHOCHU

HONKAKU SHOCHU JAPAN Honkaku Spirits is devoted to bringing intensely artisanal Japanese spirits to discerning American customers with a particular focus on koji-based spirits including Honkaku (meaning authentic) Shochu, Ryukyu Awamori from Okinawa, and koji whiskey, an as-yet undefined but widely enjoyed category of whiskey. Working exclusively with family-run suppliers, Honkaku Spirits endeavors to introduce the finest traditional spirits Japan.

COLORFUL JAPAN SHORO DISTILLERY, KUSHIMA, MIYAZAKI PREFECTURE Colorful Shochu Sweet Potato and Rice 60PF / 750ML

This blended sweet potato shochu is made by blending the raw distillate from two different batches. One batch was made in 2016 from black koji rice and Miyazaki Beni sweet potatoes grown in Miyazaki Prefecture. The other was made in 2019 from white koji rice and Tama Akane sweet potatoes grown in Kagoshima Prefecture. This collaboration between two master brewer-distillers is uncommon in the shochu world. In fact, blending in general is not done by most distilleries. As the name implies, this shochu is colorful on the nose and palate.

CRIO JAPAN Crio “Frozen Moon” Sweet Potato Shochu 50PF / 750ML

Crio “Frozen Moon” is made completely with sweet potatoes harvested from Yachiyoden’s own fields. Crio is made with sweet potatoes that have been frozen to create a much sweeter expression than normally found in sweet potato shochu.

Intensely artisanal spirits made by master craftsmen

FURUSAWA DISTILLERY JAPAN, ODOTSU VILLAGE, NICHINAN CITY, MIYAZAKI PREFECTURE Situated on a spit of land pinched between the Pacific Ocean and the mouth of the Hosoda River, the distillery and adjoining family home dates from the 1920s. With mud walls and centuries old ceramic fermentation vats, it has the feel of samurai era Japan. Mahoko Shochu Sweet Potato & Rice 70PF / 750ML Handcrafted from white koji and Kogane Sengan sweet potatoes. Fermented in ceramic pots, and single pot-distilled. Aged in ceramic, then enamel-lined tanks. Masako Shochu Barley 70PF / 750ML Handcrafted from white koji and 2-row barley. Fermented in ceramic pots, and single pot-distilled. Aged in ceramic, then enamel-lined tanks. Motoko Shochu Rice 70PF / 750ML This 100% rice shochu was made by hand using white koji before being distilled just once in an atmospheric pot still which brings out richer aromas and allows for optimal aging. It was aged for more than 9 years, spending some time in ceramic pots and additional time in enamel tanks. The ceramic aging allows oxidation, which creates a rich, umami-laden drink that shines on the rocks or diluted with hot water.

reflect the true spirit of Japan.

100% barley Shochu aged a

minimum of 5 years before dilution and bottling with notes of rich, roasted coffee and dark chocolate.

MARYLAND SPIRITS PORTFOLIO

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