Kumaken Shochu

The Kumaken Shochu from Tsunematsu Shuzo is a Kome Shochu (rice shochu) from Kumamoto Prefecture. It is a genuine Kuma Shochu. This is a WTO-protected geographical region like Bordeaux in France or Chianti in Italy. Only rice shochu produced in the Kuma River Valley may be called "Kuma Shochu". Kumaken is fermented at a low temperature and twice as much koji is used as is normally used in shochu production. This makes its taste particularly intense. It is made with yellow koji, which gives it a lovely fruitiness. A pleasant sweetness is combined with a deep rice aroma. This shochu will also win over sake fans!

Description

The Kumaken Shochu is produced by Tsunematsu Shuzo in Tsuruba, Kumamoto Prefecture. Made with yellow koji, which is usually only used for sake production, this shochu has particularly intense fruit notes. The mouthfeel is exceedingly soft. This is partly due to the fact that this shochu is bottled without filtration. As a result, it has higher fatty acids, which give it a strong body as well as a special mildness. In addition, twice as much koji is used as is normally the case. The Kumaken has a wonderful aroma and has a natural sweetness of a pure rice shochu. The Kuma region is blessed with especially pure water due to the Kuma River. The extremely clean river water and fertile valley provide ideal conditions for the production of rice shochus. Only local rice from the prefecture is used. The Kumaken is regularly awarded prizes. For example, with the gold medal at the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition 2019 or at the Spring National Liquor Competition in the US Shochu Category.
By the way, the term "Kumaken" is ambiguous in Japan. This is because Kumaken is also a popular drinking game that originated in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Kumaken Shochu can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. Extended with soda or cold water, it is a fantastic accompaniment to food, such as fish, sushi, sashimi, seafood and white meat.

Japanese Shochu
Net quantity: 720 ml
Alk.: 25% vol
Dispensed only topersons of full age
Importer: Ginza Berlin GmbH, Pfalzburger Straße 20, 10719 Berlin

About Tsunematsu Shuzo Honten Co. Ltd

Tsunematsu Shuzo Honten Co. Ltd was founded in 1926 in Tsuruba, Kumamoto Prefecture. The land where the distillery is located is irrigated by the Kuma River, which flows through the old village of Hitoyoshi Kuma. It is a small craft operation with 15 employees, researching the properties of koji to develop new flavors.