Sasanokawa Junmai Ginjo Kasutori Shochu 笹之川 純米吟釀 粕取 燒酎 (1x72cl)

Not sake, and not whisky. Kasutori shochu is distilled from sake lees — the solids left behind after sake is pressed. Here those lees came from junmai ginjo sake, which is why that grade appears in the name: the by-product of sake making, turned into a distilled drink.

Because of where it starts, it usually carries a rice-y, faintly sake-like aroma that ordinary shochu does not. Interesting bottle to put in front of a friend who drinks sake and has not tried this side of it.

Tasting notes

Kasutori shochu usually has a clean body with a soft rice aroma and a faint ginjo-like fragrance behind it. Serve it on the rocks, or with cold or hot water.