MIZU 'SAKURA CASK' SHOCHU 本格麦焼酎『サクラカスク』

For a thousand years, the sakura or ‘cherry blossom’ has stood as the national symbol of Japan – a cultural centerpiece of poetry, philosophy, artistry, and even revelry. Inspired by these iconic blooms and our centuries-old tradition of celebrating merrily beneath the cherry trees, we introduce our first barrel-finished expression, aged exclusively in native yamazakura ‘wild mountain cherry’ casks.

Handcrafted in the traditional way, Mizu ‘Sakura Cask’ Shochu is singled distilled from locally farmed Saga barley and black koji rice, then finished for at least 9 months in medium-char, yamazakura casks produced by famed cooperage, Ariake Sangyo. The resulting kiss of the sakura is a pale-golden color, presenting a harmony of spring blossoms, orchard fruits, and a touch of smoke.

TASTING NOTES: Deep, fragrant, mellow and delicious. Bright floral aromas of spring blossoms open up into vanilla, banana, rain and fresh-sawn lumber. Velvety mouthfeel with notes of baked cherries, burnt sugar, a touch of smoke and gingersnap finish.

DRINKING SUGGESTIONS: To appreciate the complexity of ‘Sakura Cask’ we suggest the traditional methods of shochu drinking; neat in a small snifter; mizuwari (with a splash of cold water); oyuwari (with hot water), first added to a ceramic cup, followed by the shochu in a 1:1 ratio; or sodawari (with soda water) in a highball glass over ice. It can also be enjoyed in classic stirred cocktails; you can try this barrel-finished shochu in a Sakura Old Fashioned.

SHIPPING TO USA ONLY. COMING SOON IN JAPAN | アメリカ限定品。日本にて近日販売 | FOR INQUIRIES EMAIL: INFO@MIZUSHOCHU.COM

METHODS OF MATURATION

There are a number of ways to mature Japanese shochu: the use of traditional kame ‘clay pots’ is an ancient method still used by some producers, while most distilleries today employ stainless steel vessels to rest their spirits after distillation. Both techniques allow the distillate to mellow without alteration or compromise of the original, natural shochu flavors and aromatics. Barrel-aged shochus are more of a rarity, and must follow strict regulations intended to maintain the integrity and purpose of a honkaku ‘authentic’ shochu – capturing the essence of the harvest, and the nuances of koji. The guidelines aim to ensure that the character of shochu is never overpowered by the flavors imparted by the wood, but since taste is subjective, the regulations stipulate on color, disallowing the shochu to become too dark. In order to maintain designation as a honkaku shochu, the spirit must not exceed 0.08 optic density – a precise measurement on the opacity of the liquid – thus true shochu maintains a pale gold or straw color. The lighter appearance also distinguishes shochu, Japan’s national spirit, from whisky. Mizu ‘Sakura Cask’ has been aged for 9 months until reaching maximum optic density of 0.08 and a pale golden hue.

SAKURA CASKS BY ARIAKE SANGYO

The iconic yamazakura (prunus jamazakura) is a native hardwood that grows wild through the mountains of Japan. In 2019, famed cooperage Ariake Sangyo Co., world-renowned for their artisan work with indigenous woods like mizunara 'Japanese oak' and sugi 'Japanese cedar' began very small production of 250-liter sakura casks. Crafted from mountain cherry over 40 years in age, the barrels have a medium char to provide light touches of sweetness and smokiness, while maintaining the raw flavors of the wood; cherry notes are prominent, as is vanilla, burnt sugar, and gingersnap.

Ariake Sangyo Co. was founded in 1963 and is the only independent barrel producer in Japan. Originally producing wooden crates for sake makers, the company opened it’s first cooperage in 1984 located in Miyazaki, Kyushu, in the heart of “shochu island”.

SPIRIT OF KODAWARI

Mizu 'Sakura Cask' Shochu is the elevation of our signature, award winning 'Saga Barley’ distillate – 95pts, and Double Gold – rested for 9 months in the barrel. It represents the Japanese mantra of kodawari (こだわり) ‘the persistent pursuit of perfection’ and our motto of delivering unexpected creativity and innovation to our customers.

• We begin with a 400 year old recipe for mugi ‘barley’ shochu.

• Use 100% locally sourced ingredients from Saga prefecture.

• Select a rare and proprietary cultivar of two-rowed barley found only in Saga.

• Polish the barley to make a smoother shochu, and then press for deeper flavors.

• Use a traditional black koji for richer aromatics and more umami.

• Single distill in smaller batches.

• Finish in very rare sakura cask for a taste not found in any other shochu or spirit.

• Bottle at 70 proof like stronger shochu of old to enhance depth and complexity.

ORDER SAKURA CASK AND ADD 1 OR MORE BOTTLES OF ANY MIZU SHOCHU FOR $10 OFF wITH CODE: SAKURA21

SAKURA CASK IS HERE AND SHIPPING NOW | SHIPPING ONLY AVAILABLE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES FOR NOW, AND NOT AVAILABLE YET TO - AL, AK, IL, MI, MS, OK, SD, TN, UT, VT - DUE TO STATE LIQUOR LAWS.

SAKURA CASK

$54.99

Barrel-finished beauty: our 'Saga Barley' shochu finished in very rare yamazakura casks.

70 PROOF | ABV: 35.0%

SAGA BARLEY

$34.99

Classic barley shochu: single distilled from a mash of Saga barley and black koji rice.

70 PROOF | ABV: 35.0%

LEMONGRASS

$37.99

Delightfully refreshing: single distilled from white koji rice and fresh organic lemongrass.

70 PROOF | ABV: 35.0%

GREEN TEA

$40.99

Rich and decadent: single distilled from barley, black koji rice and sencha tea leaves.

70 PROOF | ABV: 35.0%