What is Honkaku Shochu? Choose by Base Ingredient
Honkaku shochu is single-distilled to bring out the character of its base ingredient. Sweet potato, barley, rice, brown sugar — each gives a distinct personality. At Nishizawa we carefully select honkaku shochu that reflects each distillery’s craft.
Flavor by ingredient
Sweet potato (imo)
Sweet, lush aroma and body. The fragrance blooms in a hot-water mix.
Barley (mugi)
Light and easy to drink, with little edge. Great on the rocks or with water.
Rice (kome)
Clean and refined with a gentle sweetness. Pairs well with Japanese food.
Brown sugar, soba & more
Distinctive ingredients too — we will guide you to your taste.
How do you best enjoy honkaku shochu?
- Hot-water mix (oyuwari): pour the hot water first, then the shochu — the aroma blooms (especially imo).
- Water / on the rocks: enjoy the lightness of barley or rice.
- Maewari (pre-mixed): mix with water the day before and rest it for a rounder taste.
Our honkaku shochu
Satsuma Azuma Imo Shochu
Kagoshima · Nangoku Brewery (sample)
Sweet & fragrant — hot-water mix
A sweet aroma that blooms in a hot-water mix, with deep, rounded flavor.
900ml／1,540円
Mugi no Sai Mugi Shochu
Oita · Bungo Brewery (sample)
Light & easy — on the rocks
Mild and easy to drink. Refreshing on the rocks or with water.
900ml／1,430円
Find the honkaku shochu that suits you.
We will help you choose by ingredient, strength and how you like to drink it.