Amami Oshima Jougo Shōchū

Amami Oshima Brewery is located on the island of Amami Oshima between Kagoshima and Okinawa. Their Shōchū is 100% made on this island. They grow their own sugar cane and make muscovado sugar from it. They use the famous water "Jougo" which is considered the most delicious on Amami Oshima island. All shochu in this distillery must be aged for at least 2 years. The local sugar, good water and aging process provide a well-rounded, sweet tropical flavor. I like to use it for stirred tropical drinks, especially if you want to go with a Japanese theme anyway. It's great for adding a touch of exotic notes, if you don't overpower it with other ingredients like lots of citrus juice or characteristic other spirits in large quantities. So it can be used almost like an elegant, light Jamaican rum. It won the Gold Quality Award at Monde Selection 9 years in a row.

Nose:

Sugar cane, lime zest candied, guava, banana, rose petal water, and pickled pineapple, esther notes, cranberries, while of course being more delicate and velvety with the % than a rum with similar notes.

Taste:

Fresh sugar cane, lemongrass, guava, still slightly unripe pineapple, some ginger juice, cranberries, velvety smooth but not chaffy either.

Finish:

Subtle ester notes in the finish with cranberries, pineapple, guava, ginger, some camphor, fresh tart rice, some coconut water, here too it's mellow

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