Jōchū is a new Japanese distilled spirit crafted from sake produced by master artisans, utilising unique distillation techniques. It preserves the essence of sake while achieving a more crystalline flavour and depth of aroma.
Through the distillation process, it extracts only the “core” of umami created by rice and water, stripping away unwanted impurities to produce a remarkably pure and refined taste. True to its name, “Jōchū” (purified sake)represents a completely new Japanese spirit, existing on the continuum of tradition.
Upon tasting, the soft, rice-derived aroma of sake gently rises, gradually giving way to the sweetness and umami of grains. Its characteristic feature is a long, lingering finish with a pleasant transparency. With an alcohol content similar to standard shochu or whisky, it can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, with water, mixed with soda, or as a cocktail base.
Furthermore, the clean flavour profile born of distillation makes it exceptionally well-suited to pairing with food. It beautifully complements the delicate flavours of Japanese cuisine, naturally, but also harmonises with diverse culinary traditions, including French and Italian dishes, as well as spicy cuisine and desserts.
Jōshū is a new spirit that inherits the “respect for nature” and “Japanese essence” inherent in ancient sake brewing, reinterpreted through a contemporary sensibility.