Asahi Mannen '10,000 Years' Sweet Potato Shochu

Distillery: Watanabe Shuzo • Prefecture: Miyazaki • ABV: 25% • Mash Bill: 83% Kogane Sengan sweet potatoes, 17% Black Koji rice • Yeast: Native yeast, spontaneous fermentation • Still: Hybrid • Distillation: Jo-atsu (atmospheric) • Aging: 3-6 months in ceramic lined steel horo tanks

• All sweet potatoes are carefully cultivated by the Watanabe brothers on their family farm and see only a quick cleaning after harvest to leave as much flavor of the soil as possible.
• Fermented and distilled by hand using traditional equipment
• Deep flavors of roasted sweet potato, lavender and walnuts, appealing finish of nutmeg.
• On the rocks concentrates the finish, mixing with soda will lift floral aromatics, mixing with hot water will broaden sweetness and mouthfeel.

A testament to the possibilities of craftsmanship and personality in shochu production. Made from 83% Kogane Sengan sweet potatoes the Watanabe brothers cultivate themselves, 17% black koji rice that brings out rich and full aromas, and fermented and distilled using traditional equipment.