Nishi Shuzo “Grand Cru” 2020 Honkaku Shochu

Volume: 720ml / ABV: 30%

The Nishi Shuzo “Grand Cru” 2020 is a premium Japanese Honkaku Shochu produced by Nishi Shuzo Co., Ltd. in Kagoshima, Japan, a region renowned for its tradition of sweet-potato shochu production.

Presented in an elegant black bottle with gold detailing and a premium presentation box, the 2020 Grand Cru has an alcohol strength of 30% ABV, slightly higher than many standard shochu expressions. It is positioned as a sophisticated, premium expression suitable for collectors, gifting and special occasions.

Rather than treating sweet potato simply as an ingredient, Nishi Shuzo applies a philosophy more commonly associated with fine wine: the quality of the land matters.

Only carefully selected Kogane Sengan sweet potatoes grown in the distillery’s prized Grand Cru fields—chosen for their exceptional soil quality and sunlight exposure—are used, together with Yamada Nishiki rice cultivated for the koji. The spirit is then carefully fermented at low temperature and traditionally distilled using a single pot still under atmospheric pressure.

Tasting Note

Nose
Elegant and highly aromatic. Ripe banana and mango lead the bouquet, followed by melon-like sweetness and delicate tropical-fruit nuances. Nishi Shuzo itself specifically describes aromas reminiscent of ripe banana and mango.

Palate
Rich yet beautifully controlled. The natural sweetness and umami character of Kogane Sengan develops into layers of ripe tropical fruit, gentle sweetness and a smooth, rounded texture.

Finish
Long, clean and elegant, with lingering sweet-potato richness, ripe fruit and a gentle warmth from its 30% ABV strength. Japanese specialist retailers similarly describe this bottling as having melon- and banana-like aromas, pronounced sweet-potato sweetness and a rich, persistent finish.

Recommended serving: Neat or over a single large ice cube to fully appreciate its aromatic character and texture.