Iichiko Seirin Honkaku Barley Shochu (75cl, 20%)

Iichiko Seirin is a honkaku shochu from Oita Prefecture in Japan, made entirely from barley and single-distilled. It is bottled at a gentle 20% abv in a 75cl bottle. Honkaku means the spirit keeps the character of its base, and here that base is barley. The house style is a soft, clean aroma. On the nose and palate it shows soft toasted barley and light melon, with gentle sweetness and a clean, smooth finish. It can be served on the rocks, with hot or cold water, or in a chu-hai highball.