Saiva Rice (Kome) Japanese Shochu (1.8L, 25%)

Saiva Rice (Kome) is a Japanese shochu from Fukano Shuzo in Kumamoto, vacuum distilled with rice white koji. Sake yeast and white koji are used for fermentation at low temperature to enhance aroma. It has a sharp, elegant taste with a gentle gin jo aroma, and lacks distinct quirks thanks to vacuum distillation. Stone fruit, peach, salt and umami come through, shifting to tropical fruit such as banana, with a hint of chocolate bitterness at the finish. It is intended to match Japanese cuisine.