Inoue Syuzo Aka Maoh Shochu

Inoue Shuzo was established in 1893 and is operating under the guidance of the 6th generation of the Inoue family. In 2001, they completed their “Shochu Dojo,” a small facility adjacent to their saké production house that focuses on crafting shochu using traditional methods.

Aka Maou (Red Devil) is a remarkably mellow and inviting Shochu crafted from Imo (sweet potato), white koji, and mineral waters that originate in the snow melt atop Mt. Hikosan.

White koji is the most mild of the three predominant koji strains. You may note mild, earthy flavors like white mushroom or tofu. The single distilled spirit is matured in an earthen pot for one year, giving it a sweet, mellow flavor profile. This soft and expressive Shochu is unbelievably easy to drink neat or, per tradition, with a drop of hot water.