Name: 赤霧島 Akakirishima
Type: 芋焼酎 Potato shōchū
Potato: ムラサキマサリ Purple Sweet Potato
Ingredients: 甘藷(九州産)・米麹(国産米) Sweet Potato, Rice Koji
Alcohol: 25%
Distillery: 霧島酒造 Kirishima Shuzo
Address: 885-0093 Miyazaki, Miyakonojo, Shibitacho
Website: https://www.kirishima.co.jp/products/imo/aka-kirishima/
Additional Content: There is a short vintage (2011) introduction to Kirishima distillery, it's only in Japanese but still quite interesting.
About Akakirishima
Authentic sweet potato shochu made from purple sweet potato "Murasaki Masari". The abundant anthocyanin in Murasakiyu reacts with the citric acid produced by the shochu koji, which turns the moromi bright red, hence the name Akakirishima.
In the bottle: There is a hint of sweetness, but overall, the scent in the bottle is neutral with a pleasant potato shōchū aroma.
On the rocks: A classic potato shōchū that drinks very easy; the flavor is smooth with a slight sweetness that is both rich and light. From the first sip, Akakrishima never feels overpowering, and best enjoyed on the rocks with a nice range of dished at your local Izakaya.
水割り Diluted with water
4:1, 3:2 ratio, A decent amount of the core flavor remains front and center, however, this shōchū is just so smooth it really doesn't need to be diluted.
2:3 ratio, There is not much left at this ratio other than a mild sweetness on the finish, which is still quite pleasant.
Enjoy on the rocks
Reflections on this shōchū
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Even after all these years, Akakirishima is still a really enjoyable shōchū that is almost always easy to find.
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This is a great introduction bottle for people who have never tried shōchū, it is smooth and never overpowers the palate, making for a very accessible entry into the world of shōchū.
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Kirishima distillery produces a nice range of potato shōchū with different price points, reviews coming soon.
How I came across this bottle:
Akakirishima is usually available at many izakaya and drinking places, and one I have enjoyed more than a few times, so for posterity sake I picked up a bottle to put on this site. You can also pretty much find this at any chain shop that sells shōchū and for the price it makes for a low risk buy. Kirishima distillery makes a number of different potato shōchū types, and it's worth exploring their other offerings.
Bottle label and Information
Front Label
Akakirishima
Authentics Potato Shochu
Made with 100% Kyushu Sweet Potatos
Cap
Label Translation
Miyabi Nisurutto Akagiri Island
"Akagirishima" is an authentic potato shochu made from "Murasaki Masari", a purple sweet potato grown on the Shirasu plateau in Southern Kyushu, and "Kirishima Rekansui", the clear underground water of the Kirishima mountain range. It was named “Akagirishima” because of the bright red color of the moromi, which is created by the encounter between the anthocyanin of Murasaki and the citric acid produced by the koji. You can enjoy a noble scent and a smooth and clear taste.
Commitment to 100%
Potatoes: 100% sweet potatoes from Kyushu
Preparation Water: Kirishima split water 100%
Rice: 100% domestic rice
Brewing Distillery: 100% Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture brewing distillery
Ingredients: sweet potato (produced in Kyushu), rice koji (domestic rice)
●Alcohol content: 25%
●Contents: 900ml Producer: Kirishima Sake Brewery
Co., Ltd. 4-28 Shimokawahigashi, Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture