Additional Content: There is a short introduction from JETRO Global Channel on Takata Shuzojyo distillery that gives a nice behind the scenes view of the process of making rice shōchū,it is in Japanese with English subtitles.

About Asagiri no hana

"Asagiri no Hana" is a Kuma shochu made with dianthus flower yeast that creates a slightly different flavor from the natural world . The flower language of dianthus is "always love, pure love". Like the flower language of Nadeshiko, it was named as Kuma Shochu that is widely loved. Kuma shochu has a rich aroma and is very popular among women and those who are new to Kuma shochu.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdPdQ9bEj44

In the bottle: The nose is floral but not overpowering, and matches perfectly with a smooth rice scent that is slightly sweet and warming. The end results is a shōchū that feels refined and produced with great effort and care.

Straight: Surprisingly smooth, but the is a little sharpness at the edges which prevents some of the more subtle notes from shining. There is a hint of alcohol at the end that is warming and pleasant. While I prefer it on the rocks, straight is certainly a nice way to enjoy Asagiri no hana.

On the rocks: This is where it really opens ups, the first taste that comes to mind is rum raisin, followed by a subtle chocolatey licorice (very subtle) which then gives way to the more floral and rice notes. This drinks so smooth and light, that you need to be a little careful not to over indulge.

水割り Diluted with water

4:1, 3:2 ratio, Asagiri no hana really holds up well here, while it loses some of the intensity; that beautiful combination of floral and rice stays up front making for a very enjoyable drink to sip.

2:3 ratio, Didn't get the chance to try at this ratio.

Enjoy straight or on the rocks

Reflections on this shōchū

A very accessible entry into the world of Kuma shōchū (球磨焼酎) that is soft, refined and very unique.
This bottle was so enjoyable on the rocks and perfect for sipping on a hot summer night.
Asagiri no hana has a mid-range price point, I think I paid around 2000 JPY, so, it's a bit more than a typical bottle but really worth it. (Monogatari has a 105 ml bottle)
I look forward to trying a few other bottles from Takata in the coming months.

How I came across this bottle:

I was searching for a new shop to buy shōchū while in Tokyo and came across Monogatari in the Hamamatsucho area and I have been back many times since. Aside from the very knowledgeable staff, they also have a lot of bottles you can try and after trying Asagiri no hana I was sold. I highly recommend visiting this shop if you are looking for some hard to find bottles or just looking for something different.

Bottle label and Information

Front Label

Cap Label

Back Label

Flower yeast is the world's first wild yeast collected from flowers through research by Professor Kubo Nakata of the Department of Brewing, Tokyo University of Agriculture.

Asagiri flower

Distilled under reduced pressure using dianthus yeast

In the language of flowers "Always love, pure love"

This region is geographically prone to fog, which is why the name of the town, Asagiri-machi, comes from. The clear and dignified morning mist gradually disappears as the sun rises, revealing pretty flowers. This "Asagiri no Hana" is a new type of authentic shochu that combines the deep flavor of Kuma shochu with a gorgeous aroma and lovely sweetness. Enjoy it on the rocks or with soda.