THE SG SHOCHU
Founded by the bar industry powerhouse SG Group led by Shingo Gokan, The SG Shochu can be understood as the most expressive cocktail spirit available on the market today. Designed and produced in collaboration with three of Japan’s leading shochu producers, The SG Shochu comes in three SKUs: KOME, IMO, and MUGI, each representing rice, sweet potato, and barley as base ingredients, respectively.
Shochu is a single-distilled Japanese spirit with a tradition of over 500 years, produced extensively in the southern island of Kyushu and enjoyed throughout the country. The saccharification process takes place in the presence of koji, an indispensable ingredient in Japanese fermented foods and beverages, imparting a distinctive character.
The SG Shochu belongs to an authentic variety of artisanal shochu known in Japanese as honkaku shochu, a spirit category which does not permit any additives to the distillate besides water. This key feature, combined with single-distillation, allows for the flavor of each base ingredient to shine through, creating an incredibly flavorful spirit.
Fine-tuned to the needs of classic and craft cocktails alike by Shingo Gokan’s team, The SG Shochu boasts unparalleled versatility to complement its expressive potential.
PRODUCTS
THE SG SHOCHU KOME 40% ABV
In the world of sake, floral and fruity esters are born from a style of fermentation known as ginjo. Certain yeasts are used in conjunction with a long, low-temperature fermentation to develop delicate floral and sweet aromas. The resulting spirit is characterized by notes of apple and pineapple, bringing out a tantalizing gentle profile.
tasting notes
NOSE: Apple, Pineapple, Lemon Peel
PALATE: Light Bodied
FINISH: Crisp, Smooth Finish
KOME plays incredibly well with virtually any fruit. Citrus oils in particular add a defining clarity to KOME cocktails, while flavors of fresh herbs, root vegetables, and leafy greens also meld seamlessly. In cocktail pairings, KOME works beautifully with cold dishes, elevating their freshness and leaning into the flavors to follow
AWARDS
2021 DOUBLE GOLD San Francisco World Spirits Competition
BOTTLE SIZE
750ml
MADE FROM
RICE
saccharification
WHITE KOJI
DISTILLATION
REDUCED PRESSURE
THE SG SHOCHU IMO 38% ABV
IMO consists of a blend between two distinctive sweet potatoes, Koganesengan and Eimurasaki. Koganesengan is the most trusted variety used in sweet potato shochu, offering a robust structural framework to the spirit, while the Eimurasaki - a rare, purple sweet potato - is responsible for IMO's unmistakably seductive aromatic profile. Such sensuous interplay between two sweet potato varieties is integral to The SG Shochu IMO.
tasting notes
NOSE: White Flower, Orange Peel, Nectar, Maple
PALATE: Full Bodied
FINISH: Long, Gentle Finish
IMO's tropical inclination owes to the geography and climate of Kagoshima--the home of shochu in Japan's great southern prefecture. This gives IMO a sensibility akin to spirits produced in similar latitudes, such as rum, tequila, pisco, and cachaça, playing incredibly well with tropical fruits and spices. IMO's versatility extends to the temperature at which it can be enjoyed. It can be used as a base in an icy cold riff on a daiquiri or find its way into a hot toddy with a touch of maple syrup and lemon juice. The SG Shochu IMO also possesses uncanny potential when paired with desserts.
AWARDS
2021 DOUBLE GOLD San Francisco World Spirits Competition
BOTTLE SIZE
750ml
MADE FROM
PURPLE SWEET POTATO
saccharification
BLACK KOJI
DISTILLATION
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
THE SG SHOCHU MUGI 40% ABV
MUGI consists of five types of barley shochu, with a unique combination of ageing method, distillation pressure, and koji ratio. Starting with a clear vision of a perfect blend, the process works backwards to construct the necessary component spirits to achieve the desired balance. By creating genshu (undiluted shochu) aged in oak barrels, sherry butts, and stainless steel, each distilled at different pressures, it becomes possible to construct exacting flavor profiles. While experimenting with whisky-style cocktails can be a good start, MUGI offers a level of versatility rarely associated with barrel-aged spirits. The fruity notes invite interpretations of brandy-based cocktails, while the overall lightness lends itself to be used in place of unaged spirits. MUGI's vanilla and cacao notes lend themselves to play well with cream, spices, tea, and coffee, whether it's used as a base spirit or simply as an accent. A wide range of temperatures brings out distinct expressions from the myriad of flavor elements at play.
tasting notes
NOSE: Cacao, Vanilla, Oak
PALATE: Medium Bodied
FINISH: Long, Subtle Finish
AWARDS
2021 GOLD San Francisco World Spirits Competition
BOTTLE SIZE
750ml
MADE FROM
BARLEY
saccharification
WHITE KOJI
DISTILLATION
ATMOSPHERIC & REDUCED PRESSURE
AGED IN
AMERICAN WHITE OAK BARRELS & SHERRY BUTTS