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Haamonii Shochu from ALFORDE M. JOAQUIN on Vimeo.

Thank you Alf, Monse and Kevin of Eener Entertainment! We’re honored to have such a highly recognized and professional team capture feedback from our customers and a glimpse of what Haamonii Shochu is today! We look forward to the opportunity to be a part of your online entertainment series again in the future.

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“…Haamonii Smooth and Haamonii Smooth lemon. These were the favorites among two Food and Wine staff tasters who found both to be light and smooth, with a hint of sweetness.”

As you can imagine, we were very excited about the article that was printed in the San Francisco Chronicle last Friday, 10/17. Of course, we were happy to see that Haamonii was the favorite among two Food and Wine staff tasters but more importantly, however, was the fact that Cindy Lee was able to capture so well the current and continued popularity associated with the global joy of shochu. The most exciting thing about the article is the fact that we hope it will increase awareness of shochu in general. There are shochu and sojus for each and every taste and not all are for everyone. The simple idea is that you should try it regardless of brand… and don’t forget to “pour for others and not self” (an ancient Asian tradition carried on to guarantee you’ll never drink alone).

Here are a few key notes from the article:

• In Japan,… the consumption of shochu, a distilled beverage made from a variety of starches and grains, has exceeded that of sake.

• Around this time, in 1998, a Japanese medical researcher published a paper claiming that shochu activated enzymes that inhibited the growth of blood clots and prevented strokes and heart attacks.

• Here in the Bay Area, Takahashi reported an increase in demand for shochu within the past five years, especially in Japanese markets, pubs known as izakayas and other Asian restaurants.

• “It goes well with all types of food,”

• This trend is echoed in other parts of the world (E.g. London, Australia, New York)

• It is a clear spirit that can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks with a squeeze of lemon, mixed with hot or cold water, with tea, or in a mixed drink.

• Because of its similarities in composition, appearance and usage, shochu is sometimes marketed in the United States as Japanese vodka. This can be misleading because shochu generally has a much lower alcohol content than vodka.

• The result [shochu] is a spirit that Lim says is “smoother than vodka and more versatile.

• There are two classifications of shochu: koshu (grade A) and otsushu (grade B). Like vodka and Korean soju (see “A guide to shochu,” this page), the koshu type is distilled multiple times, resulting in a odorless and flavorless beverage.

• In addition to its smoothness and versatility, shochu possesses another important virtue; it is low in calories. A 2-ounce serving of shochu contains about 35 calories. Compare that to about 120 calories for 2 ounces of vodka and 80 calories for 2 ounces of sake.

• Others recognize the appeal of shochu as a lighter base for mixed drinks. “It tastes like you are drinking a drink, but it is not as overpowering as say a gin and tonic, both in flavor and punch,” says Deutchman.

Thank you to all those that have supported Haamonii Smooth. We look forward to continuing our effort to share the world’s smoothest shochu with you.

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In fact, it is so popular that shochu has recently surpassed sake consumption in Japan for the first time in history!

Across Asia there is some form of the white spirit. In Korea, there is soju, in Japan there is shochu and in China there is bak jau or ‘white spirit’. Today, in the United States, the terms soju and shochu are beginning to be used interchangeably, but there are differences. Regardless of its origin, shochu is extremely popular around the world and becoming ever increasingly popular in the United States. Much of the popularity of shochu is due to the fact that it is less likely to give hangovers and less likely to make people too drunk.

In general, Kohrui or ko-type (multiple distilled) shochu can be around 25% alcohol or 50 proof. Vodka typically is 40% alcohol or 80 proof.

Hangovers occur due to the amount of alcohol consumed and also the impurities found within the spirit.

Because Haamonii Smooth ultra premium shochu is both lower in alcohol content (44 proof) than a typical ‘hard’ spirit (80 proof) and triple distilled (like ultra premium vodka) to remove the impurities hangovers are significantly reduced.

The result is an extremely harmonious drinking experience to be shared with others.

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• Honkaku shochu = single distilled (like whisky).
  
• Kohrui shochu = multiple distilled (like vodka).

Honkaku shochu carries a strong resemblance to the base ingredient that it was made from and it often stronger in taste and in alcohol.

Kourui shochu is a much more clean, pure shochu due to the fact that it is distilled multiple times removing the impurities and strong ethnic flavors.

Haamonii Smooth ultra premium shochu (soju) is Kourui since it is triple distilled.

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• Grain shochu = made from a variety of grains
• Imo shochu = sweet potatoes
• Mugi shochu = barley

Imo and mugi are both excellent shochus but can sometimes carry a strong ethnic flavor and alcoholic kick that may not be preferred by everyone. It’s an acquired taste if you’re not used to it. Haamonii Smooth is grain shochu and made from a variety of premium grains. We chose grain because it produced the purest, smoothest form of alcohol and created a modern shochu that could be universally enjoyed and shared by anyone in the world.

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The answer today is that the lines are becoming blurred. Today, you can consider the two words to be interchangeable.

Before, one could simply say that if it was spelled ’soju’ it is from Korea and if it was spelled ’shochu’ it was from Japan.

Based upon laws in several states including California and New York imported ’soju’ can be sold in beer and wine licensed venues. Because of this, we now see Japanese ’shochu’ companies re-spelling their shochu products with the word ’soju’ so that they can also take advantage of this opportunity.

The main difference, however, between soju and shochu is in the taste. This is something you can not interchange. Based upon the quality of ingredients and the method of production, one may be smoother than another.

Haamonii Smooth is ultra premium shochu (or soju).

In the end, regardless of whether you call is shochu or soju the most important thing is that you enjoy it.

Have a taste test between any soju or shochu in the world and Haamonii Smooth and let us know which you think is the smoothest and feel free to put your comments below.

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