Shochu – the most popular, little known spirit in the world
WRITTEN BY: Founder WRITTEN ON: May 20. 2008It’s little known, but shochu (soju) is one of the most popular distilled spirits in the world.
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.


Aloha! Are you using koji in the production of your shochu?