The interchangeable words of shochu and soju today
WRITTEN BY: Founder WRITTEN ON: May 16. 2008I often get asked what the difference between shochu and soju is.
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.
[...] 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 [...]