Daiyame (だいやめ)

Unique among shochus, Daiyame from Hamada Syuzo in Kagoshima has an incredible lychee fragrance which lingers through the palate, without a hint of the richness of typical imo. Vacuum distilled using Hamada’s koujuku-imo (a type of sweet-potato aging process), it’s a truly unique shochu perfect for new shochu drinkers or use in cocktails. It’s terrific on the rocks, and even better with soda (Hamada recommends 4:6 shochu to water). Currently available at Mizunara the Shop for HKD 199 for a 900ml bottle

JC May 21: When I first tried Daiyame at Nobushi shochu bar in TST, I was blown away – the lightness, the aromatic sweetness, how easy it is to drink… even though it’s the traditional 25% ABV. I still think for displaying shochu’s variety and range, or for introducing people to shochu, you can’t go wrong with Daiyame and soda. I have to add as well that it’s the only shochu I’ve found that women enjoy. That said, for those of us who like traditional styles of shochu, Daiyame is a bit light, and I have to say, somewhat uninteresting. It doesn’t have a ton of depth after you get past the lychee, and perhaps that’s the point. Nevertheless, I keep a bottle in my house at all times for visitors, and I’d probably recommend you do too. 8/10