Beniotome Shuzo: A Legacy of Sesame Shochu
Founded in 1978 in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Beniotome Shuzo has been crafting exceptional shochu for over four decades. Nestled against the majestic Ear-Shaped Mountains, the brewery draws from pristine spring water that is essential for producing fine sake.
In the 1970s, when Western spirits were gaining popularity, founder Haruno Hayashida set out to create a Japanese spirit that could rival the allure of foreign liquors. His innovative approach led him to sesame, a unique ingredient that resulted in a shochu with an exquisite aroma. Born in Tajumarumachi, this exceptional spirit has captivated palates both in Japan and around the world.
The Shochu-Making Process
The creation of Beniotome shochu involves a meticulous process. It begins with soaking, steaming, and cooling grains such as rice or barley. The key is to achieve a perfectly steamed grain, neither too soft nor too hard, allowing koji mold to penetrate the surface and produce high-quality koji. This koji is then mixed with steamed grains and allowed to ferment for approximately 45 hours. The next step involves a three-stage brewing process, with sesame being added in the final stage. Distillation follows, using both atmospheric and vacuum distillation to extract flavor and alcohol. Finally, the raw spirits are aged in a cellar adorned with stained glass windows, where they acquire the complex flavors of the barrel, resulting in a smooth and mellow shochu.
The Beniotome Barrel Series
Hayashida often quoted, "Good wine and old friends are the best." Inspired by this sentiment, he embarked on a journey to create even higher-quality shochu through extended barrel aging. Barrel aging remains a crucial part of Beniotome Shuzo's shochu-making process.
The Beniotome Barrel series was born out of a desire to share the exceptional quality of long-aged shochu. These spirits are crafted by blending French oak-aged base spirits with tank-aged barley shochu. The result is a complex flavor profile with notes of vanilla and apple compote. The elegant taste is particularly appealing to women and can be enjoyed with soda for a refreshing drink.
The series' flagship, "Beniotome Barrel FRENCH OAK Long-Term Aged," won gold at the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition 2023 (Shochu category) and platinum and a judge's award at the Kura Master 2023 (Barrel-Aged Spirits category) in France. These accolades have solidified the series' reputation and increased its global recognition.
Key characteristics of the Beniotome Barrel series:
- Blend: A harmonious blend of French oak-aged base spirits and tank-aged barley shochu.
- Aroma: Delicate notes of vanilla and apple compote.
- Aging: Matured in French oak barrels made from century-old trees.
- Pairing: Pairs exceptionally well with chocolate, especially with its rich vanilla notes.
