Brand: Kozuru Kuro
Distillery: Komasa Shuzo, Co. Ltd.
Location: Kaogshima Prefecture, Kyushu Island, Japan
Grain: sweet potato (imo)
Koji: black (kuro)
Distillation: atmospheric (joatsu)
Alcohol: 24% (48 proof)
Price: $
Tasting Notes
Hard to explain why I haven’t reviewed Kozuru Kuro sooner. Perhaps in some way I wanted to keep it secret. It’s an affordable, luscious black koji imo shochu from Kagoshima. It’s the basic product from Komasa Shuzo, which I visited this summer. They also offer a clay pot aged imo shochu in the U.S. known as Kura No Shikon, which is actually made in a different facility and with a different distillation process than Kozuru.
This represents their basic introductory sweet potato shochu and comes in white, yellow, and black koji varieties, but only the black koji version is sold in the U.S.
So what’s it like? Thanks to the black koji, it has the distinct earthy nose we expect, but this is unexpectedly accompanied by a maple syrup aroma. It’s forwardly sweet, almost molasses like with a round, rich mouthfeel. An unexpected roasted caramel finish completes the package.
The Verdict: Highly Recommended
Unlike other black koji imo shochus, which can be dirty and dry, Kozuru is a rich sweet, delicious shochu that might be best served straight. Adding water mellows everything out considerably, but the sweetness pervades, though the finish is almost too faint to enjoy. Don’t bother drinking this one on the rocks. The ice masks everything that’s luscious about this shochu. It took me a while to figure this out. I remember absolutely loving it the first time I tried it, but then being less impressed when drinking it “rocks” at an izakaya. Skip the ice.
Kampai!
Comradde PhysioProffe
Very interesting! I haven’t seen this one at my local liquor store, but I will definitely ask them to get some.
Stephen
It’d definitely a favorite of mine. I was recently asked to choose the monthly shochu special at a NYC izakaya and this is what I had them pour for the 1st month.
Toby
I live here in Japan, I’m an IMO fan now. This is best far
one of the best I have tasted for the moment!!
Stephen
Yes, this is a great daily shochu. It’s mass produced, but done so with quite a bit of attention to both flavor and aroma. Have you tried it “oyuwari” (with hot water)? It’s pretty great that way.
Toby
Not yet, been using Green Tea, but will try tonight!!
Toby
Outstanding!!! with hot water, brings out the sweetness
more, just finished the 1800ml bottle, will have another
one tomorrow.
Alex
Any recommendation of stores in NYC that carry this brand? Thanks!
Stephen
Landmark Wines on 23rd Street and 7th Avenue in NYC.