Mana. Our vision is simple.

To create a world-class range of kumara-based Shochu that delivers from the finest ingredients the best that New Zealand has to offer. One that makes discerning Shochu drinkers the world over proud to have bought or honoured to have been presented with a bottle of Mana Shuzou Shochu. We will fulfil our vision with creativity, passion and professionalism. We are proud to be New Zealanders. We are proud of our product. Mana Shochu is our way of sharing our wonderful country with the world. It is our gift to you. Our mana.

What is Shochu?

Shochu translates to "fiery liquor" in Japanese.
A distilled spirit, Shochu can be manufactured from a variety of ingredients including rice, buckwheat, barley, sweet potato (kumara) and even sugar. Single distilled Shochu (honkaku "the real thing" shochu) retains the aroma and flavour of its source ingredient ie sweet potato, barley etc. The alcohol content of Shochu varies, the usual being 25%alc/vol, and being as high as 42%alc/vol. It is a clear spirit  that can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, mixed with cold water, added to hot water, with tea, as a long drink with your favourite mixer or as a cocktail base. Aroma and flavour profiles of Shochu will vary dependent upon the raw base ingredient; sweet potato Shochu producing a product displaying stronger, earthier and peatier characterists, and rice Shochu's producing a lighter product.  This is not dissimilar to the regional variations of soils and barleys in Scotland that establish the characteristics of its whiskeys.

 

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