iichiko, Japan’s Leading Shochu Brand, Unveils Their Newest Expression: iichiko Shinwa

iichiko Shochu, Japan’s leading shochu brand, has announced the launch of its latest release iichiko Shinwa, which has been available at select US bars since last month. The name Shinwa (meaning ‘harmonious heart’ in Japanese) symbolizes the beauty of koji, the essence of Japanese culinary culture.

Headquartered in the Oita Prefecture on Japan’s Kyushu Island, iichiko has set the gold standard for shochu since its debut in 1979. Using a blend of proprietary barley koji, yeast, pristine spring water, and two-row pearled barley, as well as low-pressure and atmospheric distillation techniques, the company has produced a range of award-winning expressions, including iichiko Saiten (43% ABV), the first high-proof, mixology-friendly shochu, as well as the brand’s original expression, iichiko Silhouette (25% ABV).

Vacuum-distilled from 100% two-row pearl barley and barley koji, iichiko Shinwa offers a refined and elegant profile. The nose opens with delicate aromas of bright pineapple, white peach, coconut, vanilla, green melon, white pepper, and honeysuckle. On the palate, hints of malted barley and honey unfold with a creamy texture, leading into notes of melon rind, chocolate, and vanilla. The medium-to-long finish is full-bodied and balanced, carrying the spirit’s complexity through to the last sip. With a high alcohol content of 43%, it holds its own among other ingredients, allowing its nuanced character to shine through even in cocktails. When mixed with soda, the expression offers a refreshing mouthfeel and a lingering, fermentation-driven aftertaste.

“We are thrilled to introduce our latest expression to the American market,” says Kensuke Oka, General Manager of iichiko Shochu. “This unique expression of shochu was specifically designed with bartenders in mind, meant predominantly for cocktail use. Featuring a higher alcohol content and a complex, layered flavor profile, Shinwa embodies iichiko’s defining qualities - approachability and the deep, nuanced character of koji - crafted for mixologists. We believe iichiko Shinwa will shine across a wide range of cocktails and play an important role in the bar scene.”

Classified as a ‘Honkaku Shochu’, or a premium class of the spirit, iichiko Shochu is one of Japan’s largest shochu brands, and is currently one of the most widely distributed Japanese shochus in the American market. To further the presence of shochu in the US, this release positions the brand as a leader in the category. iichiko Shinwa can be enjoyed in a wide variety of ways, including chu-hais (shochu highballs), straight on the rocks, or as a base for an array of creative cocktails. 

In addition to this new release, iichiko Shochu has debuted a redesigned bottle of iichiko Saiten - a brand favorite originally launched in 2019.

About iichiko Shochu 

iichiko Shochu is the native spirit of Japan – a white spirit that’s incredibly rich in flavor, yet smooth and easy to drink with food. iichiko, pronounced EACH-ko, derives from a dialect spoken in the Oita Prefecture of Japan and translates to "it’s great." iichiko is a true expression of a pristine natural environment. iichiko is crafted in Oita Prefecture on Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost island – a region famous for its clean air, lush greenery, dense cedar forests, mountainous terrain, and geothermal springs. The brand’s portfolio includes iichiko Saiten, iichiko Silhouette, iichiko Special, iichiko Seirin and iichiko Shinwa.