Yokaichi Kome

Nose: Really nice melon/cantaloupe sweetness with a touch of minerality. Very inviting. Palate: The notes from the nose come through here with more of that melon sweetness. First sip was a bit of a shock but only because I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Easy to sip and no burn or abrasiveness. Finish: That mineral note is most prevalent here with a surprisingly lengthy finish overall. Overall, very nice drink. I've never had shochu before but very much enjoy sakes and think anyone that enjoys sake would like this, especially if you're looking for something with a bit more punch. I just drank this alone but this would work wonders paired with fish. Definitely will be buying this again.

The aroma is light, dominated by pear, melon, candy green apple, and rice, with a subtle minerality; it's slightly reminicent of a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The palette is light (unsurprising with the low proof), and represents a slight departure from nose. The same fruit notes present themselves, but take the backseat to freshly steamed rice with a slight brininess, undertoned by subtle lemon peels. In the finish, those peels take the forefront alongside the fresh rice, but fade away quickly to a very subtle, barely noticable sweet pear. Delicious neat, and I suspect would be lovely in the other traditional shochu drinking methods, though I haven't tried them. At this price (I paid $18 with a free membership), I highly recommend.