Awamori Zuisen Kusu - 72cl

Awamori Zuisen Kusu is an awamori of the highest quality, a testament to the skill and long tradition of the Zuisen Shuzo distillery, one of Okinawa's leading distillers. The distillery was founded back in 1887 by Kouei Kyan, the third son of a renowned awamori producer from the castle town of Sakiyama. For the name, Mr Kyan took inspiration from the stone fountain located at the second gate of Shuri Castle, named 'Zuisen', on which verses were engraved that inspired the producer. This awamori belongs to the 'Kusu' category, the most prized, which requires an ageing of more than 3 years to soften the sensory characteristics of the distillate.

Zuisen Shuzo Awamori Kusu is made from long rice of the Indica variety. The grains have their cuticle removed before the washing process, followed by steaming. This is followed by theinoculation of the black Koji fungus, a species discovered on the island of Okinawa, which will begin to break down the complex sugars contained in the rice into simple sugars that can be metabolised by the yeasts during alcoholic fermentation, a process that takes place in parallel with the Koji activity. The fermented product is then distilled in traditional stills and subsequently diluted to approximately 25% alcohol by volume. This is followed by the final stage of maturation in traditional earthenware jars known as 'kame', containers in which the awamori matures for at least three years.

Zuisen Shuzo's Awamori Kusu has a transparent, sometimes milky appearance. On the nose, intense aromas of ripe fruit combine with balsamic hints and sweet notes of spices such as vanilla. In the mouth, it is striking for the soft and velvety sensation that accompanies the sip, with a finish of excellent persistence and energy.