Iki Island: The Birthplace of Barley Shochu

🥃 A Legacy Over 500 Years in the Making 🏺

For centuries, Iki Island has been at the heart of Japanese shochu culture, pioneering the world’s first barley-based shochu.

💡 How Did It Begin?
🔸 In the 16th century, distillation techniques arrived from the Asian continent.
🔸 By the 17th century, heavy taxation under the Hirado Domain forced islanders to switch from rice to barley as their staple food.
🔸 Their ingenuity led them to distill barley into shochu while keeping the traditional rice koji fermentation method—creating Iki Shochu’s signature smooth, aromatic flavor.

📜 A Proud Tradition – Unlike other Japanese spirits, Iki Shochu still uses rice koji, preserving a centuries-old technique that showcases the deep pride and craftsmanship of Iki’s people.

Iki Shochu: A World-Class Spirit 🌎🏆

🚀 Recognized by the World – In 1995, Iki Shochu earned the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI Iki) status under the WTO’s TRIPS Agreement, placing it among the world’s most iconic spirits:

✅ Scotch Whisky – Scotland 🏴
✅ Bourbon Whiskey – United States 🇺🇸
✅ Cognac Brandy – France 🇫🇷
✅ Bordeaux & Champagne Wines – France 🍷
✅ Iki Shochu – Japan 🇯🇵

🌟 Just like Champagne must be made in Champagne, Iki Shochu can only be crafted on Iki Island!

Even if the same ingredients and methods are used elsewhere, only shochu made in Iki can bear the name "Iki Shochu."

What Makes Iki Shochu Special?

💎 100% Barley Base – A smooth, rich barley aroma with a refined taste.
🍚 Rice Koji Fermentation – Sweet, deep flavors unique to Iki Shochu.
💧 Pristine Iki Water – Drawn only from pure Iki Island sources for unmatched purity.
🔥 Traditional Single-Pot Distillation – Preserving the deep, complex flavors of Iki’s legendary shochu.

Iki no Shima Densho: The Ultimate Iki Shochu Experience

✨ Time-Honored Perfection in Every Sip ✨

If you want to experience the true essence of Iki Shochu, Ikinokura Distillery's Ikinoshima Densho is the ultimate expression of this historic craft.

🥂 A Symphony of Flavors
✔ The umami and sweetness of rice 🍚
✔ The deep, aromatic richness of barley 🌾
✔ A smooth, elegant finish that lingers on the palate ✨

🍶 How to Enjoy It?
🍸 Neat – Savor the full-bodied depth of the spirit.
🧊 On the Rocks – A refreshing, smooth experience.
🥤 With Water (Mizuwari or Oyuwari) – Unlock new layers of flavor.
🍹 Cocktails – Mix with soda, citrus, or herbal infusions for a modern twist.