ABV for Soju?
For American labeling and taxation purposes, may not be more than 25% abv (otherwise it will be considered a spirit rather than a fermented beverage).
Alcohol fermentation for distilled-soju?
Describe Andong Soju:
Describe Awamori:
Describe Black Koji:
Bottling abv for distilled-soju?
Typically diluted to 45% abv.
What is Chi Aroma Baijiu?
What is Chuhai?
What is Da Qu?
What is Diluted-Soju?
What is Distilled-Soju?
What is Extra-strong Baijiu?
Fermentation pits for Strong Aroma qu verses Sauce Aroma qu?
Final bottling strength for Shōchū?
There is no legally specified minimum strength.
For most Shōchū, what is the purpose of maturation?
To allow time for reactions that develop aroma and texture to take place.
For Shōchū production, what is the purpose of the first mash?
What is Fu Qu?
Bran Qu
What is Hanatare?
Early Cut
What are Honkawu Shōchū and Awamori?
Two types of Shōchū made in a pot still.
How is Awamori Shōchū fermentation different?
There is no second mash.
All of the rice is turned into rice-koji and added to the fermenting vessel.
This creates enough protective acidity and still provides the same amount of alcohol at the end, just takes longer (2 weeks).
How is qu used?
When a batch of grains is being prepared for fermentation, qu is mixed with the grains, which in turn provides the mixture with all microorganisms needed for a parallel fermentation.
How is Shōchū traditionally served?
Mixed with water to about 15% abv.
Water can be ice cold, room temp, or warm/hot.
How long are most Shōchū allowed to age before bottling?
1 to 3 months
Awamori is aged for longer and is blended/bottled using a fractional blending system.
How long are sauce Aroma Distillates aged?
The distillates collected at the end of each phase are matured separately in ceramic for at least three years.