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January 3, 2022
A new limited-edition rum from ONERUM, Okinawa's rum-making project team, highlighting the unique character of Yonaguni Island's kokuto (unrefined brown sugar) | EAT
EAT | Mizuho Shuzo
A Special Edition of "Yonaguni Island Rum" Using Brown Sugar from Yonaguni Island Released Early
Mizuho Shuzo, a sake brewery in Okinawa, has re-engineered its awamori techniques to develop "YONAGUNI ISLAND RUM," made primarily from sugarcane grown only on Yonaguni Island, Okinawa. A total of 800 bottles will be released. The sales schedule includes an early release of a special edition featuring Kubamaki, a traditional craft from Yonaguni Island, starting Wednesday, December 22, 2021, followed by the regular product release on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
A Sweet, Nutty Aroma Like Japanese Sweets, Enhanced with Fresh Nuances of Herbs
Throughout its more than 170-year history, Mizuho Shuzo has continued its brewing traditions, guided by the frontier spirit inherited from its predecessors, living in symbiosis with people, nature, and microorganisms.
In November 2020, the company formed "ONERUM," a project team dedicated to creating rum from Okinawa's traditional ingredient, sugarcane, in collaboration with local farmers, universities, and research institutions.
This project focuses on kokuto (unrefined brown sugar) produced on eight Okinawan islands, each with its own distinct climate and production methods. The series is divided into three categories: Single Island Series, Blended Islands Series, and One Island Series.
The second release from the "ONERUM" project is "YONAGUNI ISLAND RUM," part of the Single Island Series, which accentuates the unique character of kokuto from Yonaguni Island.
Yonaguni Island, located approximately 500 km southwest of the main island of Okinawa, is the westernmost island of Japan, from which the mountains of Taiwan can be seen on clear days. "YONAGUNI ISLAND RUM," born from the kokuto of this island, is characterized by its delicate, sweet, and nutty flavor reminiscent of kinako mochi (roasted soybean flour rice cake) and yokan (sweet bean jelly), with subtle fresh notes of herbs and citrus. The evolving aroma as time passes after pouring is also a charm of this rum.
It is delicious served straight or simply with soda, and pairs exceptionally well with small cubes of yokan. While possessing the distinct character derived from kokuto, this rum is also versatile enough for use in cocktails.
The "YONAGUNI ISLAND RUM" features an illustration of Yonaguni horses freely roaming the pastures. We invite you to freely enjoy the aromas and flavors that originate from Yonaguni Island.
YONAGUNI ISLAND RUM
- Alcohol Content | 40%
- Volume | 500ml
- Ingredients | Kokuto (Unrefined Brown Sugar)
- Yeast | Sakura yeast isolated from cherry blossoms in Motobu Town, Okinawa Prefecture
- Production Volume | 800 bottles total (100 Kubamaki, 700 regular)
- Release Date | <Kubamaki> Wednesday, December 22, 2021
- <Regular> Thursday, January 20, 2022
- Price | ¥3,520 (tax included)
