Description

Tasting Notes

Bouquet – beautifully aromatic, with a “sake-like” fruitiness entwined with hints of oak. You may detect ripe stone fruit and floral ethanol notes at first breath, quickly followed by deeper aromas of caramel and toasted nuts from the long barrel aging. Palate – incredibly smooth and round on the tongue, with a creamy mouthfeel that coats the palate. Flavors of oak, vanilla, and caramel are front and center, giving a bourbon-like impression, but gentler. These meld with the inherent sweet rice flavor, yielding a profile akin to toasted marshmallow or crème brûlée (dessert-like sweetness balanced by charred oak). There’s also a subtle almond or coconut nuance from the extended aging. The finish is long, warm, and satisfying: you’ll notice a lingering umami and sweet oak essence with virtually no bite, just a whisper of peppery spice at the very end. Overall, this 15-Year shochu is rich, mellow, and complex, meant to be contemplated as you would a fine Scotch – yet it retains a refined lightness that is uniquely shochu.

Food Pairings

Best enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or oyuwari (mixed with warm water) – methods that suit its aged sophistication. Pouring it over a single large ice cube is a fantastic way to open up the aromas slowly. In cooler weather, try it oyuwari to release a gentle warmth and aroma. Silent Dragon 15-Year shines alongside robust, umami-rich foods. It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats – a dram of this and a bite of Texas smoked brisket or a well-marbled steak is a match made in heaven, each enhancing the other’s smoky flavors. Likewise, hearty seafood dishes, like grilled eel or rich lobster mac ‘n’ cheese, find a companion in this shochu’s depth. Its caramel notes even play well with savory-sweet barbecue sauces. For a Japanese pairing, sip it with tare-glazed yakitori or aged gouda for a surprising East-meets-West harmony. And of course, this spirit is a perfect post-dinner digestif on its own – an opportunity to skip dessert and sip your dessert instead.