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Ginka Torikai

“I can't drink shochu, but I can drink Torikai" or "I didn't know Torikai was from Kumamoto!” ‘Ginka Torikai' is popular among people in, and outside, of Kumamoto. It is a relatively new brand, starting production in 1994. The refreshing taste makes it hard to believe that it is shochu - because it tastes almost like Sake (a Japanese brewed alcohol drink). During the process of making Koji (malted rice), the rice is polished and then made into Ginjo Koji Moromi, the same way as for Japanese Sake production. The 'Ginka Torikai' yeast is also cultivated in-house, creating a unique flavor. Most shochu distilleries, including Kuma shochu, make several brands; however, Torikai Shuzo's makes one and only shochu 'Ginka Torikai'.  In order to pursue the original distillery method of shochu, Torikai Shuzo has developed its own unique equipment. President Kazunobu Torikai says, "we make over 1,000 test samples a year. ’Ginka Torikai' is the newest Kuma shochu distilled by a family distillery with a long history.