{"title":"Ikehara Syuzo","description":"\u003ch3\u003eIKEHARA SHUZO — AWAMORI FROM ISHIGAKI ISLAND, OKINAWA\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFounded in 1951 on Ishigaki Island, Ikehara Shuzo is a small family-run distillery dedicated to awamori, Okinawa's traditional distilled spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur approach is intentionally simple and traditional: black koji fermentation, a single mash, and direct-fire distillation. We do not try to remove every rough edge or turn awamori into a neutral spirit. Instead, we value the aroma, depth and individuality that come from the ingredients, the fermentation and the distillation itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flagship label, Shirayuri, is especially known for its unmistakable earthy, savoury and powerful aroma. To us, this is not a “flaw” to be polished away, but part of the personality of the spirit — a flavour that reflects the climate, culture and drinking traditions of the Yaeyama Islands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIkehara Shuzo remains a small producer, and that scale allows us to keep a close relationship with every batch. Fermentation takes time, distillation is handled carefully, and the finished spirit is shaped by generations of experience rather than by mass-production efficiency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlongside classic Shirayuri, we continue to explore new ways of expressing awamori. Shirayuri Inui 44% presents our house character in a concentrated, high-proof form, while MARIYA offers a lighter 15% expression designed to be enjoyed chilled. We also create limited and experimental releases that connect the history of the distillery with contemporary food, cocktail and hospitality culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor drinkers in London discovering awamori for the first time, we hope our bottles offer something genuinely different: a spirit with a clear sense of place, a strong personality and a story that begins on a small island in southern Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIkehara Shuzo\u003cbr\u003eIshigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\u003cbr\u003eEstablished 1951\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1094\/8454\/0242\/files\/pic2.png?v=1790218280\" style=\"aspect-ratio: auto !important;\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1094\/8454\/0242\/files\/pic4.png?v=1790218292\" style=\"aspect-ratio: auto !important;\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"shirayuri-inui-44-720ml","title":"Shirayuri Inui 44% 720ml","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA powerful, high-proof expression of Shirayuri at 44% ABV. Concentrated aromas, savoury depth and a long finish showcase the character of black koji awamori in its most vivid form. A bottle for adventurous spirits drinkers, bartenders and those who enjoy distinctive, full-flavoured distillates.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ikehara Syuzo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54601757786450,"sku":null,"price":83.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1094\/8454\/0242\/files\/0726174820_64c0ddd4eeef4.jpg?v=1788870921"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1094\/8454\/0242\/collections\/distilleries_ikehara_image_main.jpg?v=1788773109","url":"https:\/\/www.awamori-trade-hub-uk.jp\/collections\/ikehara-syuzo-co-ltd.oembed","provider":"Awamori Trade Hub UK","version":"1.0","type":"link"}