Hamada expands Chill Green botanical shochu series
Japanese producer Hamada Syuzou has unveiled its second expression in the Chill Green series, combining bitter and tropical flavours. The post Hamada expands Chill Green botanical shochu series appeared first on The Drinks Business.
Japanese producer Hamada Syuzou has unveiled its second expression in the Chill Green series, combining bitter and tropical flavours.
Following the launch of its botanical spirit Chill Green Spicy & Citrus, in February 2023, the Ichikikushikino City-based producer from the Kagoshima Prefecture has released the series' second expression: Chill Green Bitter & Tropical. Building on the success of the initial bottle, Hamada Syuzou aims to lead the shochu industry into a new era, expanding the customer base and creating more ways to enjoy Japanese spirits.
Chill Green Bitter & Tropical is made with barley shochu and an uncommon hop variety, Galaxy, which is said to account for only 1% of global production. The hops as a botanical give the shochu notes of passion fruit and crisp citrus with a pleasant bitterness. Combined with the company’s unique production techniques, the result is an expression with a sweet citrus aroma and bitterness reminiscent of pink grapefruit.
Hamada recommends two ways to enjoy Chill Green with soda water, highlighting its versatility. For a more pronounced pink grapefruit flavour, the company suggests mixing one part Bitter & Tropical with two parts soda water. Alternatively, a one-to-one ratio will emphasise the passion fruit flavours in the spirit.
Offered at 25% ABV, the new Chill Green Spicy & Citrus is available in 720ml and 1,8-litre bottles. The expression will be available for overseas shipments starting this month (February). Both Chill Green Otsurui-type shochus (meaning those derived from a single distillation) are also now available from Hamada Syuzou's website, along with a wide selection of spirits.
Behind the craft
Chill Green botanical shochu is designed to fill the gap in the market that resonates with a new generation of consumers. As Hamada's marketing strategist Nobuya Tanaka explains: "As the public’s interest and focus on food changes fast and unpredictably, we explored concepts that would resonate with the wants of the next generation of consumers. In the process, we identified key values that these consumers share. It was then that we first laid out our new blueprint for making shochu to grow the market base.
"Our first release, Chill Green Spicy & Citrus, has garnered recognition from new consumer segments and has gradually penetrated the market. With this new addition, we are confident that the value of shochu will be further augmented and an expansion of the worldview of botanical barley shochu will result."
Finding the right hops for the shochu from more than 300 different varieties across the globe wasn't an easy task. Chikori Ogata, product R&D lab specialist, elaborates: "The aromas and tastes of hops vary widely—some can be herbal, while others are fruity. It took a great deal of effort to find the right hop among many, identify the concept of the series, and create something that matches our vision of what botanical barley shochu would be.
"The most important feature in our botanical barley shochu is the non-traditional flavour that has never been seen before in the industry. It was achieved by Hamada's original Botani-cohol Method and Refined Blend by choosing the finest shochus from the warehouses. The choice of hops determines which method we use to maximise flavours in the mashing phase. Through trial and error, we have found a way to get the most out of the Galaxy hops."
Chill Green continues on a path of award-winning concepts, combining a 'chill out' relaxation with natural, 'green' aspirations. At the 20th Glass Bottle Awards 2024, a competition run by the Japan Glass Bottle Association, the design of the series' first release, Chill Green Spicy & Citrus, won the Lily Franky Award. The award, named for the chair of the competition jury, was based on the various aspects of glass bottles, such as design, functionality and environmental friendliness.
The judges commented: "The idea of putting shochu in a wine bottle is interesting. Furthermore, the label, which emphasises the flavour, differs from the traditional shochu design, creating a new product image. The entire package is unified by making use of the colour tone of the bottle, making it a cool and put-together product."
Hamada will showcase its products at the BCB Singapore 2025 from 2-3 March in stands A-08 and A-10. Furthermore, the company will present Chill Green at various events in Shanghai, Taiwan and South Korea.
Following the launch of its botanical spirit Chill Green Spicy & Citrus, in February 2023, the Ichikikushikino City-based producer from the Kagoshima Prefecture has released the series' second expression: Chill Green Bitter & Tropical. Building on the success of the initial bottle, Hamada Syuzou aims to lead the shochu industry into a new era, expanding the customer base and creating more ways to enjoy Japanese spirits.
Chill Green Bitter & Tropical is made with barley shochu and an uncommon hop variety, Galaxy, which is said to account for only 1% of global production. The hops as a botanical give the shochu notes of passion fruit and crisp citrus with a pleasant bitterness. Combined with the company’s unique production techniques, the result is an expression with a sweet citrus aroma and bitterness reminiscent of pink grapefruit.
Hamada recommends two ways to enjoy Chill Green with soda water, highlighting its versatility. For a more pronounced pink grapefruit flavour, the company suggests mixing one part Bitter & Tropical with two parts soda water. Alternatively, a one-to-one ratio will emphasise the passion fruit flavours in the spirit.
Offered at 25% ABV, the new Chill Green Spicy & Citrus is available in 720ml and 1,8-litre bottles. The expression will be available for overseas shipments starting this month (February). Both Chill Green Otsurui-type shochus (meaning those derived from a single distillation) are also now available from Hamada Syuzou's website, along with a wide selection of spirits.
Behind the craft
Chill Green botanical shochu is designed to fill the gap in the market that resonates with a new generation of consumers. As Hamada's marketing strategist Nobuya Tanaka explains: "As the public’s interest and focus on food changes fast and unpredictably, we explored concepts that would resonate with the wants of the next generation of consumers. In the process, we identified key values that these consumers share. It was then that we first laid out our new blueprint for making shochu to grow the market base.
"Our first release, Chill Green Spicy & Citrus, has garnered recognition from new consumer segments and has gradually penetrated the market. With this new addition, we are confident that the value of shochu will be further augmented and an expansion of the worldview of botanical barley shochu will result."
Finding the right hops for the shochu from more than 300 different varieties across the globe wasn't an easy task. Chikori Ogata, product R&D lab specialist, elaborates: "The aromas and tastes of hops vary widely—some can be herbal, while others are fruity. It took a great deal of effort to find the right hop among many, identify the concept of the series, and create something that matches our vision of what botanical barley shochu would be.
"The most important feature in our botanical barley shochu is the non-traditional flavour that has never been seen before in the industry. It was achieved by Hamada's original Botani-cohol Method and Refined Blend by choosing the finest shochus from the warehouses. The choice of hops determines which method we use to maximise flavours in the mashing phase. Through trial and error, we have found a way to get the most out of the Galaxy hops."
Chill Green continues on a path of award-winning concepts, combining a 'chill out' relaxation with natural, 'green' aspirations. At the 20th Glass Bottle Awards 2024, a competition run by the Japan Glass Bottle Association, the design of the series' first release, Chill Green Spicy & Citrus, won the Lily Franky Award. The award, named for the chair of the competition jury, was based on the various aspects of glass bottles, such as design, functionality and environmental friendliness.
The judges commented: "The idea of putting shochu in a wine bottle is interesting. Furthermore, the label, which emphasises the flavour, differs from the traditional shochu design, creating a new product image. The entire package is unified by making use of the colour tone of the bottle, making it a cool and put-together product."
Hamada will showcase its products at the BCB Singapore 2025 from 2-3 March in stands A-08 and A-10. Furthermore, the company will present Chill Green at various events in Shanghai, Taiwan and South Korea. 
