Raw materials
Sweet potato (Kogane Sengan variety)
Rice (for koji and sake production)
Producer
Nishi
Explore the spirits, production style and story of Nishi.
Japanese producer based in Fukiage (Hioki, Kagoshima) active in the production of honkaku shōchū (especially imo/shōchū made from sweet potato), sake, whisky, wines and liqueurs. With a long history tied to local agriculture, it is known for labels such as Tomino Houzan, Kiccho Houzan and Tenshino Yuwaku.
Sweet potato shōchū (Imo)
Honkaku shōchū
Barrel-aged shōchū
Japanese whisky (brand/operator of Ontake)
Sake
Organic / terroir wines (URLAR)
Producer range
Producer range Nishi
Spirit categories
Sweet potato shōchū (Imo)
Honkaku shōchū
Barrel-aged shōchū
Japanese whisky (brand/operator of Ontake)
Sake
Organic / terroir wines (URLAR)
Representative products
Kiccho Houzan Imo 72cl - Nishi
Tomino Houzan Imo 72cl - Nishi
Tenshino Yuwaku Imo 70cl - Nishi
Casks and ageing vessels
sherry casks
Distillation and production
Distillation and production
Production method
For the Houzan shōchū line fermentations with different types of koji (white, yellow, black) are employed and distillation is described as atmospheric and single-pass (single-distilled). The company cultivates or selects local sweet potatoes (Kogane Sengan variety) and uses rice for koji; some expressions are also aged in casks.
Distillation
Atmospheric distillation, single distillation (single-distilled) for the honkaku shōchū expressions.
Ageing
Some labels are unaged; others, like Tenshino Yuwaku, are offered as barrel-aged versions for several years (e.g. sherry cask aging reported for some editions).
Producer history Nishi
Founded in 1845 and still based in Fukiage (Hioki, Kagoshima), Nishi Shuzo has been operating for over a century and a half in the production of traditional Japanese alcoholic beverages. The company is led by family leadership (Yoichiro Nishi, 8th generation) and has progressively expanded its activities to include shōchū, sake, whisky and wine.
Production philosophy
The company states that it considers agriculture the foundation of alcoholic production: care of raw materials (local sweet potatoes and rice), respect for the territory and artisanal techniques are central to its production philosophy. The declared goal is to express the richness of the land in its products and to maintain a strong link with local tradition.
Territory
Fukiage (Hioki), Kagoshima Prefecture; geographic region: southern Kyushu, Japan.
Nishi
This producer is a useful reference point for enthusiasts looking for authentic spirits, distinctive production identity and a carefully selected online catalogue.
On this page you can discover the producer, understand its main categories and browse the products currently available for purchase.
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