Zuisen Distillery Co., Ltd. Head Office

After visiting Shuri Castle, I took a short walk down the hill and arrived at a local Awamori distillery. Not only did I get to watch a short video about Awamori (with English subtitles), and explore the educational panels and displays, but more importantly, I came for the free samples! 😆

They do offer a guided tour, but you'll need to make a reservation in advance. I went for the self-guided tour, which was relaxing. Although you can't enter the restricted areas, you can still peek inside and, of course, enjoy some tastings!

Awamori is a type of local sake unique to Okinawa, with a rich history and culture spanning 500-600 years. Unlike regular sake, which is brewed, Awamori is distilled using Thai rice and aged in traditional clay pots to enhance its flavour and mellowness.

I tried their signature 3-year and 10-year series. With an alcohol content ranging from 30-43%, it’s pretty strong! Just a small cup gave me a sharp, stinging sensation, but the flavour was rich and delicate. Despite its quality, my taste buds couldn't fully appreciate the traditional Awamori.

However, I did find my match with their sweeter, fruitier versions. I tasted the Okinawan Brown Sugar Plum Wine, Kabuchi, and Black Tea Liqueur, all of which were so refreshing! My favourite was the Black Tea Liqueur (also called "Evening Black Tea", ¥1540/500ml) with a lighter 12% alcohol content. It was so delicious that I bought a bottle to enjoy during my stay! Made with carefully hand-picked Okinawan black tea leaves, it had a rich Earl Grey aroma and a smoky-sweet flavour that felt cool and light. It hardly tasted like alcohol at all!

The staff was super courteous and helpful, even with limited English. Most of our communication involved pointing and using a translator app, but it worked out perfectly!
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🚩Zuisen Distillery Co., Ltd. Head Office, 瑞泉酒造株式会社 本社, Japan, 〒903-0814 Okinawa, Naha, Shurisakiyamacho, 1 Chome−３５
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