No.8848   2004. 7. 27

Suntory to Release “Kuromaru Shinshu”, Honkaku Shochu of 2004
- Launching “Imo Jochu Nouveau”, produced with Koganesengan -

Suntory Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka, President: Nobutada Saji) is to release “Kuromaru Shinshu”, honkaku (“the real thing”) shochu produced with sweet potatoes that have been just harvested this year, from November 1, 2004, throughout Japan.

In collaboration with Hamada Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Kagoshima, President: Yuichiro Hamada), Suntory developed the masterpiece of honkaku shochu called “Kuromaru” and released it in March 2003. “Kuromaru” has been received well by customers, for its mild taste that was realized by the manufacturing method of “Kurokouji”. Suntory then released “Kuromaru Shinshu”, the new honkaku shochu of “Kuromaru”, in November 2003 using sweet potatoes that had been harvested in the same year. “Kuromaru Shinshu” received high remarks from customers for its rich aroma and fresh taste of the potatoes.

“Kuromaru Shinshu” of 2004 provides fresh and unique taste, using sweet potatoes from Kagoshima that have been just harvested in the year. With this product's release, Suntory wishes to propose the new appeal of Imo Jochu (traditional Japanese shochu made of sweet potatoes) while the Imo Jochu market is growing.

• About New Imo Jochu

Only fresh sweet potatoes can make Imo Jochu, thus the potatoes must be used within a few days after being harvested. Unlike other shochu produced with grain crops, Imo Jochu can be only made during the harvest season of sweet potatoes between August and November.
Normally, Imo Jochu is released after being matured for a few months. Shinshu (“new shochu”), however, is released soon after being produced. It is distilled at an early part of the season. Every year as a tradition, shochu manufacturers deliver a small amount of shinshu to customers, celebrating the beginning of making shochu. In 1987, the Honkaku Shochu Council set the 1st of November as the “day of honkaku shochu”, in order to enlighten and promote people's understanding of honkaku shochu every year. To commemorate this day, “Kuromaru Shinshu” will be released on 1st of November.

• About Crop Situation in 2004

Last year experienced the lack of sunlight due to the abnormal weather conditions, so sweet potatoes did not grow well in many places. This year has experienced good weather, and it expects to harvest well-grown sweet potatoes from the end of August.

• Features of Content

“Kuromaru Shinshu” is produced only with “Koganesengan”, a kind of sweet potatoes that have been harvested in the fall of 2004. “Kuromaru Shinshu” is well-balanced with its fresh taste and rich aroma of the potatoes. It is produced by the traditional manufacturing method of “Kurokouji”, similar to “Kuromaru”. “Kuromaru Shinshu” provides the new shochu taste, to be enjoyed only in this season.

• About Packaging

“Kuromaru Shinshu” inherited the simple and quality design of “Kuromaru” package, with the “Kuromaru” name and a circle sign drawn on its white label with a black pen. “Kuromaru Shinshu” is in a slim and frost bottle, and the “shinshu” logo is written on the label and the paper that covers the bottle cap, appealing for its fresh presence.

‹About Hamada Shuzo Co., Ltd.›

Established in 1868, Hamada Shuzo is the distinguished manufacturer of Kagoshima Imo Jochu with traditionally polished skills. While continuing to modernize the ways to produce shochu, Hamada Shuzo practices activities that pass on the home-made tradition, such as establishing “Shochukura-Sasshu-Hamadayadenbei” that produces shochu by the traditional method.

▼ Name of Product, Volume, Suggested Retail Price (without consumption tax), Type, Proof, and Packaging
　 “Honkaku Shochu, Kuromaru Shinshu“, 720ml, 1,200yen, Otsu-type Shochu, 25%,
　 12 bottles per case
　 * A price above does not bind independent price decisions of retail stores.

▼ Release Date and Sale's Region
　 November 1, 2004 Japan nationwide

▽ For more information:
　 Suntory Customer Center Toll free number: 0120-139-310
　 (Osaka) Dojimahama 2-1-40, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-8203, Japan
　 (Tokyo) Moto-Akasaka 1-2-3, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8430, Japan
　 Suntory HP: http://www.suntory.co.jp/