Where to Buy Your Shochu & Awamori

The UKBG’s Great Honkaku Shochu & Awamori Contest is upon us! With our first round’s online submission deadline being 24 February 2023, you’ll want to get your supplies in, fairly quickly! Shochu isn’t as widespread among UK suppliers as other Japanese beverages, and given the international supply chain issues, distribution has been hit hard. However, given that our contest doesn’t place any big brand restrictions you’ll have a lot more freedom to choose the ingredients that really reflect your creativity.

For competitors, we’d recommend that you attend and regularly refer back to our Honkaku Shochu & Awamori seminar  (all registered attendees will receive a watch link to refer back to). If you have applied to attend, you will receive a Zoom link by email a few days before the 30th of January.

Category Recommendations

Our recommendations are based purely on availability in the UK, rather than specific properties of that brand. We should say that inclusion on this list is not a direct endorsement of any specific brand or supplier on our part. Remember, you will get the chance to justify and contextualise your ingredient choices on your submission form!

• Awamori: We recommend Miyazato Harusame Kari ABV 30% or Zuisen 3 Day Koji Awamori ABV 25%

• Mugi Shochu (Barley Shochu): We recommend using Ginza No Suzume Mugi  ABV 20% or Yanagita Shuzo Omugi Shochu Aokage ABV 25%, Sanwa Lichiko Mugi Shochu ABV 25%

• Kome Shochu (Rice Shochu): We recommend Takahashi Hakutake Gin Shiro ABV 25%

• Imo Shochu (Sweet Potato Shochu): We recommend Kuro Kirishima ABV 25%

• Kokuto Shochu (Black Sugar Shochu): We recommend Amami Lento Kokuto Shochu ABV 25% or Yamada Shuzo Amami Nagakumo Kokuto Shochu ABV 25%

Recommended Retailers

• The Whisky Exchange: The Whisky Exchange has a good selection of Shochu

• Master of Malt: A wide selection of Japanese Spirits.

• Tengu Sake: Tengu Sake has won numerous awards as a specialist spirits supplier, specifically for Japanese products.

• Rice Wine Shop: A comprehensive Japanese and Far Eastern product retailer. However, this site is geared towards Japanese ex-pats living in the UK/EU, and as such is in Japanese. However, Google Chrome does a good job of translating,

• Soldeli: An online website dedicated to Japanese Sushi & Fine Dining

• World Sake Imports UK: An importer of Sake and Japanese beverages in the UK. Check their stockist listings for your nearest physical store.

• Natural Natural: A network of community-based Japanese organic food stores in London. Many of the shops listed also do delivery.

• GG Oriental – A specialist store in Gloucester Green, Oxford

• The Japan Centre – A store in London and online

• The Japanese Shop  – Has a store in Brighton and online

• Sorakami – A specialist online retailer

• Miiandu – Has multiple sites in Milton Keynes, Luton and Sandy

• Central Cash & Carry – Cardiff Rd Industrial Estate, Watford WD18

• Japan House– London and online

• Kokushu Creative – online shop

• Taste of Japan – online shop

• Mai Sake – online shop

• London Sake – Sake subscriptions and bottle shop

• JFC – wholesale retailer (contact mwashida@jfc.eu)

• Tazaki Foods – wholesale retailer (contact hiroko.nishitani@tazakifoods.com)

• Museum of Sake – wholesale retailer (contact natsuki.pim@gmail.com)

• Japan Food Express – wholesale retailer (contact info@japanfoodexpress.co.uk)

• Sake Collective – independent importer (contact s.hirasaki@sakecollective.uk)

We would urge you to order your ingredients as soon as possible, in order to meet our submission deadline.

We look forward to seeing you and tasting your cocktail creations.