As we did last year, here is a list of the korui and konwa shochu products that were released in 2019.
This is a far smaller industry segment when compared with honkaku shochu, the traditional style that people generally think of when talking about shochu.
| Date | Brand + Maker | Type + ABV | Vol. + MSRP |
| Jan. | 鏡月 Kyogetsu (label update) Suntory Spirits | Unlisted 20% + 25% | 14 Variations Unlisted pricing |
| 2/13 | 麦焼酎かのか Mugi Shochu Kanoka (limited spring package) Asahi Beer | Ko-Otsu Konwa 25% | 1.8 L Open pricing |
| 2/26 | 極上大自然 Gokujo Daishizen (Hokkaido limited release) Takara Shuzo | Korui 20% | 4 L PET ￥2,543 |
| 2/26 | こだわりのレモンサワー用 Kodawari no Lemon Sawa- yo Takara Shuzo | Korui 20% | 1.8 L carton ￥1,468 + 600 ml bottle ￥680 |
| 3.19 | 麦焼酎かのか Mugi Shochu Kanoka 阪神タイガース応援デザインパッケージ (Hanshin Tigers fan packaging) かのか ２０１８年夏限定パッケージ (Kanoka 2018 summer limited release) Asahi Beer | Ko-Otsu Konwa 25% | 1.8 L carton Open pricing |
| 5.28 | 麦焼酎かのか Mugi Shochu Kanoka (Summer limited release) Asahi Beer | Ko-Otsu Konwa 25% | 1.8 L carton Open pricing |
| July | 宝焼酎/鏡月上宝焼酎/ピュアパック/ 宝っこ/大自然 [Multiple brands] Takara Shuzo | Korui 20% + 25% | 56 Variations Unlisted pricing |
| 8.2 | 麦焼酎かのか Mugi Shochu Kanoka (Autumn limited release) Asahi Beer | Ko-Otsu Konwa 25% | 1.8 L carton Open pricing |
| 9.3 | 芋焼酎かのか Imo Shochu Kanoka (2 ver.) 農酵まろやか仕立て Noko Maroyaka Shitate 華やかすっきり仕立て Hanayaka Sukkiri Shitate Asahi Beer | Ko-Otsu Konwa 25% | 6 Variations Open pricing |
| 9.3 | 宝焼酎２５％ Takara Shochu 25% (West Japan limited release) Takara Shuzo | Korui 25% | 1.8 L carton ￥1,373 |
| 9.3 | 極上宝焼酎 Gokujo Takara Shochu Takara Shuzo | Korui 20% + 25% | 2 L PET ￥1,430 ￥1,682 |
| 9.17 | 樽が香る宝焼酎 Taru ga Kaoru Takara Shochu Takara Shuzo | Korui 20% + 25% | 7 Variations ￥218 – ￥1,694 |
| 9.18 | 麦焼酎かのか 芳醇コク深仕立て Mugi Shochu Kanoka Hojun Koku Fuka Shitate Asahi Beer | Ko-Otsu Konwa 25% | 1.8 L carton Open pricing |
| 10.29 | 焼き芋かのか Yakiimo Kanoka Asahi Beer | Ko-Otsu Konwa 25% | 1.8 L carton Open pricing |
| 11.26 | 紅かのか Beni Kanoka Asahi Beer | Ko-Otsu Konwa 25% | 1.8 L carton Open pricing |
| 12.3 | 麦焼酎かのか Mugi Shochu Kanoka (Winter limited release) Asahi Beer | Ko-Otsu Konwa 25% | 1.8 L carton Open pricing |
All of the new releases last year were courtesy of Asahi Beer and Takara Shuzo, two massive corporations with diverse beverage alcohol portfolios. They stayed out of each other’s way last year with Asahi focusing on ko-otsu konwa (blended) products and Takara releasing only pure korui labels.
Asahi Beer also leaned into its seasonal releases last year while also offering more sweet potato expressions. Overall, there were more than twice as many new products released when compared to 2018.
Konwa shochu, a blended shochu category of sorts, has been suggested as a possible starting point for those new to shochu in general. It has flavor and aroma thanks to the use of some single-distilled (otsurui) shochu, but is still very mild and easy for beginners to handle.
Korui products, on the other hand, are generally sold as mixers as they are more like vodka in that they have little on the nose other than ethanol. As such, korui is primarily used as a low-calorie vodka substitute in mixed drinks. It is not commonly consumed on its own.
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