iichiko Silhouette Mugi Shochu

iichiko (Sanwa Shurui) · Oita
Alcohol Shochu Alcohol Established export

Japan's #1 barley (mugi) shochu and the #1 shochu import in the US, exporting to ~30 countries. Clean, smooth and mixable, iichiko has driven shochu's overseas growth and entered the US in 2019 with exponential growth since. The premium iichiko Saiten variant is built for cocktails.

The supplierSanwa Shurui Co., Ltd. (Usa, Oita), formed 1958 (three-family merger); ~JPY 26B sales (2023); makers of iichiko, Japan's leading barley (mugi) shochu and the #1 shochu import in the US, exporting to ~30 countries. Strong global brand/B2B/English readiness.
Why it sells abroadWorld's most recognizable shochu brand; #1 US shochu import; clean 100% two-row barley, single-distilled honkaku; bartender/cocktail-friendly (iichiko Saiten line)

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsJETRO 'Discover Shochu' partner (confirmed): Sanwa Shurui has a dedicated distillery profile on JETRO's official Discover Shochu site. HACCP: not publicly verified. FSSC 22000: not publicly verified. NOT organic/biodynamic/sustainable (per wine/spirit certification databases). No halal certification found.
Pack formats720ml (Japan/Asia) and 750ml (US) bottles; 900ml and 1.8L; 200ml. Cartons 12s/24s. Confirmed via retail listings.
Shelf lifeDistilled honkaku shochu — very long/indefinite sealed; flavor best within ~24 months. No spoilage.
StorageCool, dark, upright; no refrigeration needed.
Minimum orderTypical: 1 case via importer; FCL 1×20ft direct for distributor accounts
Lead timeTypical: 1–3 weeks ex-works + 4–6 weeks ocean
CapacityVery high — Japan's leading barley-shochu producer with mass distillation capacity
Container loadTypical: ~1,000 cases (720ml ×12) per 20ft
PricingEstimate: accessible-premium spirit; FOB ~USD 9–14/720ml wholesale equivalent
OEM / private labelBrand only for iichiko. The Sanwa Shurui group produces broadly but iichiko itself is a controlled brand; no third-party private label found.
Wholesale & MOQSanwa Shurui export + importers; case MOQ (12x750ml), pallet/FCL for volume. Best-distributed shochu overseas.
Key exporters & distributorsJFC International, Mutual Trading, Wismettac Asian Foods
Export regulationUS TTB/COLA + state tier; often exported at 24% ABV to qualify for beer/wine-license venues; EU excise + labeling.
Market demandGrowing global shochu interest; strong US on-trade/cocktail pull plus Germany, Australia, SE Asia, Taiwan/HK/China
How to source itUS distributor network (importer changed in recent years); JETRO Discover Shochu; Sanwa Shurui export division. FOODEX Japan.
Verified sourceshttps://www.jetro.go.jp/en/discovershochu/distillery/sanwa_shurui.html; https://iwsc.net/results/detail/150428/iichiko-special-shochu
MakerSanwa Shurui Co., Ltd.
OriginOita
CategoryAlcohol / Shochu
Available inUnited States, Germany, Australia +8 more
HandlingAlcohol
Price tierMid
ChannelSpecialty
Export readinessEstablished export
HS code2208.90
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Profile maintained by Japonity (japonity.com), May 2026. General sourcing information only — confirm current availability, pricing, MOQ and the destination market's import rules with the maker or exporter before contracting. Japonity is not affiliated with this brand.