CHILL GREEN Hop-Infused Mugi Shochu Officially Launches in Taiwan
CHILL GREEN bitter & tropical, a hop-infused mugi shochu from renowned Japanese producer Hamada Syuzou, officially launched in Taiwan in April. The debut attracted strong interest from bartenders, culinary professionals, and media through curated events hosted by USE Electronics Co., Ltd. at USE Sake Garden on April 14 and 15.
The innovative series, CHILL GREEN bitter & tropical, from renowned Japanese shochu producer Hamada Syuzou, features Galaxy hops that deliver distinctive citrus aromas and a naturally refined bitterness. Crafted using the proprietary Botaniol and Refine Blend production methods, the product pioneers a new category that fuses herbal botanicals with traditional mugi shochu—offering Asian consumers a truly unprecedented herbal-style mugi shochu experience.
Hamada Syuzou's First Taiwan Launch: Herbal Mugi Shochu in Modern Cocktail Expressions
To mark its official debut in Taiwan, the event was specially curated for the local market, featuring tasting sessions, culinary pairings, and live cocktail demonstrations that fully showcased the flavor characteristics and application potential of CHILL GREEN bitter & tropical.
The cocktail experience was led by Ada, Head Bartender of Meowvelous Inc. in Taipei, who created two exclusive signature cocktails. The food pairing program was curated by acclaimed chef Kenji Inamura, who applied refined Japanese culinary techniques combined with carefully selected Taiwanese ingredients, presenting an exceptional food-and-spirits experience.
The two event-exclusive cocktails beautifully expressed the distinctive character of herbal-style mugi shochu and were warmly received by guests:
Passion Fruit × Citrus — Built on vibrant tropical fruit notes, complemented by honey and fresh lemon, delivering a smooth and refreshing palate with a subtle hop bitterness on the finish. Particularly popular among female guests, it was praised as an ideal choice for relaxed summer enjoyment.
Tea Aroma × Fruit — A refined blend of cold-brewed oolong tea and citrus elements, presenting an elegant and layered flavor profile. The cocktail received high acclaim from professional bartenders and hospitality industry representatives in attendance.
Many guests also commented that when simply mixed with sparkling water as a highball, CHILL GREEN reveals a crisp texture and multi-layered aromatics reminiscent of craft IPA, highlighting both the intrinsic charm and versatility of the shochu itself.
USE Introduces CHILL GREEN to Pioneer a New Wave of Shochu Culture
USE Electronics Co., Ltd. sincerely thanks Mr. Junichi Nakata, Deputy General Manager of Marketing, and Mr. Sho Tanimoto from the Marketing Division of Hamada Syuzou, who personally traveled to Taiwan to share the brand philosophy of the CHILL GREEN series and its positioning within the Asian market—demonstrating the brand's strong commitment to Taiwan.
Built around the concepts of "chill out" and "green," the CHILL GREEN series blends herbal botanicals with mugi shochu, offering a fresh reinterpretation of traditional shochu and resonating strongly with younger and crosscategory consumers. The first official launch event in Taiwan marks a significant milestone in strengthening the brand's presence across the Asian market. Looking ahead, Hamada Syuzou will continue developing innovative flavor profiles and diverse serving styles, further expanding new possibilities for shochu within Asia's evolving drinking culture.
Since 2001, USE has continuously introduced the latest Japanese alcoholic beverages to Taiwan. Upholding the spirit of working closely with Japanese breweries to promote the enjoyment of fine sake and shochu, USE remains committed to presenting diverse drinking styles to industry professionals and consumers alike. Through product launch events such as CHILL GREEN, we hope to bring more consumers closer to the distinctive charm of Japanese shochu.
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