Mohodori Distillery Laboratory, now in its fourth year, releases two new apple brandies at the same time! [Aomori Prefecture]

Mokhodori Distillery Laboratory, famous for its LOVEVADOS apple brandy, will begin selling two limited edition varieties of the 2024 version of the LOVEVADOS apple brandy barrel-aged series from August 1, 2024

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What is Mokhodori Distillery Laboratory?

Mohodori Distillation Laboratory is an apple brandy distillery operated by Sun Apple Brewing Japan Ltd., and is based on agriculture, growing apples, soybeans, wheat, barley, and other crops

"Mohoridori" means owl in Tsugaru dialect. Owls have long been popular as beneficial animals that prey on voles, which are pests of apples, and the distillery was named after them because they are like guardians of apple orchards

We produce apple brandy using a continuous still equipped with two stills, each capable of distilling 1,200L of mash (a raw material made from crushed and fermented apples), manufactured by Arnold Holstein of Germany

The company's flagship brand, LOVEVADOS Apple Brandy, will be selling its first barrel-aged product in limited quantities in 2023, which has been well received

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LOVEVADOS Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Series 2024

EARLY BIRD 2024

EARLY BIRD 2024 was aged in barrels for 16 months, which is a short period for brandy, but it is aged just enough to allow the fresh, vibrant aroma and flavor of apples and new oak to be fully appreciated

"EARLY BIRD 2023," which was sold in a limited run of 800 bottles in 2023, won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC)

Link:Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC)

Features of EARLY BIRD 2024

• Made with 100% apples from Aomori Prefecture: We use 26 varieties of apples grown on our own farm. The apples are fermented whole, including the peel and seeds, resulting in a unique Aomori distilled spirit with a fresh, just-picked taste.
• Attention to barrels: We use top-quality French oak from Grand Cru and other regions, sourced from French barrel manufacturers, and offer a variety of barrels with different toasting methods even within the same type of barrel, as well as rare new acacia barrels.
• Blending: The whiskies are aged in a total of seven types of barrels: six types of oak barrels with different processing methods and acacia barrels, and then blended primarily in oak barrels.
• Aroma and Flavor: The oak barrels impart sweet aromas and flavors reminiscent of vanilla and caramel. Acacia barrels add a touch of elegance as an accent.
• Manufacturing process: The base is a distilled spirit made using only the blessings of Aomori, including not only apples but also wild yeast collected from the Shirakami Mountains, a World Heritage Site, and groundwater from Mt. Iwaki, a famous peak in Aomori known as "Tsugaru Fuji".
• Towards the development of Aomori Prefecture's apple industry : A portion of the proceeds from EARLY BIRD 2024 will be donated to related organizations to support the development of the apple industry.

BRUCE (Blues) Twilight

"BRUCE" is a portmanteau of "Brandy" and "Juice," and as the name suggests, it is an apple brandy that is rare in Japan, made by combining brandy and apple juice and aging it in barrels

The color of the apple brandy barrels used, combined with the brick-colored juice of rare apple varieties, resembles the color of twilight seen from the Sea of ​​Japan side of Aomori, hence the name "BRUCE Twilight."

Characteristics of BRUCE (Bruce) Twilight

• Made with 100% apples from Aomori Prefecture: We use 26 varieties of apples grown on our own farm. The apples are fermented whole, including the peel, leaving no waste, resulting in a unique Aomori distilled spirit with a fresh, just-picked taste.
• Base Apple Brandy: A masterful blend of aged apple brandy matured in new Grand Cru and carefully selected first-grade French oak and acacia barrels, and white apple brandy matured in fresh stainless steel barrels.
• Made with rare apple juice: Uses apple juice from "Goshogawara" and "Red Q," special apple varieties from Goshogawa City that are rich in polyphenols, have red flesh, and a strong tartness.
• Special aging process: Aged for 6 months in old barrels previously used for wild grape wine, this wine develops a unique flavor profile with subtle grape tannins.
• Taste: A bittersweet apple brandy with a fruity and sweet flavor.
• Symbolizing regional characteristics: Products that reflect the natural beauty of Aomori and the unique products of Goshogawara.

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summary

By the way, the flagship brand "LOVEVADOS" is probably a play on the word "calvados."

Calvados is a distilled liquor made from apples in the Normandy region of France, and similar distilled liquors made outside of this region cannot be called Calvados and are instead called "apple brandy" to distinguish them. It's the same logic as champagne and sparkling wine

If you're interested in apple liquor, be sure to give it a try

Mohodori Distillery Research Institute <Information>

• Name: Mohodori Distilling Laboratory (Sun Apple Brewing Japan Ltd.)
• Address: 508-5 Omachi, Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture, 037-0063
• Phone number: 0173-23-5805

Official URL

• Mohodori Distillery website　　　　   : https://www.mohodori.com/
• Mohodori Distillery Online Shop　　https://www.mohodori.shop/

Google Maps

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