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

---

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

---

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% Aomori apples : 26 varieties of apples grown in our own orchard are used. The whole apple, including the skin and seeds, is fermented raw, resulting in a distilled spirit unique to Aomori that has the freshness of freshly picked apples.
• Attention to detail in barrels : The maker uses top-quality French oak from Grand Cru and other regions, sourced from French barrel manufacturers of their choice. Even the same barrels are toasted in different ways, resulting in a wide variety of barrels, including rare new acacia barrels.
• Blend : The raw spirits were aged in seven different types of barrels, including six different types of oak barrels and one acacia barrel, and then blended mainly in oak barrels.
• Aroma and Flavor : Oak barrels impart a sweet aroma and flavor like vanilla and caramel. Acacia barrels add a touch of elegance.
• Manufacturing process : This distilled spirit is made solely from the bounty of Aomori, including not only apples but also fermented with wild yeast collected from the Shirakami Mountains, a World Heritage Site, and using underground water from Mt. Iwaki, a famous peak in Aomori known as the "Fuji of Tsugaru."
• Towards the development of Aomori Prefecture's apple industry : To help develop the apple industry, we will donate a portion of the sales from EARLY BIRD 2024 to related organizations.

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% Aomori apples : 26 varieties of apples grown in our own orchard are used. The whole apple, including the skin, is fermented raw, creating a distilled spirit that is unique to Aomori, with a fresh taste like freshly picked apples.
• Base apple brandy : An exquisite blend of aged apple brandy aged in Grand Cru and carefully selected first-class French oak barrels and new acacia barrels, and white apple brandy aged in fresh stainless steel barrels.
• Made with rare apple juice : Made with juice from Goshogawara and Red Q apples, which are specialty apples of Goshogawa City and are rich in polyphenols, have red flesh, and a strong acidity.
• Special aging : Aged for 6 months in old barrels for wild grape wine, giving it a unique flavor with a subtle grape astringency.
• Taste : Bittersweet apple brandy with a fruity and luscious flavor.
• Symbolizing the characteristics of the region : Products that reflect the characteristics of Aomori's nature and Goshogawara's specialty products.

---

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

Google Maps

---