Why source from Japan
Iki Mugi-Shōchū is one of only ~5 GI-protected Japanese spirits; 7 distilleries on a small island maintain 500+ year heritage.
Key spec
Alcohol 25-44%; barley-derived light profile; ethyl-acetate notes; volcanic-island water mineral profile.
Typical end-product
Premium retail spirit, beverage-OEM grade for Asian export, hospitality export.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 1 supplier
- Typical MOQ
- Beverage: per supplier; ingredient: 1–10 kg lees / 1–10 L distillate
- Typical lead time
- 6–10 weeks (ingredient)
- Regions of origin
- Nagasaki (Iki Island)
- Category
- Traditional materials
- Harvest season
- Barley April – June; distillation year-round
- Japan regulatory status
- Iki Shōchū GI (MAFF, 1995); MHLW alcoholic-beverage rules
- Japanese name
- 壱岐麦焼酎
- Romaji
- 壱岐麦焼酎
About this ingredient
Barley-based honkaku shōchū produced exclusively on Iki Island (Nagasaki Prefecture). One of the four GI-protected honkaku shōchū origins (along with Kagoshima imo, Kuma kome, Ryukyu awamori). Distinguished by light, clean profile from Iki-island barley and the soft volcanic-island groundwater. Roughly 7 distilleries operate on Iki, producing both retail and B2B ingredient supply. Distinct from existing imo / awamori shōchū entries.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Iki Shōchū GI (MAFF, 1995); MHLW alcoholic-beverage rules |
|---|---|
| EU | Spirit import; CN 2208 |
| United States | TTB regulated alcohol |
| China | GACC; spirit-import licensing |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Iki Mugi-Shōchū (Iki Barley Shōchū) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Sake Extract
日本酒エキス
INCI Sake Extract (cosmetic) — JSCI ingredient; MOQ from 10–30 kg (cosmetic extract) / 50–500 L (bulk for food use).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Sencha Extract
煎茶エキス
FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 20–100 kg.
Plant-based· shares 2 categories
Hojicha (Roasted Green Tea)
焙じ茶
MOQ from 20–100 kg (powder); 50–200 kg (loose).
Plant-based· shares 2 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
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Last updated: 2026-05-05