Empirical SOKA is a sorghum spirit blending distillates of fermented fresh sorghum juice and syrup — the fresh juice lending springy green melon, cucumber, and green apple, the syrup bringing darker harvest notes of hay and toasted honey. 43% ABV.

SOKA is built around sorghum, one of the world's most-produced cereal crops. Empirical fermented sorghum syrup and fresh European cane juice with Thai Rice Chong yeast, producing aromas of fresh-cut grass, green apple, and barnyard. Using a dunder-style method inspired by Jamaican distilleries, the leftover wash from the juice distillation ferments the syrup, concentrating esters and adding fermented-grass and briny notes. Vacuum distillation preserves the delicate esters; the syrup (50%) and fermented juice (50%) cuts are then blended into the final spirit.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Fresh-cut grass and green apple
• Palate: Springy green melon, cucumber, and green apple with hay and toasted honey
• Finish: Silage and a touch of brininess

Specs

• Producer: Empirical
• Style: Sorghum spirit (fermented juice + syrup)
• Ingredients: Sorghum cane, Thai Rice Chong yeast
• ABV: 43%
• Size: 500ml

Browse all gin and spirits at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Empirical SOKA made from?

It blends distillates of fermented fresh sorghum juice and sorghum syrup, fermented with Thai Rice Chong yeast and vacuum-distilled to preserve delicate esters.

What does it taste like?

Fresh-cut grass, green apple, melon, and cucumber from the juice, with darker hay and toasted-honey notes and a touch of brininess from the syrup.

How should I serve it?

Enjoy neat, with cola, or as a twist on a Mojito.