"Fluffy Kagetsu Shiso Lemon" Mr. Ishihara was moved to tears by its deliciousness!?

Suntory Spirits launched its shochu-based drink "Fluffy Kagetsu Shiso Lemon" on February 24th, holding a press conference for its new TV commercial the previous day, the 23rd, at the Hilton Tokyo in Shinjuku.

The "Fluffy Kagetsu" series has expanded its lineup since its 2013 launch, with "Shiso Lemon" becoming the fifth product in the series.

At the start, President Atsushi Koizumi stated, "Sales of RTS (Ready To Serve: beverages that can be enjoyed as cocktails simply by pouring into a glass) are strong, with Fuwari Kagetsu reaching 1.58 million cases last fiscal year. We aim to capture male users with this product and achieve 114% year-on-year sales growth this fiscal year." He also announced the broadcast of the new TV commercial and the opening of a limited-time bar in Tokyo and Osaka called "Fuwari Kagetsu Shiso Lemon: Drink and Be Surprised! Fuwari BAR."

The "Fateful Encounter" edition, airing from the 24th, was screened at the venue. Actress Satomi Ishihara, who appears in the commercial, made an appearance wearing an outfit matching the colors of shiso and lemon.

The commercial depicts Ishihara drinking the product while speaking to her imagined lover. It likens the perfect pairing of shiso and lemon to her own meeting with her lover. The result is a warm and heartfelt piece, as if Ishihara is speaking directly to the viewer.

After sampling Shiso Lemon, Ishihara commented, "It's subtly sweet with a refreshing taste that pairs well with meals. I'd love to drink it during cherry blossom viewing this season." On stage, a sketch of Ishihara's "surprised face" – drawn as she teared up over Kagetsu's deliciousness – was introduced. Ishihara added "Fateful Encounter" in the margin.

The special "Fluffy BAR" corner featured a "Portrait Campaign," where participants could win a photo of their "surprised face" while drinking Kagetsu. Professional artists then created portraits based on these photos, which were showcased on a special website.

Kagetsu Website: http://www.suntory.co.jp/sho-chu/kyougetsu/index.html