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Shochu Misc.

From Angel’s Share to Speak Low to The SG Shochu

August 24, 2020 by Stephen Leave a Comment

From Angel’s Share to Speak Low to The SG ShochuThe brilliance of The SG Shochu line is not just their high proof, but that in just 3 products they manage to express the diversity of the shochu category.

Filed Under: Shochu, Shochu Misc. Tagged With: Joshin Atone, Shingo Gokan, The SG Shochu

The History of Japanese Shochu

August 13, 2020 by Maya Aley 2 Comments

The History of Japanese ShochuWhile the origins of distillation in Japan remain shrouded in speculation, there is much that we do know about the history of Japanese shochu.

Filed Under: Shochu, Shochu Misc. Tagged With: distillation, history, Ryukyu, Satsuma, shochu

Disaster Relief for Kyushu Floods

July 11, 2020 by Stephen Leave a Comment

Disaster Relief for Kyushu FloodsThe floods in the Hitoyoshi region are believed to have killed more than 50 people and damaged or destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. This is deeply personal to us a www.kanpai.us since we count several Hitoyoshi shochu makers as our friends. The damage has spread further over the past week as Kyushu floods continue around the region.

Filed Under: Shochu, Shochu Misc. Tagged With: Hitoyoshi, hitoyoshi ryokan, Kuma Shochu, Kumamoto, Kyushu, shochu

What is a Satsuma Imo?

June 12, 2020 by Maya Aley 4 Comments

What is a Satsuma Imo?Kagoshima is the southernmost of the mainland prefectures, located on the south end of Kyushu Island, and about as far as you can get from Tokyo without being in Okinawa. How did this remote place known for Satsuma Imo become so central in the shochu world? Good question. Shochu has a history of about 500 years, so let’s start in the middle.

Filed Under: Shochu, Shochu Misc. Tagged With: history, Ibusuki, imo, imo shochu, Kagoshima, Ryukyu Islands, Satsuma, shochu, sweet potato, Tanegashima

The Complete Guide to Japanese Drinks!

October 9, 2019 by Stephen Leave a Comment

The Complete Guide to Japanese Drinks!Stephen Lyman has written the Complete Guide to Japanese Drinks, which was published in October by Tuttle. Find out more abou the book, where to buy it, and most importantly, where to meet Stephen to get your own signed copy as he travels Japan and North America.

Filed Under: Events, Shochu Misc. Tagged With: Awamori, beer, book, book signing, book tour, cocktails, craft beer, craft spirits, japanese alcohol, japanese drinks, plume wine, sake, shochu, The Complete Guide to Japanese Drinks, umeshu, whiskey, whisky, wine

An Edo Time Capsule

April 2, 2018 by Stephen Leave a Comment

An Edo Time CapsuleI would not be exaggerating if I said there were chickens clucking in the yard with a 4x4 up on blocks, but this isn't the U.S., this is Japan, so instead there was a decrepit k-truck tucked under a tarp and a lithe cat warming itself in the sun. There was no activity, though I spied a middle aged man through a 2nd floor window of the old home. He quickly turned and disappeared from sight.

Filed Under: Shochu, Shochu Adventures, Shochu Misc. Tagged With: aging pots, distillation, distillery, edo era, gokuraku, hayashi, Hitoyoshi, kame, koji, kome shochu, Kuma Shochu, kuma-gun, Kumamoto, meiji era, rice shochu, shochu

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Retweet on TwitterawamoriXshochu Retweeted
ChrisPellegriniChristopher Pellegrini@ChrisPellegrini·
13 Aug

My #awamori of the day is Kamimura’s ‘Shurei,’ a 30% ABV expression that reveals a soft milky note when served mizuwari. To the right of the brand name it says ‘hojun roman’ which sorta indicates mellowness, but I think it may depend on service style. Kari-! @regista_NAGAOKA

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Shochu Reviews

iichiko Saiten

After winning some awards on the international spirits circuit (including double-gold at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition), there's ample evidence that iichiko Saiten deserves serious consideration by bartenders everywhere.

Shochu Reviews

iichiko silhouette

This iichiko silhouette is probably the most common Japanese shochu currently available in the United States. In NYC I’ve seen it in random mom & pop liquor stores as the only shochu among a shelf of sake options. It’s most commonly available in 750ml bottles, though I’ve seen other sizes in other countries. This is a great starter shochu, which is why I’ve chosen it for my first tasting note. It was my introduction to shochu back in 2008. I’d had Korean soju before, but Japanese shochu is a strikingly different (and better) experience.

Tasting Notes: Nankai

Nankai Shochu
At first whiff, Nankai smells faintly grassy, which is common in kokuto shochu owing to how kokuto sugar is made from fresh cut cane and that fresh grassiness is a sign of well made kokuto sugar. Sugar cane is, after all, a tall perennial grass. It is still pretty wild that they can capture that after fermentation and distillation.

The SG Shochu Cocktail Recipes

Bartender Shingo Gokan mixes a cocktail.
The SG Shochu brand manager, Joshin Atone, talks with Kanpai.us about shochu's versatility and potential in the cocktail. He also shares three recipes for bartenders to try.

Shochu Reviews

Tasting Notes: Lento Shochu

Lento is the top selling kokuto shochu in Japan, and it is available internationally as well. Try it on the rocks or with sparkling water for a refreshing taste of the Amami Islands. Kanpai!

Tasting Notes: The SG Shochu MUGI

The SG Shochu MUGI Label
The SG Shochu MUGI wraps several barley shochu identities into one. It's lightly barrel-aged and carries the associated sweet notes. But there's also a graininess that is revealed when the temperature of the drink drops. It's a versatile barley shochu that can be enjoyed a variety of ways.

Tasting Notes: The SG Shochu IMO

The SG Shochu IMO is a clear invitation to create the classic imo cocktail. If you get it right, it will resonate and cascade around the world until you can't not have sweet potato shochu on your menu if you consider yourself a proper drinking establishment.

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