Yatai Mura

Day 12: Welcome Home to Kagoshima

October 18, 2013 by Stephen Leave a Comment

Last year when visiting Kyushu, I was amazed at how Kagoshima felt like home. Not only was it humid like Florida, where I grew up, but the people were warmer and friendlier than anywhere else I've visited in Japan. Since leaving last July I've been determined to come back.

Kagoshima – A Shochu Lover’s Dream

July 12, 2012 by Stephen 2 Comments

My trip has been much more packed with activities than I imagined and I've meet some remarkable people who I'd like to spend more time with. I'll write about my great experiences in Fukuoka soon, but I wanted to start with Kagoshima. Seikai Ishizuka, the shochu tasting contest champion, has been an amazing friend and translator to me on this trip. Yesterday we moved from Fukuoka to Kagoshima, the home of imo (sweet potato) shochu.

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.

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 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.

Mizu Lemongrass Shochu

Mizu Lemongrass Shochu may not be an authentic honkaku shochu due to the use of lemongrass, but this is a case where a beautiful spirit breaks the rules.