INTRO
In episode 72 our hosts reflect on a massive increase in awareness for shochu in awamori overseas and wonder about what 2024 has in store.
CREDITS
Theme Song: Begin Anywhere by Tomoko Miyata (http://tomokomiyata.net/)
Mixing and Editing: Rich Pav (https://www.uncannyrobotpodcast.com/)
HOSTS
CHRISTOPHER PELLEGRINI Vermont born and bred, long-time Tokyo resident and author of The Shochu Handbook, Christopher learned about delicious fermentations as a beer brewer at Otter Creek (Middlebury, VT). He now spends most of his waking hours convincing strangers that shochu and awamori are unlike anything they’ve ever tried before.
STEPHEN LYMAN discovered Japan’s indigenous spirits at an izakaya in New York City. He was so enthralled that he now lives in Japan and works in a tiny craft shochu distillery every autumn. His first book, The Complete Guide to Japanese Drinks, was nominated for a 2020 James Beard Award.
Stephen and Christopher are absolutely fanatic for these koji-based spirits form Japan and its so rewarding to finally see growth in the categories overseas. Let’s keep this going!
If you have any comments or questions about this episode, please reach out to Stephen or Christopher via Instgram. We would love to hear from you.
SHOW NOTES
Wall Street Journal Magazine on Kysuhu Artisans
This piece by Tom Downey in Wall Street Journal is behind the paywall, but is an absolute masterpiece if you have an account.
2023 Reflections
Tales of the Cocktail, G7 Summit, Ritz Carlton, Jose Andres, New York State law change. This was a year of incredible growth in awareness of shcohu and awamori as categories in the United States and elsewhere.
Shochu Trends 2024!
The 2024 JSS Shochu Cocktail Competition is going in full force. Stephen and Christopher will keep doing everything we can to keep this thing growing. Please do your part as well.
Much More to Explore
As always, there is more to learn from listening to the episode or following Stephen and Christopher social media.
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