Four Guys, One Cup - a podcast by Joe

In this week's episode, we chat to shochu experts Stephen Lyman and Christopher Pellegrini. We don’t use the word ‘experts’ lightly; these guys really know their stuff. We discussed the basics, starting from what shochu is and how it is different to sake and awamori, as well as how it is similar to other beverages the average imbiber might recognize.  We go deeper into the processes and ingredients involved in making this ubiquitous yet mysterious drink. We quiz the guys on their knowledge of shochu (among others) breweries across Japan. Stephen and Christopher rate the purchases we made, and Joe does a quick live shochu tasting, which he is qualified to do having wasted his first year of university smelling and drinking free wine. Of course we dip our noses into the guys’ areas, and they regale us with some of their cultural miscommunications. Never dry, always sweet, and oh so tasty, this is not an episode to miss for anyone familiar with the inside of an izakaya. Best taken with ice.

Listen to their podcast: Japan Distilled

Follow them on Twitter: @JapanDistilled 

Stephen: @shochu_danji

Christopher: @ChrisPellegrini

Look at their website: www.kanpai.us 

Buy their books dammit! 

Stephen: The Complete Guide to Japanese Drinks https://www.tuttlepublishing.com/japan/the-complete-guide-to-japanese-drinks

Christopher: The Shochu Handbook

https://shochu.pro/the-shochu-handbook-by-christopher-pellegrini/ 

Further episodes of Ishikawa: Summit to Sea

Further podcasts by Joe

Website of Joe