Shochu...
 

Ok, the thread about the visiting nana-dan got me thinking ahead a little to where I'll be seeing a sensei of mine in a little while. I'd know he's a drinker of shochu and would like to get him a nice bottle (read: something someone steeped in shochu lore would appreciate). Unfortunately, I know next to nothing on the subject other than I actually don't mind the taste. That said, I know more kendo that I do shochu (which isn't that much).

Are there any shochu connisseurs out there that can offer me a little advice on the topic? I'm in Idaho, so I'll have to order online unless I make a special trip into Seattle (which I might be willing to do).

Many thanks in advance!

How "nice" are you talking ($)? You couldn't go far wrong with a bottle of hyakunen no kodoku (One Hundred Years of Solitude), and not just because it's named after a fine novel. But it doesn't come cheap. Haven't checked the price recently.

The recommendation is perfect. As to how 'nice' - the money is a lesser concern as opposed to not wanting to insult my sensei. Fortunately, I've started a job that pays well and I've got some time to stash a little here and there if necessary.

I am curious to know of a place I can go to start learning how to distinguish between the 'well' and the 'upsell' versions. Plus, a link to a seller or something would be great in a PM. Any and all info is greatly appreciated! Thank you already!

Shouchu.
Might as well drink Gasoline.

Any man worth his salt knows that Nigorizake is king of all imbibements.

heh - you tell that to my sensei...

Weeellll then. For those for whom Money Is No Object, I give you The 1926 Macallan. Two (2) please.

*chokes*

never said money was no object... just that i wasn't going to be stingy....

Shochu, now there's a topic close to my heart.

There are many different kinds. Most of the rubbish out there is mugijochu, or shochu made from barley (e.g. Traingle SHochu). There's also sobajochu made from buckwheat and a very tasty shochu from Amami Oshima (island south of Kyushu) made from sugar cane. The Koreans make a nasty sweet version called soju. A lot of these are available in Aus, so you should be able to find them in the US.

But the best is imojochu, made from roasted sweet potatoes. This is the specialty of Kagoshima and southern Kyushu. Unfortunately it's almost impossible to get outside Japan. (I'm sure ZealUK can wax lyrical about it).

So, the short answer is find out which kind of shochu your visitor prefers. Most likely it will be the shochu native to his hometown in Japan. Although giving a present of something he can't drink at home might be more memorable.

b

Based on the information you've given, discussions we've had on the topic, and shouchu we've had, it's definitely the latter. (Yes, he pointed out that I was moving to the Potato State and that the shouchu on the table was made from sweet potatoes).

So, the question becomes - now that it's narrowed down, any ideas as to where can I go to find the right bottle? Let's complicate the task even further - reading online order forms in Japanese would be a disaster waiting to happen.

One man's meat is another man's Poison.

Plus I think you got it wrong. Shochu or the original form arrived from the mainland to Japan from Korea.

I'm a pretty frequent drinker of imojochu. I occasionally have a bit of the koktou stuff from Amami, but I prefer the imo variety.

We usually drink kuro or shiranami at home because its pretty cheap and tasty. Usually oyuwari (hot water) in winter and mizuwari (cold water and ice) or rokku (just ice) in summer.

I'd personally recommend mao (魔王) as a good brand of imojochu for a gift. There are several varieties that vary in price, and I guess it will be a lot more expensive outside Kagoshima.

We were laughing a people in Tokyo drinking overpriced shochu like its wine or something the other day. My mate said we knock it back like tea down here!

There's also some novel "samurai" themed shochu - Saigo Don, Yakumaru Jigen Ryu, Sakamoto Ryoma, etc. Never tried those though - more for tourists I suspect.

You can buy it often times in local japanese grocery stores. I don't know if there are any near you but if you can get to Seattle I am sure they have some. I know Nijiya grocer in San Fran has it (as well as some of the other japanese grocers in the greater San Fran area) and and I am pretty sure Toyo Shokuhin here in the RTP (NC) area has it. I have heard that Shochu has been outselling sake in Japan recently. Usually it's not terribly expensive (ie less than $50 per bottle, some as cheap as 10-15). Probably best to take someone that is knowledgable with you if you can or maybe call ahead of time to know what they have.

Individual tastes will differ...right now I'm working my way through a very nice barley shochu called Kohaku no Yume (amber dreams) which has an amber color and a very smooth and balanced flavor. Nowadays, a lot of better liquor stores may likely have a decent selection of shochu, and it's not difficult to pick out the better quality ones. Keeping in mind what Ben said about the differences in type (barley, potato, etc.) you'll be able to make a good selection by comparing labels and price.

Maybe sometime someone up there in Idaho should try a potato shochu distillery!

I like Den'en, as well as Kuro, Shiranami and Kojika: all imojochu from Kagoshima and all the daily drinkin' varieties.

My faves though are the high octane versions, like Kuro 37 (twice the strength of normal shochu) and Satsuma Muso (also pretty strong). These are good for sippin' like whisky.

Apologies to Mr Noh, I was being a bit cheeky. It just comes down to what you're used to. I'm sure there are lots of nice Korean soju, with a variety of flavours and styles. My trip to Seoul was dominated by the one, ubiquitous brand that gave nasty hangovers.

b

Yikes, just looked up the Solitude and it's even more than I thought. I will agree with Zeal though, potato stuff is way nicer than the other varieties (the fact that I recommended a wheat is just the exception that proves the rule). Time to make ice!

The only thing I can say about shoochu is that I loved it untill the point I can remember.

Well if you want to buy from Japan you could check out this page

https://shop.yamakataya.co.jp/app/category/ctc/463

Shochu....

Antinectar.

Thanks for the link Alex. Unfortunately, even though it gives "kokugai" as an option for location, it can't handle my address. Still, I could try emailing them direct.

b

If anybody asks, I'm british http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/wink.gif