shochu.pro

Shochu and awamori information portal for beverage alcohol trade professionals.

  • About Us
  • News
  • Events
  • Get “The Shochu Handbook!”
You are here: Home / News / Dancyu September Edition Features Shochu

Dancyu September Edition Features Shochu

August 6, 2016 by Christopher Pellegrini Leave a Comment

焼酎が来るぞ。
焼酎が来るぞ。

The September 2016 edition of “dancyu” trains its brilliant culinary focus on shochu, and it’s on newsstands now!

The Japanese language magazine is an excellent introduction to the spirit for novices but has enough nerdy tidbits about everything from the history of the drink’s development to detailed explanations about koji and how it’s made.

One of the most interesting parts of the 176-page publication is the write-up about four young guns guiding the industry in new directions.

Kuroki Honten and Osuzuyama Distilleries’ Shinsaku Kuroki is profiled first, billed as the “銘醸蔵の‘プリンス,” or “Famous Distillery’s Prince.” You may be familiar with such brands as the barrel-aged barley beauty, Hyakunen no Kodoku, or the balanced sweet potato Yamaneko (featured on page 103 of “The Shochu Handbook“).

In a bit of fortuitous timing, Kuroki uses his two pages to partially introduce a new 14% ABV sweet potato drink called “Q” which will debut one month from today.

Next up is Yamato Zakura’s Tekkan Wakamatsu, the “焼酎スタイルメーカー” (Shochu Style Maker). The featured bottle on page 18 is the distillery’s namesake, Yamato Zakura, a lovely sweet potato shochu that is still difficult to find in Tokyo.

Yanagita Distillery’s Tadashi Yanagita, the oldest representative profiled at 43, is touted as “焼酎業界のエジソン,” or the “Shochu Industry’s Edison.” The Miyazaki Prefecture distillery’s two famous barley brands, Akakage and Aokage are described on page 20.

Last but not least is the perennially well-dressed Isekichi Komaki, third master distiller at Komaki Distillery. He’s labeled “薩摩のやんちゃ杜氏” (Satsuma’s Naughty Master Distiller). He brought two lovely and complex sweet potato shochu to display, Isshou Silver and Isshou Bronze.

There are several added bonuses such as a section on the dancyu staff’s top picks for which shochu brands pair best with soda water, and another that’s entirely about everybody’s favorite izakaya treat, gyoza.

This edition is currently a number one seller on Amazon, so grab your 880 yen copy while supplies last.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: dancyu, honkaku shochu, Komaki Distillery, Kuroki Honten, Osuzuyama Distillery, shochu, Yamato Zakura Distillery, Yanagita Distillery

About Christopher Pellegrini

Christopher Pellegrini, author of The Shochu Handbook, happened upon shochu more than a decade ago, and his curiosity was piqued by the dearth of published information about it. Many years of distillery visits, palate refining, and test taking later, he became one of the few Certified Shochu Sommelier (SSI) to be born outside of Japan. He now spends his time conducting shochu and awamori tastings, writing for various food and drink publications, and consulting restaurants, bars, and distributors on how to bring these drinks into the fold.
A native of Vermont, Christopher was an accomplished pole vaulter and spent several years working for Otter Creek Brewing where he eventually inhabited the night brewing shift. Little did he know that his experience making good beer would lead him to a career in another high quality drink thousands of miles away. After a year in Spain and two in South Korea, Christopher moved to Tokyo, Japan in 2002, where a distinct lack of craft beer sent him straight into shochu's open arms.
He has since found a home talking about Japanese food and drinks for an international audience. He is the host of Japan Booze Blind and Ishokudogen, two web series that cater to Japan's culinary fans around the world. Christopher holds an MA in language education from University College London's Institute of Education, and is the English translator of the survival Japanese textbook Konnichiwa, Nihongo! He has also been published in print and online outlets such as Koe and Global Insider.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Connect with:
Facebook Google Twitter Yahoo! LinkedIn Disqus Instagram

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Glossary of Shochu & Awamori Terms

Detailed definitions of the most important shochu and awamori-related terms.

Recent News

  • List of Amami Kokuto Shochu Distilleries
  • Torrential Rain Causes Extensive Flooding in Kyushu
  • 2019 New Korui and Konwa Shochu Releases
  • 2019 Sales Data: Industry Decline Continues
  • Taikai Shuzo: Sweet Potato Shochu from the Heart of Osumi
  • Awamori & Shochu Glossary: Essential Vocabulary
  • Personal Update: Import/Export
  • 2019年5月
  • Shimazake Festa 2019: Japan's Premier Awamori Event

Forum Login

Log In
Connect with:
Facebook Google Twitter Yahoo! LinkedIn Disqus Instagram
Register Lost Password

Social Networking Sites

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

More Shochu & Awamori

Visit the Kanpai.us website
Buy "The Complete Guide to Japanese Drinks" by Stephen Lyman and Chris Bunting

© Copyright 2016 shochu.pro · All Rights Reserved ·