We do not know whether Ian Fleming, the creator of the James Bond series of novels, was revealing any skeletons in British intelligence’s closet with his protagonist’s aversion to stirring (“Shaken not stirred.”), but we have always appreciated the utility of both of these manual maneuvers. We witnessed some of both on June 28, 2023, at a media event held at the Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center. The occasion was meant to showcase the potential for shochu cocktails. The master mixer who moved things forward on the hot night was Mr. Soran Nomura.
One of us here at drinkingjapan.org has noted on numerous occasions that shochu has a bright future overseas, if only foreign drinkers were made familiar with this interesting and often complex beverage, which is stronger and usually has a different flavor profile from Japan’s iconic nihonshu. Steps are being taken along those lines, to be sure. The Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association and assorted shochu evangelists are doing their part, and we are convinced that they will succeed. One more obstacle may remain, however, but as we will illustrate below, a giant step was taken to dismantle that barrier on the night of the twenty-eighth.
Many first-time shochu drinkers may find the taste of barley-based shochu familiar, because it shares certain characteristics with whisky. Similarly, those who appreciate nihonshu will most likely discern a flavor profile in rice-based shochu that has a modicum of “riceyness” to it. Tyros with a sweet-potato-based shochu (imo shochu) may find the complex and heavy flavor to be far different from that of other alcoholic beverages with which they are familiar. The novice may need a bridge to facilitate his entrée into the realm of imo. Enter Nomura-san and his cocktails. Two were showcased that night—the Odyssey One and the Imo Old Fashioned. Rather than present the reader with our usual array of tasting notes, we will simply say that both are HIGHLY APPEALING and include the recipes below with an exhortation to TRY THEM NOW!
Drinking Japan 