Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute Junmai Muroka Namagenshu 2020 Vintage (純米無濾過生原酒）

Who is Noguchi Naohiko, and why is the brewery called a kenkyujyo (研究所), which means "laboratory" or "institute"? Noguchi Naohiko is a toji, or master sake brewer, from the noto (能登） school. Noto toji is a school of sake-making that originated on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, one of many schools of toji that … Continue reading Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute Junmai Muroka Namagenshu 2020 Vintage (純米無濾過生原酒） →

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire”: Dabada Hiburi (ダバダ火振） Chestnut Shochu

We at drinkingjapan.org fully understand that chestnuts are not a symbol of spring and that it would be seasonally inappropriate to sing this song in April. However, we are passionate about chestnuts and would like to take this opportunity to introduce a wonderful and somewhat rare type of shochu made with the Japanese chestnut, kuri … Continue reading “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire”: Dabada Hiburi (ダバダ火振） Chestnut Shochu →

Perfect for Breakfast? Yogurt Liqueur from Asama Farm (浅間のヨーグルト酒)

Moo-ve over, eggnog: there’s a new milk-based alcoholic beverage in town! Kusatsu onsen is considered one of Japan’s top three hot springs. Even if you have never visited this place, you have likely seen images like this: Yubatake Or this: Netsunoyu When driving to Kusatsu from Tokyo, you can drive past the Asamashuzo Tourism Center … Continue reading Perfect for Breakfast? Yogurt Liqueur from Asama Farm (浅間のヨーグルト酒) →

Tickled Pink: Atagonomatsu Harukoi Junmai Ginjo (あたごのまつ はるこい 純米吟醸)

As winter fades into spring, one can enjoy the various expressions of the color pink, starting with plum blossoms, which are often darker, and later cherry blossoms, or sakura. As sakura blossoms are in bloom for a very short time, they are a symbol of mortality and rebirth--the ephemeral nature of existence given a positive … Continue reading Tickled Pink: Atagonomatsu Harukoi Junmai Ginjo (あたごのまつ はるこい 純米吟醸) →

Bijofu Uchushinkaishu Junmai Ginjo (美丈夫　宇宙深海酒　純米吟醸): It Went Up and It Went Down and Should Be Drunk All Around

Davy Jones' Locker, John Tenniel This week we soar into the firmament and then plunge into the deep to snatch this drink from Davy Jones’s Locker, but first a little history. In the heady days that were 1969 one of us was in a rather famous bar in a large city on the night of … Continue reading Bijofu Uchushinkaishu Junmai Ginjo (美丈夫　宇宙深海酒　純米吟醸): It Went Up and It Went Down and Should Be Drunk All Around →