Mac, while working in Fujiyoshida in the mid80s an Engineer introduced me to huge (20 oz) mugs of shochu and oolangcha on ice. He said it had "negative calories" so the more you drink, the more you lose weight. Delicious and cooling. Then around 2000 would visit plants down around Kokubu and they bragged about their sweet potato shochu. Very tasty neat.
Excellent intro to Shochu! I have to say I wasn’t a fan until imbibing some of Chris’s superb recommendations (which I’ve totally forgotten the names of, funnily enough) at the Yoyogi Park “Hanami” this March. What an excellent event all round and Chris’s knowledge and enthusiasm for the tipple is extraordinary! Now this into from Mac brings a closer understanding and willingness to find some gems out there. Once opened, does it keep well? And the cask aging Shochu sounds incredibly promising. Where can we all pick up more information (in English preferably)? Keep the great content coming!
More Mac?! Marvellous! New intro, and format too - enjoying the mix up and definitely getting the John Oliver vibes - though I think I prefer your delivery haha. Plus definitely more efficient to create this style of content than on location somewhere (granted I LOVE the cinematic and picturesque vibes we get from that style). I’m honestly amazed at how many base ingredients shochu can be made from. Whey protein?! Sign me up 😂 💪 Also it never clicked that there was shochu and soju - those crafty Koreans haha! Disappointing that exporting it is so expensive - definitely makes getting more international recognition difficult, granted it’s obviously doing very strongly right at home in Japan. Will be interesting to see what the aged line up is like once released. All in all an informative and entertaining video as always Mac! Can’t wait for the next one.
Hey! Thanks a million for watching the video and taking the time to leave such a wonderful comment. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the change in style for this one. Don't worry, the on-location adventures across Japan will keep coming! It's always a joy to hear that these videos are not only entertaining but also informative. Shedding light on the differences with Soju is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to exploring the fascinating world of Shochu. Thanks again for your unwavering support and kind words. It means the world to me. Stay tuned for more content coming your way soon.
Great video Mac, it's good to know the difference between Soju and Shochu, which I didn't before this video 😃 Unfortunately I can't find any Shochu in my market currently so I have not tried it before but I'm on the look out now. Kanpai!
Wonderful video, Mac! Super informative. In the state, aged shochu is slowly on the rise. I was able to purchase some Fukano 12yr single cask aged shochu. It's a really nice twist on this delightful drink. Hope to see more videos from you soon!
Hopefully a new video should be coming your way in within the next three weeks. In the meantime, please enjoy the now extensive back catalog which past Mac slaved over. Kanpai! 🥃🥃🥃
Great Masterclass, Mac (a true one, unlike some pretending to do so on youtube, about several spirits) of someone who has put his hand to the paw to discover what exactly it is about ! 🏆👌
Great video! I much prefer shochu over sake myself and have wondered why it is not more popular in overseas markets since it is much easier to drink on its own than sake that really should be paired with Japanese food IMO.
It's a shame the international markets have not been able to access even a decent part of the incredible range of craft shochu we have in Japan. Luckily things are changing!
Although still there are some roadblocks to spread the attraction of Honkaku Shochu globally but thanks to the contribution of many stakeholders now I think the name of ''Shochu' seems popular for the last few years. Hope it becomes one of the standard Japanese drinks like Sake near future!
There’s nothing quite like drinking Korean Soju from an unlicensed vendor, under his makeshift orange tarp on the side of the road, at 2 am, but I digress…
Not only are sake breweries opening up worldwide but also Japanese beer brands, like Sapporo. There's one here in Canada but I find it to be dull. Probably because it uses ingredients from Canada (land of the Molson). Maybe if I visit Sapporo I'll go to the factor to get a taste of the original. Would also like to try Shochu if given the chance.
Anything Honkaku Spirits bring over to the US is top notch. Check out their website. Start with the Mugi and Kokuto offerings. BTW, these are the guys bringing Takamine Whiskey to America (previously reviewed on Kanpai Planet).
They’re both Takara brands. Probably the Beni. If you live in a state Honkaku Spirits deliver to, you can order directly from their website and get free shipping (limited time offer, even on one bottle). www.shop.honkakuspirits.com/
Thank you for making these videos. As a guy in Canada fascinated by global spirits this stuff is super helpful.
Glad you liked it! Please consider supporting Kanpai Planet at buymeacoff.ee/kanpaiplanet
Always nice to see a video drop from you. Now I have this urge to taste it.
I do hope you get to explore shochu one day. It is a versatile drink which I'm sure would be of interest to discerning tipplers like yourself
@@KanpaiPlanet 🫡🥃🥃
Brilliant.. Mac! Best yet.
Thank you Stephen! 🥃🥃🥃
Mac, while working in Fujiyoshida in the mid80s an Engineer introduced me to huge (20 oz) mugs of shochu and oolangcha on ice. He said it had "negative calories" so the more you drink, the more you lose weight. Delicious and cooling. Then around 2000 would visit plants down around Kokubu and they bragged about their sweet potato shochu. Very tasty neat.
Thanks for sharing these OG Shochu Adventures! Kanpai!
Excellent intro to Shochu! I have to say I wasn’t a fan until imbibing some of Chris’s superb recommendations (which I’ve totally forgotten the names of, funnily enough) at the Yoyogi Park “Hanami” this March.
What an excellent event all round and Chris’s knowledge and enthusiasm for the tipple is extraordinary!
Now this into from Mac brings a closer understanding and willingness to find some gems out there.
Once opened, does it keep well? And the cask aging Shochu sounds incredibly promising.
Where can we all pick up more information (in English preferably)?
Keep the great content coming!
Cheers Jules. Shochu does keep well post opening. The Shochu Handbook by Christopher Pellegrini himself is a great start for more info!
More Mac?! Marvellous! New intro, and format too - enjoying the mix up and definitely getting the John Oliver vibes - though I think I prefer your delivery haha. Plus definitely more efficient to create this style of content than on location somewhere (granted I LOVE the cinematic and picturesque vibes we get from that style).
I’m honestly amazed at how many base ingredients shochu can be made from. Whey protein?! Sign me up 😂 💪
Also it never clicked that there was shochu and soju - those crafty Koreans haha! Disappointing that exporting it is so expensive - definitely makes getting more international recognition difficult, granted it’s obviously doing very strongly right at home in Japan.
Will be interesting to see what the aged line up is like once released.
All in all an informative and entertaining video as always Mac! Can’t wait for the next one.
Hey! Thanks a million for watching the video and taking the time to leave such a wonderful comment. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the change in style for this one. Don't worry, the on-location adventures across Japan will keep coming!
It's always a joy to hear that these videos are not only entertaining but also informative. Shedding light on the differences with Soju is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to exploring the fascinating world of Shochu.
Thanks again for your unwavering support and kind words. It means the world to me. Stay tuned for more content coming your way soon.
Very insightful and a few LOL 's: Mak is back! All caught up now, finally! Cheers, I mean: Kanpai
Thanks Menno! As always, that means a lot coming from a legend like you! Glad to hear you're back on the Kanpai track!
Great video Mac, it's good to know the difference between Soju and Shochu, which I didn't before this video 😃 Unfortunately I can't find any Shochu in my market currently so I have not tried it before but I'm on the look out now. Kanpai!
Good luck! Hopefully you'll find some soon. Or come to Japan, film some content with me and enjoy it to your heart's content!
@@KanpaiPlanet Japan is at the top of my list to visit and what an offer cheers Mac!
Looking forward to it already! Kanpai!
Good stuff, Mac. Many thanks...
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wonderful video, Mac! Super informative. In the state, aged shochu is slowly on the rise. I was able to purchase some Fukano 12yr single cask aged shochu. It's a really nice twist on this delightful drink. Hope to see more videos from you soon!
Hopefully a new video should be coming your way in within the next three weeks. In the meantime, please enjoy the now extensive back catalog which past Mac slaved over. Kanpai! 🥃🥃🥃
Great Masterclass, Mac (a true one, unlike some pretending to do so on youtube, about several spirits) of someone who has put his hand to the paw to discover what exactly it is about ! 🏆👌
That always means it all coming from a drinks expert like you Greg. Glad you enjoyed the video. Kanpai!
@@KanpaiPlanet Thanks, I'm not an expert of Shochu but I know one (& certified) who is French (Alexandre Vingtier) 😉
Great video and educator!
Glad you enjoyed it! Please consider supporting Kanpai Planet at buymeacoffee.com/kanpaiplanet
Another amazing vid, John, I mean Mac!
Thank you! Are you interested in more videos in this format?
@@KanpaiPlanet Absolutely!
🥃🥃🥃
Great video! I much prefer shochu over sake myself and have wondered why it is not more popular in overseas markets since it is much easier to drink on its own than sake that really should be paired with Japanese food IMO.
It's a shame the international markets have not been able to access even a decent part of the incredible range of craft shochu we have in Japan. Luckily things are changing!
Great overview of something I had no familiarity with, Mac! Made even better by the fun and perfectly executed use of the LWT format. Cheers!
Thank you! This video was A LOT of work. Thanks for commenting!
Great video Mac. I didn't know there were so many possible bases. Looking forward to finding some cactus shochu!
We'll hunt some down next time you're here! Kanpai!
Although still there are some roadblocks to spread the attraction of Honkaku Shochu globally but thanks to the contribution of many stakeholders now I think the name of ''Shochu' seems popular for the last few years. Hope it becomes one of the standard Japanese drinks like Sake near future!
Slowly but surely for shochu worldwide! Thank you for your insightful comment Kentaro. We continue... and Kanpai!
There’s nothing quite like drinking Korean Soju from an unlicensed vendor, under his makeshift orange tarp on the side of the road, at 2 am, but I digress…
Cannot agree more!
Not only are sake breweries opening up worldwide but also Japanese beer brands, like Sapporo. There's one here in Canada but I find it to be dull. Probably because it uses ingredients from Canada (land of the Molson). Maybe if I visit Sapporo I'll go to the factor to get a taste of the original. Would also like to try Shochu if given the chance.
Japan's drinks brands are everywhere now! Hope you get a chance to try shochu soon!
Love the format! Watch out J*hn Ol’!ver. Two elegant, charming, self-deprecating, glasses wearing, English ex-pats. 😂😂😂
For years my tour guests have been saying I remind them of John Oliver so I thought I would lean into it!
Thanks for enlightening me that Shochu =/= Soju. Guess a good place to start for a whisky drinker is Mellowed Kozuru?
That would be one, especially if you like the Kanosuke profile. Also, check out Mugi Shochu - barley shochu - for obvious reasons!
Interesting and informative as usual
Thanks for sharing Mac.
Slàinte mhath / Kanpai
Thank you for your continuous support!
What Shochu brands in the US we should try ? Thank you for a great video!
Anything Honkaku Spirits bring over to the US is top notch. Check out their website. Start with the Mugi and Kokuto offerings.
BTW, these are the guys bringing Takamine Whiskey to America (previously reviewed on Kanpai Planet).
@@KanpaiPlanet thank you very much for information. Will do.
@@KanpaiPlanet locally I can only found right now Bennikko and Ikkomon, if you have to choose which one would you pick? Thank you
They’re both Takara brands. Probably the Beni.
If you live in a state Honkaku Spirits deliver to, you can order directly from their website and get free shipping (limited time offer, even on one bottle).
www.shop.honkakuspirits.com/
@@KanpaiPlanet thank you very much
Noticed you did not open a can of worms by including "whisky" in your "what shochu is not" section 😅
That's a whole other video... or five!
People don't hear about because it tastes bad IMO. Never liked and don't know anyone who does.
Each to their own!