Ryukyu Awamori Kariyushi Koshu

From the Shinzato Shuzo Distillery in Okinawa. Aged 7 years, 35% abv. Poured neat, at room temperature. Aromatic, yet restrained. Sweet grains and grasses, smells like good springwater tastes...hard to explain... it gets into your head... hint of rice sweetness, and still, as last night, a touch melon. On the palate, so smooth, simply incredible balance. A really deft combination of minerals, sweet springwater, aromatic milled wood. I wouldn't call it mouth-coating, maybe 60%... medium- body, delicate, light, refreshing...this stuff is mental. Oh. My.

Here's a short video interview with a brewer who ages Awamori under the floorboards of his home. The narration is goofy, and unfortunately the translation/subtitling is spotty and you miss out on some little quips, but suffice it to say, Nakamura-sama is legend. I would love to drink with this guy!

Nakamura-sama explains all From the Shinzato Shuzo Distillery in Okinawa. Aged 7 years, 35% abv. Poured neat, at room temperature. Aromatic, yet restrained. Sweet grains and grasses, smells like good springwater tastes...hard to explain... it gets into your head... hint of rice sweetness, and still, as last night, a touch melon. On the palate, so smooth, simply incredible balance. A really deft combination of minerals, sweet springwater, aromatic milled wood. I wouldn't call it mouth-coating, maybe 60%... medium- body, delicate, light, refreshing...this stuff is mental. Oh. My.<br /><br />Here's a short video interview with a brewer who ages Awamori under the floorboards of his home. The narration is goofy, and unfortunately the translation/subtitling is spotty and you miss out on some little quips, but suffice it to say, Nakamura-sama is legend. I would love to drink with this guy!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wonder-okinawa.jp/027/eng/media/lm_012e.wvx" target="_blank">Nakamura-sama explains all</a>

Man Full of Trouble Porter

From the Dock Street Brewery in Philadelphia. Great pizzeria too, and takeaway beer by the growler. Tonight's selection was apparently named after one of Colonial Philadelphia's first taverns. Brown porter, rich and creamy, dark chocolate, coffee, nutty bitterness... surprisingly light on the finish but the lovely bitterness persists. A joy to drink on this cold, wet, half snowy night. 6% a.b.v., 27 IBU's only. I'd also recommend Prince Myshkin's Russian Imperial Stout... yum! <img alt="growler" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/IMGP1502.jpg" width="400"><br />From the Dock Street Brewery in Philadelphia. Great pizzeria too, and takeaway beer by the growler. Tonight's selection was apparently named after one of Colonial Philadelphia's first taverns. Brown porter, rich and creamy, dark chocolate, coffee, nutty bitterness... surprisingly light on the finish but the lovely bitterness persists. A joy to drink on this cold, wet, half snowy night. 6% a.b.v., 27 IBU's only. I'd also recommend Prince Myshkin's Russian Imperial Stout... yum!

Nobu Junmai Daiginjo

Made for Nobu by the Hokusetsu Shuzo, 15.5% abv. Very yellow in colour, made me think that this isshobin (1.8L bottle) might have been sitting around for a while very yellow, but no, the dating suggests otherwise.

Esterised nose (overripe bananas) dominates. Sweet front end, nutty and earthy, a touch of citrus on the finish. Really wasn't feeling this sake, especially not for the price this commands (the 500ml goes for about $50, not sure the isshobin is available in retail). Made for Nobu by the Hokusetsu Shuzo, 15.5% abv. Very yellow in colour, made me think that this <i>isshobin</i> (1.8L bottle) might have been sitting around for a while very yellow, but no, the dating suggests otherwise.<br /><br />Esterised nose (overripe bananas) dominates. Sweet front end, nutty and earthy, a touch of citrus on the finish. Really wasn't feeling this sake, especially not for the price this commands (the 500ml goes for about $50, not sure the <i>isshobin</i> is available in retail).