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