Trends for 2009

[Jenise]

In Japan the best shochu (as they call it) is made from sweet potatoes. Shochu used to be regarded as being for less refined tastes - the beverage of choice for drunkards - but its image has been overhauled and more and more Japanese are choosing it over sake.

Here's a link to a NYT article on shochu:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/04/dining/04shoc.html

Alex, you're in China now?

Shochu used to be regarded as being for less refined tastes - the beverage of choice for drunkards - but its image has been overhauled and more and more Japanese are choosing it over sake.

Oh, dear. The Japanese equivalent of grappa! Just what I DON'T need.

-Paul W.

In Japan the best shochu (as they call it) is made from sweet potatoes. Shochu used to be regarded as being for less refined tastes - the beverage of choice for drunkards - but its image has been overhauled and more and more Japanese are choosing it over sake.

Here's a link to a NYT article on shochu:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/04/dining/04shoc.html

Alex, you're in China now?

I am posted in China though not physically there right now. I persuaded my boss to let me leave the bitter cold of Northeast China - the old Manchuria - for a few weeks back at the home office in California. I have managed to avoid Chinese wine but have downed my share of cheap Korean soju at social gatherings there.

I tried sake once. Didn't like it, never tried it again. Same with Japanese beer, vile stuff.

Robert, someone told me that you have one child! True?

True, and your point being?

I tried sake once. Didn't like it, never tried it again. Same with Japanese beer, vile stuff.

Robert, someone told me that you have one child! True?

True, and your point being?

I like a guy who can take a joke Robert!

I like a guy who can take a joke Robert!

LOL!

Do you find your co-workers have many good things to say about anything Korean? Kinda curious knowing a little of the history of the two countries.

Knowing the history between the two countries I have not brought up discussions about Korea. But, they all have said they do like korean food, its just shochu that they don't care for. From their comments it appears to be down there with Thunderbird. They have said farovable things about the quality of many Korean products; especially electronic goods and cars.

In Japan the best shochu (as they call it) is made from sweet potatoes. Shochu used to be regarded as being for less refined tastes - the beverage of choice for drunkards - but its image has been overhauled and more and more Japanese are choosing it over sake.

It also tends to be cheaper which may have some impact on the popularity. But based upon an article a month or so ago, beer is still by far the most popular alcoholic drink in Japan.

Wait until you try Japanese Scotch whiskey, Suntory by name. That will take the chrome off your bumper hitch.

I went to highschool in Japan during my senior year, and we drank the stuff every weekend. Horrid, but we weren't very particular at that age (and you could get it right out of the vending machines that were on every street corner!).

If you went back as an adult, Kyrstyn, you might have a slightly different attitude (but only if you actually like whiskey, and scotch whisky in particular ).

Suntory has actually produced some good stuff. I don't really know about their lowest level whiskey, but I can tell you that I've put their single malt, the Yamazaki, in a comparison tasting of whiskies during educaitonal seminars, and they've actually shown fairly well.

Mind you, I don't think I'll ever go out of my way to pay for a bottle for my own personal consumption; if I want a scotch whisky, I'll simply pick up a whisky from Scotland. But Suntory is capable of making some quality whisky these days.

Kyrstyn, re: getting alcoholic beverages from vending machines. Yes, they still have them here but every one of them I have seen requires one to put an ID card into the machine before it will sell it to you.

And I agree, Suntory is capable of making some quality whisky these days.

Do you think that people turn away from Sakes and Sojus because there is not a household brand name? I think there is a huge place in the market for a brand to really grow. I enjoy Sake and want to see a brand that everyone knows in the states.