Sugidama Podcast

Alex

This is a podcast to chronicle my journey into the world of sake and other Japanese drinks, food, culture and history. While I have a sake qualification (International Kikisake-shi), I still consider myself as a novice in the sake world. I have plenty ...

  • 28 minutes 24 seconds
    Ep. 49: How to Enjoy Sake: Easy Buying Guide

    The new season of Sugidama Sake Podcast is out and I am releasing the first episode on Saturday! This is the start of a mini-series "How to Enjoy Sake".  After talking to a lot of people who don't drink sake I have realised that very often the reason is that they believe that sake has some special rules for buying, drinking and enjoying it and they don't know them.

    In reality, sake is like any other drink, has its own particularities but they are not as complex and different from other alcoholic beverages as some people think. Its a Japanese drink so some of the language associated with it is Japanese, but it should not be a problem if you don't know it. You can start your sake journey without any advance knowledge.

    And in the first episode of the series I am giving very simple and easy tips for buying your sake.

    Another exciting thing is that I am organising Sake & Pintxos Discovery Night to celebrate versatility of sake. It's a drink that can be enjoyed with any kind of food! And on December 14 we will drink it with iconic Basque food, pintxos, which are so ubiquitous in Northern Spain.

    If you are in London that day, please come! It would be great to meet any of my listeners. The tickets and the event information: Sake & Pintxos Discovery Night.

    Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today plus shochu and some other beverages. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.

    Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.

    Episode's Content:

    • Sake & Pintxos Discovery Night: a bit of the back story
    • "How to Enjoy Sake" mini-series idea
    • Where to buy sake?
    • Is a price of sake a factor?
    • Sake lingo: should I know all this strange words?
    • Why is sake shop staff  invaluable?
    • Sake of the episode: Kamoizumi “Red Maple” 2-Year Aged Nama Genshu Ginjo

    Kampai!

    Sake of the episode:
    Kamoizumi “Red Maple” 2-Year Aged Nama Genshu Ginjo
    Kamoizumi Shuzo
    World Sake Imports UK
    London Sake

    Red Maple Full Review
    Sugidama Blog

    Sake & Pintxos Discovery Night

    Sugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple Podcasts

    Music used:
    Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27

    Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz
     

    London Sake subscriptions & bottle shop
    A wide range of premium and craft Japanese sake delivered fresh to your door.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    2 December 2023, 12:00 pm
  • 31 minutes 28 seconds
    Ep. 48: Shochu Advisor Course Overview

    The final episode of Season 4 is about a new Shochu Advisor Course, run by the Intentional Sake School. I have recently taken it and decided to share my experience. The course was taught by amazing Toshio Ueno,  a Co-Founder of the Sake School of America, Director of Sake at MTC. Ueno san is Sake Samurai and advisor to many Japanese government bodies, associations and companies. His knowledge stretches from wine and beer to sake and shochu and many other areas.

    It's a new and I think the only shochu course available in the UK. It’s a short and to-the-point course with a very wide coverage from the history of shochu to shochu-making methods, types, ingredients, food pairing etc. After completing the course you will sit an exam and if successful will receive a Shochu Advisor certificate. The course is great and highly recommended if you are interested in Japanese alcoholic beverages!

    Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake (and shochu!!!) available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.

    Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.

    Episode's Content:

    • What is shochu?
    • How sake and shochu are similar?
    • Ueno sensei and the International Sake School
    • Why did I decide to get a Shochu Advisor Diploma?
    • The Shochu Advisor course content
    • The shochu tasting part of the course
    • Final Thoughts
    • Sake of the episode: Takara Towari Soba Shochu

    Kampai!

    Shochu mentioned:
    Takara Towari Soba Shochu
    Takara USA
    Yutaka

    The Sake School of America

    Sugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple Podcasts

    Music used:
    Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27

    Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz
     https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362

    Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

    Vocal: Svetlana

    4 May 2023, 5:00 pm
  • 36 minutes 14 seconds
    Ep 47: Sake Around the World. Sake in Manchester with Jamie Ryder (Yamato Magazine)

    It's the conclusion of the Sake Around the World miniseries. We started it in Birmingham with Simon Boulton, then flew to Hong Kong to talk to Eric and Will, after that we chatted with Timothy and John from the Sake Revolution podcast in New York and made a stop in Paris to discuss sake and wine culture with Tony. Finally, we are back in England to speak with Jamie Ryder about the sake scene in Manchester and the North of England.

     Jamie Ryder is a hospitality copywriter and marketer and the owner of Yamato Magazine, a publication that celebrates Japanese culture. He's also a certified sake sommelier and international kikisakeshi. His debut short story collection Transmutations is out now. 

    Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.

    Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.

    Episode's Content:

    • Meet Jamie Ryder 
    • Sake in Manchester:
      • sake awareness,
      • where to drink
      • preferences
      • trends
      • prospects of a local brewery
    • Sake game
    • Future plans
    • Sake of the episode: Ozeki Hana Awaka Sparkling

    Kampai!

    Sake mentioned:
    Ozeki Hana Awaka
    Ozeki website
    Oriental Mart

    The Akashi Sake Brewery

    Kokuryu Black Dragon Junmai Ginjo
    Kokuryu Sake Brewery
    Sorakami

    Yamato Magazine
    Drink To That, a weekly newsletter
    Transmutations: A Collection of Short Stories

    Sugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple Podcasts

    Music used:
    Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27

    Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz
     https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362

    Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

    Vocal: Svetlana

    20 April 2023, 7:00 am
  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    Ep. 46: Brewery Focus. Kuheiji Honten with Japan Centre

    Kuheiji Kuno is a maverick. He's a trailblazer of the sake world taking his inspiration from hundreds of years of sake brewing tradition, Japanese culture and philosophy of living with nature, and French winemaking.  He believes in terroir, which remains a controversial topic in the sake industry. But he doesn't just believe in it, he demonstrates it with his sake.

    So we sit down with Nao Torisawa and Hiro Kumagami from Japan Centre, which is one of the largest sake retailers in the UK, and talked about, tasted and discussed three of the Kuheiji sake.

    Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.

    Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.

    Episode's Content:

    • Meet Nao and Hiro
    • Japan Centre
    • Kuheiji sake brewery
    • Sake 01:  Kuno Kuheiji Kurodashocho Fukuji 2019 Junmai Daiginjo
    • Sake 02: Kuno Kuheiji Kurodashocho Tako 2020 Junmai Daiginjo
    • Sake 03: Kamoshibito Kuheiji Hi No Kishi Junmai Daiginjo Sake
    • Kuheiji terroir
    • Future plans and Goodbyes

    Kampai!
    Sake mentioned:
    Kuno Kuheiji Kurodashocho Fukuji 2019 Junmai Daiginjo
    Kuheiji Honten
    Japan Centre

    Kuno Kuheiji Kurodashocho Tako 2020 Junmai Daiginjo
    Kuheiji Honten
    Japan Centre

    Kamoshibito Kuheiji Hi No Kishi Junmai Daiginjo Sake
    Kuheiji Honten
    Japan Centre

    Kuheiji Sake Brewery

    Japan Centre

    Sake Deep Dive Terroir Episode 1 and Episode 2

    Sugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple Podcasts

    Music used:
    Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27

    Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz
     https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362

    Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

    Vocal: Svetlana

    6 April 2023, 7:00 am
  • 57 minutes 32 seconds
    Ep 45: Sake Around the World. Sake in France with Tony Yip

    We continue our journey around the world to find out how sake fares in different countries. And today I am talking to Tony Yip from VSF Wine Education about France. How does sake coexist with wine in one of the key wine-making countries?  Do people drink sake at all there and what about local sake?  I have asked Tony all these questions. So listen to the episode to find out what he replied!

    Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.

    Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.

    Episode's Content:

    • A brief introduction and the state of sake in France 
    • Can sake and wine coexist in France?
    • Pairing sake with French food
    • Where do people usually buy and drink sake in Paris
    • What kind of sake do French drinkers prefer?
    • Sake in a wine-drinking country
    • Sake trends in France
    • Local French sake
    • Sake of the episode: Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute Yamahai Aiyama 2018

    Kampai!
    Sake mentioned:
    Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute Yamahai Aiyama 2018
    Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute
    Tengu Sake

    VSF Wine Education

    Sugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple Podcasts

    Music used:
    Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27

    Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz
     https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362

    Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

    Vocal: Svetlana

    23 March 2023, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 17 minutes
    Ep 44: Discovering Yamaguchi Sake with Jim Rion

    A new English-language book about sake is always big news. They do not come that often. It's passed almost a year since Exploring the World of Japanese Craft Sake by Nancy Matsumoto and Michael Tremblay (see Episode 30). And this time we are treated by Discovering Yamaguchi Sake by Jim Rion.

    You should know Jim very well. He's a sake writer, translator and co-host of the fantastic Sake Deep Dive podcast. He's already been on Sugidama Podcast before talking about modern sake trends in Episode 35

    In this episode, we are talking with Jim about his amazing book. I really enjoyed reading it. So if you have not yet bought Discovering Yamaguchi Sake, do it! I can recommend it full-heartedly and without any reservations.

    Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.

    Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings will help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.

    Episode's Content:

    • From the idea to the final print of the book
    • Yamaguchi sake breweries. Why is Dassai the first on the list?
    • Yamaguchi terroir: does it exist?
    • Market savvy: sake marketing and branding
    • Connections sections of the book
    • People stories: who makes sake in Yamaguchi
    • Why ask toji for sake recommendations?
    • What is so cool about Yamaguchi sake
    • Discoveries during the writing of the book
    • Future of Yamaguchi sake
    • Visiting Yamaguchi
    • Future plans
    • Sake of the episode:
      •  Horie Kinsuzume Junmai Ginjo Yamahai

    Kampai!
    Sake mentioned:
    Horie Kinsuzume Junmai Ginjo Yamahai
    Yamaguchi Sake

    Where to buy Discovering Yamaguchi Sake:
    IndiePubs (US)
    Foyles (UK)
    I also used a snippet of the Yamaguchi prefecture song, 山口県民の歌 (full version).

    Sugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple Podcasts

    Music used:
    Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27

    Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz
     https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362

    Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

    Vocal: Svetlana

    9 March 2023, 8:00 am
  • 54 minutes 5 seconds
    Ep 43: Sake Around the World. New York with Sake Revolution, Timothy Sullivan and John Puma

    The United States is the largest export market for Japanese sake. And for the last few decades, New York has been the key destination for sake outside Asia.  Many sake brands first came there and only after that to Europe.  A dedicated sake bar Decibel opened its doors in New York in 1993, almost 30 years before London got its first sake bar.

     So how does the sake scene in the United States and in New York in particular look like now? In this episode, I am talking to Timothy Sullivan, a Sake Samurai and a founder of the Urban Sake website and John Puma, who is probably the biggest sake geek in New York.

    And together they are Sake Revolution, the first American sake podcast, of which I am a big fan and even was a guest in episode 107. I love Tim's and John's podcast because it's always fun but also gives you tonnes of useful information about sake!

    Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.

    Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.

    Episode's Content:

    • Meet Sake Revolution!
    • Peculiarities of the US alcohol market
    • Sake in the US: growth, top states etc.
    • Where to drink and buy sake in New York
    • Sake consumer awareness and what sake is popular in the US
    • The US jizake: local sake breweries in the US
    • Future trends and observations
    • Sake of the episode:
      • Tim: Hakkaisan Yukimuro "Snow Aged 3 years" - Junmai Daiginjo Sake 
      • John: Brooklyn Kura Number Fourteen - Junmai Ginjo 

    Kampai!
    Sake mentioned:
    Hakkaisan Yukimuro
    Hakkaisan
    Sorakami

    Brooklyn Kura Number Fourteen
    Brooklyn Kura

    Sake Revolution Podcast
    Urban Sake
    The Sake Notes

    Sugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple Podcasts

    Music used:
    Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27

    Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz
     https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362

    Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

    Vocal: Svetlana

    23 February 2023, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    Ep. 42: Brewery Focus. Niida Honke with Sake Collective

    Founded in 1711, Niida Honke has been brewing sake in the same location in Kōriyama, Fukushima Prefecture for more than 300 years. The brewery is known for the combination of traditional brewing techniques with its strong commitment to natural ingredients and its philosophy that everything has to be done in harmony with nature.

     The name of the brewery's flagship brand, Shizenshu, means “natural sake". Niida Honke uses only organic rice, fresh water from the local spring, and natural yeast from its own brewery.  They even use frogs on their own rice paddies to get rid of harmful insects.  You can read more about the brewery on Nippon.com.

    So I sat down with Elena and Laury from Sake Collective to taste some of Niida Honke sake and talk about it. Sake Collective is a new sake shop and bar in East London, offering a great selection of sake from many Japanese breweries as well as some shochu, Japanese whiskey and gin.

    Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.

    Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.

    Episode's Content:

    • A quick introduction to Sake Collective
    • Niida Honke Sake Brewery
    • Sake 01: Kaoruyama Junmai
    • Sake 02:  Shizenshu Kan Atsurae
    • Sake 03: Shizenshu Junmai Ginjo
    • Sake 04: Shizenshu Nigori
    • Conclusions and Goodbyes

    Kampai!
    Sake mentioned:
    Kaoruyama Junmai
    Niida Honke
    Sake Collective

    Shizenshu Kan Atsurae
    Niida Honke
    Sake Collective

    Shizenshu Junmai Ginjo
    Niida Honke
    Sake Collective

    Shizenshu Nigori
    Niida Honke
    Sake Collective

    Niida Honke Sake Brewery

    Sake Collective UK

    Sugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple Podcasts

    Music used:
    Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27

    Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz
     https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362

    Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

    Vocal: Svetlana

    9 February 2023, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    Ep. 41 Sake Around the World: Sake in Hong Kong with Eric Fung and Will Jarvis

    From Birmingham to Hong Kong following sake around the world!  I am talking to Eric Fung and Will Jarvis about the sake scene in Hong Kong.

    Hong Kong is one of the largest export markets for sake just behind the US and Mainland China due for a number of reasons: 

    1. Due to the proximity to Japan, consumers in Hong Kong have very good understanding of sake
    2. The city has low import tariffs, which also makes it a re-export market
    3. Hong Kong is a hub for wine trading at a commercial scale
    4. Hong Kong is seen as the gateway to China

    Eric Fung is the owner of Flavour of Life,  a purveyor of Japanese sake and beverages from select family-run producers in Japan.   Flavour of Life works exclusively with their Japanese counterpart to ensure quality sake is delivered internationally throughout Asia and North America.  The company focus on Yamaguchi prefecture but also on Shiga and Nagano prefectures.

    Will Jarvis has been living and working in Asia for 8 years. Sake Matters is his consulting business working closely with Flavour of Life and other local concepts and importers on various projects, events and tastings. Will also writes for the Sake Brewers Association of North America and other Sake organisations and Asia-wide publications.

    Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.

    Simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings will help you find the perfect sake without fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.

    Episode's Content:

    • Sake in Hong Kong and how it's compared to the UK
    • Where do people buy and drink sake in Hong Kong
    • Sake consumer trends in Hong Kong
    • Seasonal sake in Hong Kong
    • Sake promotion and marketing in Hong Kong
    • Are there any local sake breweries in Hong Kong?
    • Future plans
    • Sake recommendations
    • Goodbyes and Ending

    Kampai!
    Sake mentioned:
    Miyoshi Blue Junmai Ginjo
    Abunotusuru Sake Brewery
    Flavour of Life

    Breweries mentioned by Will:
    Kamoizumi Shuzo
    Zenkuro Sake
    Daimon Brewery
    Otokoyama Sake Brewery

    Discovering Yamaguchi Sake by Jim Rion

    Sugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple Podcasts

    Music used:
    Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27

    Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz
     https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362

    Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

    Vocal: Svetlana

    26 January 2023, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    Ep. 40: Brewery Focus. Tedorigawa Sake with World Sake Imports UK

    Yoshida Sake Brewery, the maker of Tedorigawa sake, is famous not only for its amazing and delicious sake but also for the documentary, The Birth of Sake, which follows the process of traditional, craft sake making throughout the winter of 2013.

    So we sat down with Asami Tasaka and Masayo Nuttall from World Sake Imports UK to talk about the brewery and try three of their excellent sake. Founded by Chris Pearce in Honolulu, Hawaii, World Sake Imports is also one of the key sake importers here in the United Kingdom bringing such famous sake brands as Dewazakura, Kamoizumi, Masumi, Tamagawa, Sohomare and others to our shores.

    Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.

    Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.

    Episode's Content:

    • A quick introduction to World Sake Imports 
    • Yoshida Brewery and Tedorigawa Sake
    • Sake 01: Tedorigawa “U” Junmai Yamahai
    • Sake 02:  Tedorigawa “Yamahai Junmai”
    • Sake 03: Tedorigawa “Kinka”
    • Conclusions
    • Tedorigawa and Sustainability
    • The Birth of Sake and Goodbyes

    Kampai!
    Sake mentioned:
    Tedorigawa “U” Junmai Yamahai
    World Sake Imports UK

    Tedorigawa Yamahai Junmai
    Tedorigawa Sake (Yoshida Brewery)
    World Sake Imports UK

    Tedorigawa “Kinka”
    World Sake Imports UK

    Tedorigawa Sake (Yoshida Sake Brewery)

    World Sake Imports UK

    The Birth of Sake

    Sugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple Podcasts

    Music used:
    Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27

    Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz
     https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362

    Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

    Vocal: Svetlana

    12 January 2023, 8:00 am
  • 50 minutes 20 seconds
    Ep. 39 Sake Around the World: Sake in Birmingham with Sam Boulton

    This is the first episode in the Sake Around the World series. Today I am talking with Samuel Boulton about sake in Birmingham. With almost 15 years in the industry, Sam boasts many accolades such as CLASS Awards 2022, Bar Employer of the year, The Drinks Trust Golden Pineapple 2022 Winner of the award Best Internal Staff Initiatives. 

    Samuel is also on the Spirits Judging Committee for the world-renowned IWSC, specialising in Vermouth and liqueurs. In 2021 Sam published his first book The Vermouth Ambassadors Guide to Modern Drinking

    He is also the owner of the award-winning The Pineapple Club, which has been deemed Tale of the Cocktails, Spirited Awards Regional Top 10 Honoree for Best New International Bar in Europe and ranked 44th Best Bar on the UK Top 50 Bars List.

    In early 2022 Sam opened Shibuya Underground a Testing menu cocktail bar specialising in Japanese sake and shochu. So if you are in Birmingham, living there or travelling, stop by Shibuya Underground or The Pineapple Club and have a chat with Sam over a glass or two of sake or one of his cocktails.

    Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.

    Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.

    Episode's Content:

    • Sam's sake story and why sake
    • Sake in Birmingham and Shibuya Underground
    • Growth in sake in Birmingham and what holds it up
    • Sake preferences and trends in Birmingham
    • Future plans
    • Sake of the Episode: Yamahai Miyama Nishiki 2018
    • Goodbyes and Ending

    Kampai!
    Sake mentioned:
    Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute Yamahai Miyama Nishiki 2018
    Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute
    Tengu Sake

    The Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute

    Shibuya Underground

    The Pineapple Club Cocktail Bar

    Sugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple Podcasts

    Music used:
    Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27

    Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz
     https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362

    Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

    Vocal: Svetlana

    29 December 2022, 8:00 am
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