Japan Distilled
111 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 56 ratingsDistilled spirits have been made in Japan for over 600 years, but even today these drinks remain unknown outside the Land of the Rising Sun. Join shochu and awamori ambassadors Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman bi-weekly for a deep dive into Japan's best kept secrets. If you enjoy exploring craft spirits from around the world, but think whisky is the most popular Japanese spirit, you are in for a treat with the Japan Distilled podcast.
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Episodes
The Afternoon Shift in a Shochu Distillery (ep. 35)
May 13, 2022 14:00 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBIn the 34th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your host Stephen Lyman takes you on an auditory journey, working the afternoon shift in a handmade shochu distillery. This is a pretty sharp departure from our usual Japan Distilled podcast as we enlist the voice over assistance of our editor Rich Pav who also incorporated all of the music and sound effects. This is part 1 in a planned 3 part series encompassing a day in the life of a shochu distillery. MORNING SHIFT CREDITS Theme Song...
The Afternoon Shift in a Shochu Distillery (Ep. 35)
May 13, 2022 14:00 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBIn the 34th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your host Stephen Lyman takes you on an auditory journey, working the afternoon shift in a handmade shochu distillery. This is a pretty sharp departure from our usual Japan Distilled podcast as we enlist the voice over assistance of our editor Rich Pav who also incorporated all of the music and sound effects. This is part 1 in a planned 3 part series encompassing a day in the life of a shochu distillery. MORNING SHIFT CREDITS Theme Song...
Morning in a Shochu Distillery (Ep. 34)
April 27, 2022 13:45 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBIn the 34th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your host Stephen Lyman takes you on an auditory journey, working the morning shift in a handmade shochu distillery. This is a pretty sharp departure from our usual Japan Distilled podcast as we enlist the voice over assistance of our editor Rich Pav who also incorporated all of the music and sound effects. This is part 1 in a planned 3 part series encompassing a day in the life of a shochu distillery. Credits Chill Wave by Kevin MacLeo...
Morning in a Shochu Distillery (ep. 34)
April 27, 2022 13:45 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBIn the 34th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your host Stephen Lyman takes you on an auditory journey, working the morning shift in a handmade shochu distillery. This is a pretty sharp departure from our usual Japan Distilled podcast as we enlist the voice over assistance of our editor Rich Pav who also incorporated all of the music and sound effects. This is part 1 in a planned 3 part series encompassing a day in the life of a shochu distillery. Credits Chill Wave by Kevin MacLeo...
Teaser: Episode 34 Coming Soon!
April 20, 2022 14:00 - 4 minutes - 4.28 MBEpisode 34 is taking a little longer than usual to write, record, and edit, but we truly hope it will be worth the wait. It's the first in a 3 part series that we are very excited to share with you. Stephen has been working at the Yamatozakura shochu distillery in Ichiki, Kagoshima, every fall for almost a decade and we've decided to try take you on a journey through a day in the life of the distillery. Narrated by Rich Pav of Uncanny Robot. The series will be broken into three parts: Mo...
A Deep Cut with Joshin Atone of The SG Shochu (Ep. 33)
April 06, 2022 15:21 - 50 minutes - 46.4 MBIn the 33rd episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your host Stephen Lyman has a conversation with Joshin Atone of The SG Shochu. The conversation ranges from NY cocktail culture to Shanghai speakeasies to Joshin serving his first drink at the age of four. The meandering conversation is full of great info for everyone from the shochu curious novice to the professional bartender.
A Deep Cut with Joshin Atone of The SG Shochu (ep. 33)
April 06, 2022 15:21 - 50 minutes - 46.4 MBIn the 33rd episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your host Stephen Lyman has a conversation with Joshin Atone of The SG Shochu. The conversation ranges from NY cocktail culture to Shanghai speakeasies to Joshin serving his first drink at the age of four. The meandering conversation is full of great info for everyone from the shochu curious novice to the professional bartender.
The 1st Cuts are the Deepest (Ep. 32)
March 22, 2022 14:00 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBIn episode 32 of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman tackle the mysterious world of spirits cuts. It turns out these are not so mysterious and experienced distillers use a number of variables to determine "the cuts" ... listen in for more details.
The 1st Cuts are the Deepest (ep. 32)
March 22, 2022 14:00 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBIn episode 32 of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman tackle the mysterious world of spirits cuts. It turns out these are not so mysterious and experienced distillers use a number of variables to determine "the cuts" ... listen in for more details.
Welcome to UmamiMart (ep. 31)
March 08, 2022 14:30 - 45 minutes - 42.1 MBIn the 31th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your host Stephen Lyman interviewers the founders and owners of UmamiMart in Oakland, California. What started as a blog has turned into a near national direct to consumer Japanese alcohol business and a neighborhood bar/liquor store.
Welcome to Umami Mart (ep. 31)
March 08, 2022 14:30 - 45 minutes - 42.1 MBIn the 31th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your host Stephen Lyman interviewers the founders and owners of Umami Mart in Oakland, California. What started as a blog has turned into a near national direct to consumer Japanese alcohol business and a neighborhood bar/liquor store.
Welcome to Umami Mart (Ep. 31)
March 08, 2022 14:30 - 45 minutes - 42.1 MBIn the 31th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your host Stephen Lyman interviewers the founders and owners of Umami Mart in Oakland, California. What started as a blog has turned into a near national direct to consumer Japanese alcohol business and a neighborhood bar/liquor store.
Eau de Vie: Lovely Japanese Water of Life (ep. 30)
February 22, 2022 14:00 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBIn the 30th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman swim into uncharted waters. That is the water of life, eau de vie. An uncommon spirits style that's only very recently begun capturing the attention of Japan's spirits community.
Eau de Vie: Lovely Japanese Water of Life (Ep. 30)
February 22, 2022 14:00 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBIn the 30th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman swim into uncharted waters. That is the water of life, eau de vie. An uncommon spirits style that's only very recently begun capturing the attention of Japan's spirits community.
The Master of Japanese Whisky: Masataka Taketsuru (ep. 29)
February 07, 2022 14:00 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBIn the 29th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a look back at the most important man in the history of Japanese whisky. Masataka Taketsuru not only build the Yamazaki Distillery for Suntory, but then set out on his own and founded Nikka. The ripples of his contribution are still being felt today.
The Master of Japanese Whisky: Masataka Taketsuru (Ep. 29)
February 07, 2022 14:00 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBIn the 29th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a look back at the most important man in the history of Japanese whisky. Masataka Taketsuru not only build the Yamazaki Distillery for Suntory, but then set out on his own and founded Nikka. The ripples of his contribution are still being felt today.
New Japanese Whisky Distilleries (ep. 28)
January 25, 2022 13:15 - 35 minutes - 32.7 MBIn the 28th and second episode of season two of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman dive into the huge increase in new Japanese whisky making licenses that have been issued in the past 5 years as well as who may be behind some of these new ventures.
New Japanese Whisky Distilleries (ep. 28)
January 25, 2022 13:15In the 28th and second episode of season two of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman dive into the huge increase in new Japanese whisky making licenses that have been issued in the past 5 years as well as who may be behind some of these new ventures.
New Japanese Whisky Distilleries (Ep. 28)
January 25, 2022 13:15In the 28th and second episode of season two of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman dive into the huge increase in new Japanese whisky making licenses that have been issued in the past 5 years as well as who may be behind some of these new ventures.
New Japanese Whisky Distilleries (Ep. 28)
January 25, 2022 13:15In the 28th and second episode of season two of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman dive into the huge increase in new Japanese whisky making licenses that have been issued in the past 5 years as well as who may be behind some of these new ventures.
Malt vs. Koji (ep. 27)
January 10, 2022 14:00 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MBIn the 27th and first episode of season two of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman tackle the sticky topic of the difference between malt vs. koji when it comes to breaking grains down into fermentable sugars.
Malt vs. Koji (Ep. 27)
January 10, 2022 14:00 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MBIn the 27th and first episode of season two of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman tackle the sticky topic of the difference between malt vs. koji when it comes to breaking grains down into fermentable sugars.
Year in Review: Parent Teacher Conference (ep. 26)
December 06, 2021 14:00 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBIn the 26th and final episode of season one of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman reflect on the the year in review and muse about what might happen in season two.
Year in Review: Parent Teacher Conference (Ep. 26)
December 06, 2021 14:00 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBIn the 26th and final episode of season one of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman reflect on the the year in review and muse about what might happen in season two.
The Charming ChuHai (ep. 25)
November 15, 2021 13:30 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBIn the 25th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a closer look at the history and modern enjoyment of the original hard seltzer - the Japanese chuhai.
The Charming ChuHai (Ep. 25)
November 15, 2021 13:30 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBIn the 25th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a closer look at the history and modern enjoyment of the original hard seltzer - the Japanese chuhai.
Searching for Spirited Shimazake (ep. 24)
November 01, 2021 13:30 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBIn the 24th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a deep dive into shimazake (island spirits), which refers to those shochu and awamori not made on one of the 4 main islands of Japan. At least that's our working definition.
Searching for Spirited Shimazake (Ep. 24)
November 01, 2021 13:30 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBIn the 24th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a deep dive into shimazake (island spirits), which refers to those shochu and awamori not made on one of the 4 main islands of Japan. At least that's our working definition.
American Shochu on the Rise (Ep. 23)
October 11, 2021 13:30 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBIn the 23rd episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman explore American shochu (made in the United States). American shochu is in its infancy, but there is a lot of creativity and experimentation.
American Shochu on the Rise (ep. 23)
October 11, 2021 13:30 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBIn the 23rd episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman explore American shochu (made in the United States). American shochu is in its infancy, but there is a lot of creativity and experimentation.
Classic Japanese Whisky Service Styles (Ep. 22)
September 27, 2021 13:30 - 34 minutes - 32 MBIn the 22nd episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman explore Japanese whisky service styles. While many whisky lovers prefer their dram straight, Japan has a long history of whisky dilution. In fact, many premium Japanese whiskies are crafted with dilution in mind.
Classic Japanese Whisky Service Styles (ep. 22)
September 27, 2021 13:30 - 34 minutes - 32 MBIn the 22nd episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman explore Japanese whisky service styles. While many whisky lovers prefer their dram straight, Japan has a long history of whisky dilution. In fact, many premium Japanese whiskies are crafted with dilution in mind.
Hot Shochu in Japan (ep 21)
September 13, 2021 13:30 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBIn the 21st episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman explore hot shochu (read "warm") service styles for the traditional Japanese spirits of honkaku shochu and ryukyu awamori. While other styles exist these days, (listen to episode 20 on cold shochu styles) shochu served warm is probably most traditional.
Hot Shochu in Japan (Ep. 21)
September 13, 2021 13:30 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBIn the 21st episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman explore hot shochu (read "warm") service styles for the traditional Japanese spirits of honkaku shochu and ryukyu awamori. While other styles exist these days, (listen to episode 20 on cold shochu styles) shochu served warm is probably most traditional.
Cool Shochu in Japan (Ep. 20)
August 30, 2021 14:00 - 32 minutes - 30 MBIn the 20th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman explore cool shochu (read "cold") service styles for the traditional Japanese spirits of honkaku shochu and ryukyu awamori. While other styles exist these days, cool shochu service is most common throughout most of Japan.
Japanese Vodka (Ep. 19)
August 17, 2021 02:06 - 2 minutes - 2.88 MBIn the 19th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman make brief mention of Japanese vodka.
Japanese Vodka (Ep 19)
August 17, 2021 02:06 - 2 minutes - 2.88 MBIn the 19th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman make brief mention of Japanese vodka.
The Beauty of Aromatic Shochu (Ep. 18)
August 02, 2021 13:30 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBIn the 18th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman turn their noses into the wonderful style that they've taken to calling aromatic shochu.
The Beauty of Aromatic Shochu (Ep 18)
August 02, 2021 13:30 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBIn the 18th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman turn their noses into the wonderful style that they've taken to calling aromatic shochu.
Environmentally Responsible Kasutori Shochu (Ep. 17)
July 19, 2021 13:30 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBIn the 17th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a look at an environmentally and historically important, but uncommon style of shochu. That is kasutori shochu made from the sake lees, or the solids remaining after sake production.
Environmentally Responsible Kasutori Shochu (ep. 17)
July 19, 2021 13:30 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBIn the 17th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a look at an environmentally and historically important, but uncommon style of shochu. That is kasutori shochu made from the sake lees, or the solids remaining after sake production.
Jumping into Japanese Gin (Ep. 16)
July 05, 2021 13:30 - 38 minutes - 35.7 MBIn the 16th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a closer look at Japanese gin. While gin was first made in Japan over 200 years ago, it has really only taken root in the past few years.
Jumping into Japanese Gin (ep. 16)
July 05, 2021 13:30 - 38 minutes - 35.7 MBIn the 16th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a closer look at Japanese gin. While gin was first made in Japan over 200 years ago, it has really only taken root in the past few years.
The Wild World of Kokuto Shochu (ep 15)
June 21, 2021 01:00 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MBIn the 15th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a deep dive into kokuto shochu. This continues a multi-part series breaking down the various styles of honkaku shochu, which are classified by ingredient type in the main fermentation.
The Wild World of Kokuto Shochu (Ep. 15)
June 21, 2021 01:00 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MBIn the 15th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a deep dive into kokuto shochu. This continues a multi-part series breaking down the various styles of honkaku shochu, which are classified by ingredient type in the main fermentation.
The Smelly, Wonderful World of Sweet Potato Shochu (Ep. 14)
June 07, 2021 09:30 - 42 minutes - 39.4 MBIn the 14th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a deep dive into sweet potato shochu. This continues a multi-part series breaking down the various subcategories of honkaku shochu, which are classified by ingredient type in the main fermentation.
The Smelly, Wonderful World of Sweet Potato Shochu (ep. 14)
June 07, 2021 09:30 - 42 minutes - 39.4 MBIn the 14th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a deep dive into sweet potato shochu. This continues a multi-part series breaking down the various subcategories of honkaku shochu, which are classified by ingredient type in the main fermentation.
A Deep Dive into Barley Shochu (Ep. 13)
May 24, 2021 09:30 - 37 minutes - 34.7 MBIn the 13th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a deeper dive into barley shochu. This continues a multi-part series breaking down the various subcategories of honkaku shochu, which are classified by ingredient type in the main fermentation.
Rice Shochu: Japan’s First Native Spirit (Ep. 12)
May 10, 2021 09:30 - 41 minutes - 37.9 MBIn the 12th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a deeper dive into rice shochu. This begins a multi-part series breaking down the various subcategories of honkaku shochu, which are classified by ingredient type in the main fermentation.
Shochu vs. Soju: a fierce rivalry? (Ep. 11)
April 26, 2021 09:30 - 38 minutes - 35.6 MBIn the 11th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman tackle their most controversial topic yet: shochu vs. soju. One made in Japan (shochu) and one made in Korea (soju). A previous post on kanpai.us ended up garnering the most visits and more comments than usual, many defending soju. Well, we are here to set the record straight.