Promoting the International Spirit of Shochu w/ Christopher Pellegrini

On this episode of Small Business Japan I talk with Christopher Pellegrini, shochu expert, educator, author, owner and exporter. I invite you to explore this fascinating business world of Japan’s indigenous spirit that is obscure yet everywhere. Shochu is a traditional Japanese distilled spirit that can be made from a wide variety grains and vegetables. It is typically around 25% ABV and drank in a variety of ways like on-the-rocks or cut with water, both cold or hot. Tokyo resident Christopher Pellegrini is a dual-certified shochu and awamori expert and author of “The Shochu Handbook.” A government-designated ambassador for Japan’s indigenous spirits and recipient of the Japan Brewing Society’s culture prize, he is a constantly traveling advocate for the category and part-owner of a boutique export outfit in Fukuoka.