Browsing Botanicals : Senjyo Sakura Gin

Sakura season is maybe the most beautiful time of year … anywhere. The Northeastern U.S. may argue that point for their autumn season, but the delicate beauty of the sakura is hard to beat. It’s no surprise that a gin distillery in Japan used the sakura blossoms in their gin and it should be even …

Whiskeylust : Nikka Yoichi 10 Year

A friend of mine passed this bottle along to me as he was moving away from Japan. A pretty good friend, I’d say. This is the old Yoichi 10- I’ve not had the 2023 restart so I won’t be comparing the two. But I did have a bottle of the No Age Statement version for …

Browsing Botanicals : Kumazawa Hakutengu Craft Gin

I picked this gin up when I was buying a pack of beers from a brewery I’ve long enjoyed in Japan- Shonan Beer which is part of the Kumazawa Brewery family. Kumazawa makes beer, sake, whiskey and gin while also operating multiple restaurants. I used to drink their beer often during my first stint in …

Rum’sploration : Boso Soleil 2023

I only recently discovered Boso Oigura Distillery but I don’t feel too bad about that since they’ve only been around since 2022. I was about to pull the trigger on their standard rum offerings but saw this limited edition and decided to go big before I go home. Japan seems to have a love affair …

Whiskeylust : Suntory Kakubin 43

One post into 2024 and I’m already late. Really starting off the new year on the right foot. But even though I’m a little late, I am starting with the exact bottle I wanted so that makes this whole thing a wash. Toward the end of 2023 I found the higher proof version of Suntory’s …

Browsing Botanicals : Kyoto Ki No Tea

We’re heading back to the luxurious well today but sipping on some more Kyoto gin, this time infused with green tea. Kyoto’s gins, to me at least, come off as the upper echelon of elegance in gin. Maybe not the most unique nor complex, but well crafted and … elegant. I’m a little weary of …

Browsing Botanicals : Geekstill Amrta 03

I love not doing my research. When I’m exploring a new city, or even just a new area of a city I know well, I revel in not knowing every little thing about it ahead of time so I can be surprised when I stumble upon a little wine bistro that also happens to have …

Biruski : Vertere 7th Anny IPAs

7 and 7 I was today years old (as of the moment I first found these cans) when I learned that Vertere has been around for seven years. I really should pay more attention. I only discovered them a couple years ago but since then every time I see their cans in a store one …

Rum’sploration : Santa Maria Crystal

I picked up this bottle a few years back on a trip to Okinawa and I’m finally getting a chance to really open it up and have a go with it. The rum comes from lejima island, which is one of the islands of Okinawa. Okinawa is well known for its sugar cane so makes …

Biruski : Baystars Baseball Beers

Take Me out to the Ballgame Football season is finally over and none of my teams came out champs. They mostly did well, but still didn’t walk away with the final final goodness. Ah well, can’t get it every year. With football over, we look toward baseball’s return (yes, basketball is still going but I’m …