Japan Distilled

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Distilled 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.

Christopher Pellegrini, Stephen Lyman


    • May 22, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 39m AVG DURATION
    • 89 EPISODES

    5 from 53 ratings Listeners of Japan Distilled that love the show mention: japanese, highly recommended, work, great.


    Ivy Insights

    The Japan Distilled podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in Japanese spirits and culture. Hosted by Stephen Lyman and Christopher Pellegrini, this podcast combines their extensive knowledge, humor, and storytelling abilities to create an entertaining and educational experience. From the production stage to distribution and consumption, the hosts provide fascinating anecdotes and insights that keep listeners engaged throughout each episode. Whether you're a fan of alcohol or simply intrigued by life and work in Japan, this podcast offers a unique window into the world of Japanese liquor.

    The best aspect of The Japan Distilled podcast is the hosts' expertise and passion for their subject matter. With hands-on experience in the industry, they bring a level of authenticity that sets this podcast apart from others. Their deep knowledge of Japanese spirits is evident in every episode as they share historical facts, drink information, and personal experiences. Not only do they educate listeners on the topic at hand, but they also provide cultural context that enriches the overall listening experience. Additionally, their chemistry as hosts is undeniable. Their banter and lighthearted approach make for an enjoyable and engaging conversation that keeps listeners entertained from start to finish.

    While it's hard to find any negative aspects of The Japan Distilled podcast, one minor downside could be that some episodes may contain too much technical information for those who are not already familiar with Japanese spirits. However, this can easily be overcome by approaching each episode with an open mind and a willingness to learn. The hosts do their best to explain complex concepts in an accessible way but it's helpful to have some prior knowledge or interest in the subject matter.

    In conclusion, The Japan Distilled podcast is a standout show that combines history, culture, and spirits in a delightful package. Stephen Lyman's and Christopher Pellegrini's expertise shines through in every episode as they deliver fascinating stories and insights about Japanese liquor. Whether you're a history lover, a fan of Japanese spirits, or simply looking to expand your cultural horizons, this podcast is highly recommended. The hosts' ability to educate while keeping it lighthearted makes for an enjoyable and informative listening experience that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next episode.



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    Latest episodes from Japan Distilled

    Live Show! Koji Spirits Chat at Charleston Wine & Food Festival (ep. 87)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 73:01


    In episode 87, Stephen chats koji spirits in Charleston, South Carolina as a guest of Imbibe Magazine's editor in Chief, Paul Clarke (listen to episode 69 for more of his thoughts on Japanese spirits) and James Beard Award winning author, bartender, and bar owner, Julia Momose. The trio hosted a live panel discussion of koji spirits to a group of guests, most of whom had never tried shochu, awamori, or koji whiskey before.

    Surgeon General's Warning (ep. 86)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 23:52


    In episode 86, Stephen spends some time musing on the recent announcement that the U.S. Surgeon General recommends cancer warnings on beverage alcohol labels.  

    Okay, so who is Stephen Lyman? (ep. 85)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 47:28


    In episode 85, Stephen Lyman finally gets around to introducing himself.

    stephen lyman
    Who is Christopher Pellegrini? (ep. 84)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 45:56


    In episode 84, Christopher Pellegrini finally gets around to introducing himself.

    Big News! UNESCO Koji Fermentation is an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ep. 83)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 34:37


    UNESCO Koji Fermentation recognition? In episode 83, we discuss the recent announcement that Japanese koji alcohol fermentation has been named an intangible cultural heritage.

    Talking Koji Cocktails with Grant Lavrenz (ep. 82)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 35:39


    In episode 82 our host Stephen Lyman sits down at Khaluna Restaurant in Minneapolis with Grant Lavrenz who is doing amazing things with koji spirits in his cocktail program.

    Nankai Shochu: a conversation with founder Paul Nakayama (ep. 81)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 53:45


    In episode 81 our host Stephen Lyman is joined by founder of Nankai Shochu, the first kokuto sugar shochu developed specifically for the US market.

    The SG Shochu (ep. 80)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 28:46


    In episode 80, our hosts take a deeper look at The SG Shochu from The SG Group, lead by internationally recognized bartender, Shingo Gokan.

    Gateway Shochu + Simple Serves (ep. 79)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 44:04


    In episode 79 our hosts are back in the studio to talk about gateway shochu brands and simple service styles to help introduce these spirits to unfamiliar drinkers.

    The Bartender's Pantry: a chat with Jim Meehan (ep. 78)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 54:17


    In episode 78 our host Stephen Lyman is joined by co-author of The Bartender's Pantry, bartender, bar owner, introvert, and writer Jim Meehan.

    The Death of the Soju Label Rule: a chat with Chef turned Lobbyist John McCarthy (ep. 77)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 50:53


    In episode 77 our host Stephen Lyman sits down to chat with lawyer turned chef turned lobbyist John McCarthy to discuss the end of the soju label rule for NY and CA. Of course, they also talk shochu, hospitality, and plenty else.

    The First Australian Shochu: interview with Hamish Nugent of Reed & Co. Distillery

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2024 46:22


    In episode 76 our host Stephen Lyman sits down with chef turned distiller Hamish Nugent of Reed & Co. Distillery to talk trial and error, success, and the very first Australian Shochu.

    The Iconoclastic Chuko Distillery (ep. 75)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 45:35


    In episode 75 our hosts at long last profile the iconic and iconoclastic Chuko Distillery in Okinawa. 

    Whisky Rising: a chat with author Stefan VanEycken (ep. 74)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2024 40:23


    In episode 74 our host Stephen Lyman sits down with author of Whisky Rising, Stefan VanEycken in Tokyo. They discuss Stefan's whisky journey, his book, and the state of Japanese whisky in 2024.

    Award Winning Aloha Whisky Bar: a chat with David Tsujimoto (ep. 73)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2024 29:36


    In episode 73 our host Stephen Lyman visits Aloha Whisky Bar in the Ikebukuro neighborhood of Tokyo. He and owner David Tsujimoto talk whisky discovery, the journey to bar ownership, and the state of Japanese whisky in 2024.

    Shochu Trends 2024 (ep. 72)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 37:30


    In episode 72 our hosts reflect on a massive increase in awareness for shochu in awamori overseas and wonder about what 2024 has in store.

    Koji and Agave Spirits: a chat with Emma Janzen on these beautiful traditions (ep. 71)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2024 59:41


    In episode 71 our host Stephen Lyman is joined by James Beard Award Winning Author and Journalist, Emma Janzen to talk about the similarities, differences, histories, and culture behind two of the world's most fascinating indigenous spirits traditions: agave spirits and koji spirits.

    Succession Challenge(s): how to pass the baton (ep. 70)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2023 28:29


    In episode 70, Stephen reflects on succession challenges in small family distilleries on his first solo podcast for Japan Distilled. 

    pass succession baton japan distilled
    Imbibe in Kyushu: Interview with Paul Clarke (ep. 69)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023 29:09


    In episode 69, Stephen chats with editor in chief of Imbibe Magazine, Paul Clarke, toward the end of their Imbibe in Kyushu Distillery Tour.

    What is that?! Spirits Evaluation (Ep. 68)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023 32:31


    In episode 68 of the Japan Distilled podcast, Stephen puts Christopher on the spot with an impromptu spirits evaluation.

    spirits evaluation japan distilled
    Mizu Shochu: Japan's 1st Export Brand (ep. 67)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2023 55:27


    In episode 67, Stephen delves into the origins of Mizu Shochu with founder, Jesse Falowitz. Believed to be the 1st shochu ever developed specifically for the export market, Mizu has been a trendsetter for over a decade now.

    Yabai Chuhai & Wild Skateboards: interview with Jason Rogers (ep. 66)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2023 40:07


    In episode 66, Stephen chats with former professional skateboarder Jason Rogers, founder of Yabai Chuhai.

    Going Deep Inside the Pot Still (ep. 65)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2023 44:15


    In episode 65 of the Japan Distilled podcast, we discuss something that is often overlooked in discussions of distilled spirits production. What's happening inside the pot still?

    going deep deep inside japan distilled
    Denver Distillery Interview: makers of Kasutori Imo Shochu (ep. 64)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2023 42:41


    In episode 64, Stephen takes the show on the road and interviews Chris Anderson-Tarver of Denver Distillery in Colorado.

    Kampai Planet visits Japan Distilled (ep. 63)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2023 43:51


    In episode 63, Christopher Pellegrini takes the interviewer's chair as he welcomes his friend and fellow Tokyo Swallows fan, Mac Salman of Kanpai Planet.

    Sanwa Shurui: The World's Greatest Spirits Maker Nobody's Ever Heard Of? (ep. 62)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2023 42:16


    In episode 62, our hosts dive into our 2nd ever shochu distillery profile. This one for Sanwa Shurui, makers of iichiko shochu.

    Soba Shochu (ep. 61)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2023 33:01


    In the 61st episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, at long last your hosts dive into soba shochu.

    soba shochu japan distilled
    Koji Cocktails on the Rise (ep. 60)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2023 44:29


    In the 60th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts take a long, hard look at koji cocktails. That is, cocktails made with koji based spirits.

    cocktails koji japan distilled
    The Charming Mitosaya Botanical Distillery (Ep. 59)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2023 47:44


    In Episode 59 of The Japan Distilled Podcast, your co-hosts profile Mitosaya Botanical Distillery in Chiba Prefecture, makers of some of the most interesting eau de vie we've ever tried. 

    BONUS EPISODE! Japan Distilled Koji Spirits Cocktail Competition Results (ep. 58B)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2023 18:21


    In this bonus episode addendum to the 58th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, guest host Matt Alt joins Stephen Lyman to reveal and discuss the finalists for the 1st ever Japan Distilled Koji Spirits Cocktail Competition.

    The Origins of Japanese Cocktail Culture (ep. 58)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2023 38:22


    In the 58th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, guest host Matt Alt joins Stephen Lyman to discuss the origins of Japanese cocktail culture.

    Funky Sanaburi Shochu (Ep. 57)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2023 33:45


    In episode 57 of the Japan Distilled podcast, your host Stephen Lyman is joined by author and podcaster Jim Rion for a deep dive on sanaburi shochu, one of the original forms of kasutori shochu.

    funky shochu stephen lyman japan distilled
    A Hidden Treasure: Ryukyu Awamori (Ep. 56)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 46:57


    In episode 56 of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini & Stephen Lyman dive deeper into Ryukyu Awamori, which is the oldest distilling tradition in Japan.

    japan hidden treasure ryukyu awamori japan distilled
    The $200 Koji Spirits Home Bar Challenge (ep. 55)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2023 34:43


    In episode 55 of the Japan Distilled podcast, Stephen & Christopher try to build a $200 USD home bar full of delicious koji spirits.

    Spirits Dilution is Underrated (ep. 54)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2023 37:46


    In episode 54 of the Japan Distilled podcast, we discuss something that is almost never talked about in spirits. Dilution. Nearly all distilled beverage alcohol has water added before bottling. Why is that? And why is it so incredibly important in Japan?

    The Improbable Journey of Jokichi Takamine, Pt 2 (Ep. 53)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2023 41:08


    In the 53rd episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, we complete Jokichi Takamine's improbable journey and reflect on his legacy. This is the 2nd in a 2 part series so if you missed episode 52, we recommend you go back and have a listen about Jokichi Takamine's formative years.

    improbable japan distilled
    The Improbable Journey of Jokichi Takamine, Pt. 1 (Ep. 52)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2023 37:30


    In the 52nd episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, we take you through the foundational years of the improbable and remarkable journey of the first Japanese person to ever make whiskey: Jokichi Takamine. It's probably not too much to say that Jokichi Takamine is the most important Japanese immigrant to ever live in the United States. His whiskey is just a small part of his story.

    A Year of Drinking Less Dangerously (Ep. 51)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2023 60:33


    In our 51st episode we take stock of things and decide to reflect on the effects alcohol has on our bodies while considering ways to more safely enjoy these drinks we know and love.

    Our First Ever Spirits Q&A (Ep. 50)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2022 65:02


    In 50th episode we have a little spirits Q&A fun with our hosts answering listener questions about topics ranging from underrated distilleries to Casper the Friendly Ghost.

    Introducing the Furusawa Distillery (Ep. 49)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2022 44:47


    In episode 49, our hosts profile Furusawa Distillery, the only distillery in Japan that has had not just one, but two female presidents. Includes a brief interview with current toji, Masako Furusawa, who is the 5th generation owner.

    Weird, Unusual, Uncanny Shochu (Ep. 48)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2022 36:52


    In episode 48, our hosts have a little fun by jumping into the weird, unusual, or shall we even say, uncanny shochu styles that make up a sliver of the category, but make shochu such an odd spirit to categorize.

    Oita 100% Barley Shochu (Ep. 47)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2022 33:32


    In episode 47, our hosts move beyond WTO Geographic Indications and begin exploring regional styles that do not have GI protection. Easily, the one most associated with a specific region is Oita 100% barley shochu.

    Is Terroir a Dirty Word in Spirits? (ep. 46)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2022 41:05


    In episode 46 of the Japan Distilled podcast, our hosts tackled a a thorny topic. The concept of terroir in spirits.

    Introducing Tanuki Shochu's Founders (ep. 45)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2022 63:17


    In the 45th episode of the Japan Distilled podcast, your host Stephen Lyman has a fun chat with the founders of Africa's first shochu, Tanuki. Brought to South Africa by founders Brock Kuhlman and Ulrich Terblanche.

    founders africa south africa tanuki shochu stephen lyman japan distilled
    Sublime Satsuma Shochu (ep. 44)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2022 38:24


    In episode 44, our hosts finish a 3 part series into the WTO Geographic Indications with a deep dive into Satsuma Shochu, the Bordeaux of the Japanese spirits world.

    Tiny Iki Shochu (ep. 43)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2022 21:16


    In episode 43, our hosts continue a 3 part exploration into the WTO Geographic Indications for shochu made in Kyushu and surrounding islands. For this episode, we dive into Iki Shochu in particular.

    Elegant Kuma Shochu (Ep. 42)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2022 32:54


    In episode 42, our hosts begin a 3 part exploration into the World Trade Organization Geographic Indications for shochu made in Kyushu and surrounding islands. For this episode, we dive into Kuma Shochu in particular.

    Yeast is a Beast (Ep. 41)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2022 53:09


    In episode 41 of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman roll up their sleeves and dive back into a very specific aspect of alcohol production: the absolute necessity of yeast.

    beast yeast stephen lyman japan distilled
    Silly Liquor Laws (ep. 40)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2022 34:52


    In episode 40 of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman tackle the scintillating topic of absolutely absurd liquor laws in the United States. While this episode is very US-focused, we promise the episode will be entertaining for listeners worldwide who may enjoy listening to a couple of Yanks poke fun at their countrymen.

    united states laws silly liquor yanks stephen lyman japan distilled
    The Most Powerful Toji Guild (Ep. 39)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2022 42:57


    In episode 39 of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman introduce you to the most powerful toji guild in Japanese history, the Kurose Toji. This guild absolutely revolutionized and subsequently professionalized shochu production in the 20th century. And yet today, the guild has nearly disappeared with just a few remaining master brewer-distillers keeping their former powerhouse from going extinct.

    japanese powerful guild toji stephen lyman japan distilled
    Koji: the magical mold (ep. 38)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2022 47:11


    In episode 38 of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman dive into national mold of Japan. Without koji (aspergillus oryzae, kawachi, or awamori) there would not be a Japanese culinary tradition as we understand it today. Nor would there be the Japanese spirits we all know and love.

    japan japanese magical mold koji stephen lyman japan distilled

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