Sake On Air

20/11/2025

We are back with a new episode of Sake On Air, and this week we are welcoming Liam McNulty, the man behind nomunication.jp and a standing member of the Tokyo Whisky and Spirits Competition (TWSC) managing committee! 🥃

He is joining Frank to talk all things shochu, going over how shochu is defined, judged at TWSC, and what he thinks the future looks like for this remarkable spirit.

We also touch on koji-based whiskies, shochu-based gins, and the blending of ideas from both the spirits and shochu world, so make sure to tune in here: https://sakeonair.com/2025/11/20/koji-casks-a-discussion-about-shochu-and-whisky-with-liam-mcnulty/ or click on the link in our bio 😉

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!

20/11/2025

We are back with a new episode of Sake On Air, and this week we are welcoming Liam McNulty, the man behind nomunication.jp and a standing member of the Tokyo Whisky and Spirits Competition (TWSC) managing committee! 🥃

He is joining Frank to talk all things shochu, going over how shochu is defined, judged at TWSC, and what he thinks the future looks like for this remarkable spirit.

We also touch on koji-based whiskies, shochu-based gins, and the blending of ideas from both the spirits and shochu world, so make sure to tune in here: https://sakeonair.com/2025/11/20/koji-casks-a-discussion-about-shochu-and-whisky-with-liam-mcnulty/

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!

15/11/2025

We are back with a new episode of Sake On Air, in which we had the pleasure of interviewing Philip Harper! 🔥

Philip is the first non-Japanese person to become a toji at a brewery in Japan, and his impact on the world of sake cannot be overstated. So in this episode, our hosts, Cindy Bissig, Chris Pellegrini, and Frank Walter, travelled all the way to the top of Kyoto Prefecture to visit Philip at his brewery, and what a visit it was!

Philip opened up about his beginnings in the sake world, how he came to join Kinosh*ta Brewery, and the philosophy behind how he creates the taste of the iconic brand, and he also revealed how he recommends drinking Tamagawa sake 😉

Make sure to tune in here: https://sakeonair.com/2025/11/07/talking-sake-with-toji-philip-harper-at-kinosh*ta-brewery/ or click on the link in our bio…

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!

#古酒

15/11/2025

We are back with a new episode of Sake On Air, in which we had the pleasure of interviewing Philip Harper! 🔥

Philip is the first non-Japanese person to become a toji at a brewery in Japan, and his impact on the world of sake cannot be overstated. So in this episode, our hosts, Cindy Bissig, Chris Pellegrini, and Frank Walter, travelled all the way to the top of Kyoto Prefecture to visit Philip at his brewery, and what a visit it was!

Philip opened up about his beginnings in the sake world, how he came to join Kinosh*ta Brewery, and the philosophy behind how he creates the taste of the iconic brand, and he also revealed how he recommends drinking Tamagawa sake 😉

Make sure to tune in here: https://sakeonair.com/2025/11/07/talking-sake-with-toji-philip-harper-at-kinosh*ta-brewery/

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!

05/11/2025

Applications are now open - don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to learn more about Sake and Shochu! 😉

This is an official educational course organized by the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association with the support of National Tax Agency, National Research Institute of Brewing and Brewing Society of Japan in Japan. This course is designed to provide the advanced correct knowledge of Japanese tradit...

27/10/2025

We are back with a new episode of Sake on Air this week! 🎉

This time, Miho Ota chats with Spanish sake educator Elvira Aldaz about their exciting three-day sake trip to Fukushima. They visited 9 breweries in under 72 hours, exploring the region’s unique climate, culture, and brewing traditions that make Fukushima sake so special. Elvira also shares her experience at Gakkogura’s immersive sake brewing workshop on Sado Island.🍶✨

Tune in to hear behind-the-scenes stories, tasting impressions, and insights from this incredible adventure here via the link in our bio 😉

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!

24/10/2025

We are back with a new episode of Sake on Air this week! 🎉

This time, Miho Ota chats with Spanish sake educator Elvira Aldaz about their exciting three-day sake trip to Fukushima. They visited 9 breweries in under 72 hours, exploring the region’s unique climate, culture, and brewing traditions that make Fukushima sake so special. Elvira also shares her experience at Gakkogura's immersive sake brewing workshop on Sado Island.🍶✨

Tune in to hear behind-the-scenes stories, tasting impressions, and insights from this incredible adventure here: https://sakeonair.com/2025/10/15/visiting-fukushima-sake-breweries-with-miho-and-elvira/

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!

18/10/2025

Tune in for a new Episode of Sake on Air as we just released our episode 146: The Changing of the Guard at Fujii Shuzo! 🎙️

Join Sebastien and Big Chris as they had the chance to talk to Norihiro Fujii of Fujji Shuzo, makers of Ryusei. Their conversation was wide-ranging: covering the history of the brewery and his decision to change the whole production to all kimoto brewing! 🍶

Curious to find out more? Tune in here: https://sakeonair.com/2025/10/09/the-changing-of-the-guard-at-fujii-shuzo/

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air 😉

Until then, kampai!

04/10/2025

Just in time for Sake Day - We are back with a new podcast episode! 🍶 🎊

Join Marie, Miho, and Frank as they sit down at 日本の酒情報館 Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center for this special occasion and try three hiyaoroshi sake with various pairings 🍂

We hope that as you give it a listen, you pour yourself a glass and taste along with us.

So make sure to tune in here: https://sakeonair.com/2025/10/01/happy-sake-day/

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!

26/09/2025

Recording a special episode of Sake On Air at the 日本の酒情報館 Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center ahead of Sake Day! 🍶✨

This time, Marie, Miho, and Frank dived into the theme of hiyaoroshi! They tasted three very different styles, tried them warmed, paired them with casual snacks, and before they knew it… more than two hours had flown by!

Stay tuned for the full podcast episode to be released soon...

19/09/2025

Our friends at 日本の酒情報館 Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center have let us know that they just stocked their shelves with an incredible lineup of Hiyaoroshi sake — available only from September to October.

If you’re in Tokyo this autumn, don’t miss the chance to pop into their tasting room for a chance to savor some of those limited-time and often only-available-in-Japan seasonal sake. 🍂🇯🇵