Brian Ashcraft’s Japanese Whisky Guide Is A Must-Read Book For Whisky Lovers

15th Jul 202015th Jul 2020 yamatomagazine1 Comment

It’s no secret that Japanese whisky has taken the world by storm, regularly fetching high prices at auctions and earning award after award, captivating the hearts and bank accounts of whisky lovers from all walks of life. But this wasn’t always the case.

There was a time not so long ago when Japanese whisky was looked down on as inferior to other whisky varieties like scotch and bourbon. So, what changed? The answers can be found in Brian Ashcraft’s brilliant Japanese Whisky: The Ultimate Guide To The World’s Most Desirable Spirit.

Packed full of insight and history, this is a must-read book for anyone with even a passing interest in whisky and Japanese culture.

Continue reading “Brian Ashcraft’s Japanese Whisky Guide Is A Must-Read Book For Whisky Lovers” →

Book Reviews

South Of The Border, West Of The Sun Review: A Dream-Like And Radiant Love Story

25th Jan 202025th Jan 2020 yamatomagazine4 Comments

South Of The Border, West Of The Sun book review.

Haruki Murakami is arguably the most well-known Japanese author in the west. His unique writing style has captured the attention of readers all over the world and one of his most memorable books is South Of The Border, West Of The Sun.

Focusing on the relationship between two childhood friends who reconnect in their thirties, South Of The Border, West Of The Sun contains all the classic tropes of a Murakami novel. There’s jazz, joy, heartbreak and the indomitable willpower of the human spirit to go after what it yearns for. Continue reading “South Of The Border, West Of The Sun Review: A Dream-Like And Radiant Love Story” →

Book Reviews

The Shochu Handbook Review: Enter The World Of Shochu And Awamori With This Epic Drinking Guide

4th Sep 20194th Sep 2019 yamatomagazine10 Comments

What I love about Japanese alcohol is the range of versatile drinks, which run the gamut from sweet tasting nihonshu, to fiery whiskeys that have been made with Japanese brewing techniques. It turns out there’s this pretty awesome drink called shochu as well.

When learning about this flexible beverage, it’s a good idea to go to an expert, which is why I picked up Christopher Pellegrini’s The Shochu Handbook: An Introduction To Japan’s Indigenous Distilled Drink. In the book, Pellegrini tells you everything you need to know about shochu and why it needs to be on the radar of casual drinkers, sake nerds and alcohol experts alike. Continue reading “The Shochu Handbook Review: Enter The World Of Shochu And Awamori With This Epic Drinking Guide” →