Holy Sake

The Japanese word for alcohol is sake, but the word for what we call sakein America is nihonshu. Then there is shochu which is more like a whiskey than a wine. It's the preferred drink on Kyushu, more common than nihonshu. Shochu is most often found in the mugi (barley) or imo (potato) varieties. Potato has a much stronger and harsher smell and taste. This is very special shochu because "there is a god inside of it." That's why it is in this special pot and is served with a special wooden ladle. It is potato, but very high quality, so still easy to drink. Potato shochu is usually too strong for me, but this was nice.