Japan Distilled

Japan Distilled

Christopher Pellegrini, Stephen Lyman

Episodes 95
Avg. Duration 39m
Activity Moderate
Apple Rating 5.0 (56)
Since Dec 2020
Latest Episode Mar 2026

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Features Guests

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
43%
Hosting
rss.libsyn.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

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.

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Recent Episodes

S6E93 Zainin Shimazake: new shochu brand (ep. 93)

Mar 24, 2026 44m

In episode 93 of the Japan Distilled podcast, your host Stephen Lyman interviews Vincent Nicol, the creator of Zainin Shochu, a new Tokyo Shimzake.

S5E92 The Latest Shochu GI: Tokyo Shimazake (ep. 92)

Nov 20, 2025 32m

In episode 92 of the Japan Distilled podcast, your hosts Christopher Pellegrini and Stephen Lyman take a journey to the Izu Islands to explore Tokyo Shimazake, the latest WTO GI for Honkaku Shochu.

S5E91 International Shochu Day (ep. 91)

Oct 20, 2025 24m

In episode 91, our hosts explain the history of International Shochu Day (Nov. 1) as well as run through some upcoming events surrounding this annual celebration.

S5E90 Talking Kagoshima Shochu Culture with Maya Aley (ep. 90)

Jul 20, 2025 1h 3m

In episode 90, Stephen and Christopher chat with Maya Aley of Shochu Bar Roku about Kagoshima shochu culture.

S5E89 The Spirit of Japan: interview with director Joseph Overbey (ep. 89)

Jul 02, 2025 47m

In episode 89, Stephen chats with his longtime friend and collaborator Joseph Overbey about their upcoming film, The Spirit of Japan.

S5E88 Shochu Live #1 @ Umami Mart (ep. 88)

Jun 20, 2025 38m

In episode 88, Stephen chats with Kayoko Akabori of Umami Mart about the 1st ever American shochu festival! Shochu Live will be held on June 28th in Oakland, CA.

S5E87 Live Show! Koji Spirits Chat at Charleston Wine & Food Festival (ep. 87)

May 22, 2025 1h 13m

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…

S5E86 Surgeon General's Warning (ep. 86)

Mar 25, 2025 23m

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.

S5E86 Okay, so who is Stephen Lyman? (ep. 85)

Jan 21, 2025 47m

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

S5E84 Who is Christopher Pellegrini? (ep. 84)

Jan 14, 2025 45m

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

S4E83 Big News! UNESCO Koji Fermentation is an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ep. 83)

Dec 31, 2024 34m

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

S4E82 Talking Koji Cocktails with Grant Lavrenz (ep. 82)

Sep 26, 2024 35m

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.

S4E81 Nankai Shochu: a conversation with founder Paul Nakayama (ep. 81)

Aug 28, 2024 53m

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.

S4E80 The SG Shochu (ep. 80)

Jul 23, 2024 28m

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

S4E79 Gateway Shochu + Simple Serves (ep. 79)

Jul 09, 2024 44m

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.

S4E78 The Bartender's Pantry: a chat with Jim Meehan (ep. 78)

Jun 04, 2024 54m

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.

S4E77 The Death of the Soju Label Rule: a chat with Chef turned Lobbyist John McCarthy (ep. 77)

May 22, 2024 50m

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,…

S4E76 The First Australian Shochu: interview with Hamish Nugent of Reed & Co. Distillery

Apr 30, 2024 46m

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.

S4E75 The Iconoclastic Chuko Distillery (ep. 75)

Apr 10, 2024 45m

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

S4E74 Whisky Rising: a chat with author Stefan VanEycken (ep. 74)

Mar 28, 2024 40m

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Japan Distilled have?

Japan Distilled has published 95 episodes since December 2020, covering topics in Arts, Food.

Is Japan Distilled still active?

Japan Distilled is currently moderate with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 39m.

How do I contact Japan Distilled for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Japan Distilled, including email and social media links.

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