Haamonii Smooth | World’s smoothest shochuWorld’s smoothest shochu

As you can imagine, we were very excited about the article that was printed in the San Francisco Chronicle last Friday, 10/17. Of course, we were happy to see that Haamonii was the favorite among two Food and Wine staff tasters but more importantly, however, was the fact that Cindy Lee was able to capture so well the current and continued popularity associated with the global joy of shochu. The most exciting thing about the article is the fact that we hope it will increase awareness of shochu in general. There are shochu and sojus for each and every taste and not all are for everyone. The simple idea is that you should try it regardless of brand… and don’t forget to “pour for others and not self” (an ancient Asian tradition carried on to guarantee you’ll never drink alone).

Here are a few key notes from the article:

• In Japan,… the consumption of shochu, a distilled beverage made from a variety of starches and grains, has exceeded that of sake.

• Around this time, in 1998, a Japanese medical researcher published a paper claiming that shochu activated enzymes that inhibited the growth of blood clots and prevented strokes and heart attacks.

• Here in the Bay Area, Takahashi reported an increase in demand for shochu within the past five years, especially in Japanese markets, pubs known as izakayas and other Asian restaurants.

• “It goes well with all types of food,”

• This trend is echoed in other parts of the world (E.g. London, Australia, New York)

• It is a clear spirit that can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks with a squeeze of lemon, mixed with hot or cold water, with tea, or in a mixed drink.

• Because of its similarities in composition, appearance and usage, shochu is sometimes marketed in the United States as Japanese vodka. This can be misleading because shochu generally has a much lower alcohol content than vodka.

• The result [shochu] is a spirit that Lim says is “smoother than vodka and more versatile.

• There are two classifications of shochu: koshu (grade A) and otsushu (grade B). Like vodka and Korean soju (see “A guide to shochu,” this page), the koshu type is distilled multiple times, resulting in a odorless and flavorless beverage.

• In addition to its smoothness and versatility, shochu possesses another important virtue; it is low in calories. A 2-ounce serving of shochu contains about 35 calories. Compare that to about 120 calories for 2 ounces of vodka and 80 calories for 2 ounces of sake.

• Others recognize the appeal of shochu as a lighter base for mixed drinks. “It tastes like you are drinking a drink, but it is not as overpowering as say a gin and tonic, both in flavor and punch,” says Deutchman.

Thank you to all those that have supported Haamonii Smooth. We look forward to continuing our effort to share the world’s smoothest shochu with you.

Thank you to Mike and Karen Politz, the passionate owners of D&M Wine and Spirits for putting us front and center on their new website as staff favorites:

D&M always keeps a stock of Haamonii and is the best place to get Haamonii in your hands right away in San Francisco!

Thanks to Mr. Josh at Ozumo (award winning sushi restaurant voted to San Francisco Chronicle’s Top 100), Haamonii Smooth shochu (soju) will now be served as a part of the very popular happy hour.

Come enjoy Haamonii on the rocks or in special Ozumo cocktail.

Order by name, Haamonii, we’re right on the menu.

Directly from Le-Shack’s website, here are a few more delicious Haamonii Smooth cocktails to add to your bar collection:

Haamonii Lemon Mangotini

Haamonii Smooth Ginger

We wanted to thank everyone for stopping by our booth hosted by our distributor Le Shack at the Sydney Bar Show 08. As always, we appreciate feedback and welcome any thoughts that you may have for us. Contact us for any reason.

Also, don’t forget to take a look at the new website that our Australian distributor has. Simply click on the image below:

A hip spot in gritty Tenderloin District, Brick restaurant and bar (award winning restaurant with exposed brick walls, open kitchen, and contemporary American cuisine) has just released their new cocktail menu.

A kind thank you to Matt Budesa, GM of Brick, for his support.

Haamonii Smooth Lemon is being featured in one of their cocktails name ‘Ginger Sizzle’. Give it a taste. Combined with the amazingly delicious food created by Executive Chef, Alex Marsh, it will make for a distinctly enjoyable experience.

Brick’s amazing Executive Chef: Alex Marsh

Check out the latest word on Haamonii brought to you by The Good Life:

“Le Shack presents Haamonii”

Look out for us this week at the Sydney Bar Show 08′!

Thanks to our friends at Le-Shack for bringing Haamonii Smooth ultra premium shochu (soju) to Australia! We look forward to pouring Haamonii in Sydney and Melbourne in the months to come.

As always, share with us your feedback as to how we can serve everyone best in Australia.

Remember to pour for others and not self.

For convenience, here is the contact information for Le-Shack who is happy to answer any questions that you may have about our distribution.

Le Shack Pty. Ltd.
PO Box 616
Darlinghurst
NSW 1300
AUSTRALIA

Email: info@le-shack.com
Tel: +61 2 9380 2071
Fax: +61 2 9380 2017

Thanks to Midori Willoughby, Producer of kontentreal, we are proudly participating in the world premiere of The Art and Science of Renzo Piano and New Orleans: The Water Line both part of the critically-acclaimed PBS series: e²: the economies of being environmentally conscious

Kontentreal

kontentreal is a multidisciplinary production company whose films and documentaries are principally concerned with contemporary environmental issues and sustainability. Karena Albers and Tad Fettig founded the company 2004 with the aim that, through film, they could awaken a sense of environmental stewardship in viewers. The company is based in New York City.

Can’t thank the Wish Bar enough for featuring Haamonii Smooth in not only one of their signature cocktails, but now TWO of them! Knowing how valuable ‘bar menu real estate’ is, it’s quite an honor. So if you’re ever in SOMA in the city, be sure to stop by the Wish Bar and sample one of ‘em (or better yet, both of ‘em;)!

The latest cocktail list at Wish Bar in SOMA. Haamonii x 2