Meet the Team: Erika Haigh 🎙️🍶

In this episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour podcast, we’re delighted to introduce Erika Haigh, a key figure in the world of sake education and Japanese drinking culture. Born and raised in Japan, Erika’s love for sake has taken her across the globe, and she now calls London home. As an international kikisake-shi sommelier (SSI), Erika is dedicated to showcasing the beauty and complexity of Japanese sake to the world.

Erika is the founder of Mai, a boutique Japanese fine sake merchant, and co-owner of Moto, the UK’s first independent Japanese sake bar, shop, and eatery. She holds WSET Level 3 qualifications in both wine and sake, and serves as a sake judge in the prestigious International Wine Challenge. In addition to her roles in the UK, Erika is a committee member for the British Sake Association and advises on sake projects for companies in both Japan and the UK.

Tune in to hear Erika’s incredible journey, the challenges she’s faced, and how she’s contributing to the growth of sake culture in the UK and beyond. Whether you’re a seasoned sake fan or just curious about the world of Japanese drinks, Erika’s insights are a must-listen!

Bottles Mentioned:

Summer Eikun 🍶 - https://www.maisake.com/shop/p/summer-eikun

Erika’s Businesses:

Mai Sake - https://www.maisake.com/

Moto - https://motoldn.com/

Social Media

Instagram: @_erikahaigh

🎙️🍶 The State of Japanese Shochu with Special Guest Christopher Pellegrini Part 2 🇯🇵✨

In our latest episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome industry expert and Shochu ambassador Christopher Pellegrini! 🌟

Christopher, the founder of Honkaku Spirits and a certified Shochu sommelier, joins us to dive deep into the current state of Japanese Shochu and explore its future in the global market. 🍶🌍 With years of experience advocating for this traditional Japanese spirit, Christopher shares his insights on Shochu’s growing international presence and its potential to transform the cocktail scene.

Joining Christopher is our host Samuel Boulton, author of The Art of Mixing Koji Cocktails, Arline Lyons and Camilla Bonnannini as they discuss trends, challenges, and exciting opportunities for Shochu lovers and bartenders alike. Whether you’re new to Shochu or a seasoned fan, this episode is packed with expert tips, market insights, and ideas for mixing Shochu into your favorite drinks. 🍸🍹

Tune in to learn more about Shochu’s unique qualities, its cultural significance, and how it’s poised to make a big splash in the world of spirits! 🎧🍶

🎙️🍶 The State of Japanese Shochu with Special Guest Christopher Pellegrini 🇯🇵✨

In our latest episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome industry expert and Shochu ambassador Christopher Pellegrini! 🌟

Christopher, the founder of Honkaku Spirits and a certified Shochu sommelier, joins us to dive deep into the current state of Japanese Shochu and explore its future in the global market. 🍶🌍 With years of experience advocating for this traditional Japanese spirit, Christopher shares his insights on Shochu’s growing international presence and its potential to transform the cocktail scene.

Joining Christopher is our host Samuel Boulton, author of The Art of Mixing Koji Cocktails, Arline Lyons and Camilla Bonnannini as they discuss trends, challenges, and exciting opportunities for Shochu lovers and bartenders alike. Whether you’re new to Shochu or a seasoned fan, this episode is packed with expert tips, market insights, and ideas for mixing Shochu into your favorite drinks. 🍸🍹

Tune in to learn more about Shochu’s unique qualities, its cultural significance, and how it’s poised to make a big splash in the world of spirits! 🎧🍶

Welcome to the next mini episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour podcast!

In this episode, we’re excited to introduce Sarah Stewart, a key member of our team and a true expert in the world of all things Japanese drinks. With nearly 20 years of experience in Japanese tea, Sarah’s entry into the sake world in 2019 has quickly established her as one of the leading experts in Europe and she is now a WSET Certified Sake Educator and head of sake programming at West London Wine School as well as one of the three global instructors for the Sake Scholar Course. Her passion for knowledge and her keen eye for detail have earned her recognition throughout the industry, as well as admiration from her fellow podcast co-hosts. Join us as we explore Sarah’s journey from tea to sake, and discover how her expertise in one beverage has enhanced her appreciation for the other. Whether you’re a Japanese tea connoisseur, sake enthusiast, or just love learning from passionate experts, Sarah’s insights are sure to inspire. Tune in for an enlightening episode filled with knowledge, enthusiasm, and plenty of interesting stories!

🎙️🍶 Exploring Shochu in Mixed Drinks with Jane Nam 🇯🇵✨

In the latest episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast, we’re excited to welcome special guest Jane Nam! 🌟 Jane is a talented bartender from NYC with a background in cooking, now working at two top bars in the city. She’s on a mission to spread the word about Shochu, collaborating with Honkaku Spirits to introduce this amazing Japanese spirit to New Yorkers. 🍸🍶

Joining Jane is our host Samuel Boulton, author of The Art of Mixing Koji Cocktails, and regular guest Sarah Stewart, a passionate Shochu cocktail enthusiast. Together, they explore the major categories of Shochu and share insider tips on how to mix them into delicious cocktails, perfect for both beginners and seasoned Shochu lovers! 🍶🍹

Brands Mentioned

Koji Whisky - Takamine 8 year

Iichiko Mugi Shochu

Daiyame (lychee heavy Shochu)

Kimura Shuzo Daiginjo Kasutori

Aokage Mugi Shochu

Lento Kokuto Shochu

Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur

Bars Mentioned

Moto (London)

Agency of Record (NYC)

Shinglish (NYC)

The Pineapple Club (Birmingham)

💡 Links and Resources:

• ​ ⁠Honkaku Spirits⁠
• ​ The Art of Mixing Koji Cocktails by Samuel Boulton
• ​ The Shochu Handbook by Christopher Pellegrini

🎙️🍶 Exploring Shochu in Mixed Drinks with Jane Nam 🇯🇵✨

In the latest episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast, we’re excited to welcome special guest Jane Nam! 🌟 Jane is a talented bartender from NYC with a background in cooking, now working at two top bars in the city. She’s on a mission to spread the word about Shochu, collaborating with Honkaku Spirits to introduce this amazing Japanese spirit to New Yorkers. 🍸🍶

Joining Jane is our host Samuel Boulton, author of The Art of Mixing Koji Cocktails, and regular guest Sarah Stewart, a passionate Shochu cocktail enthusiast. Together, they explore the major categories of Shochu and share insider tips on how to mix them into delicious cocktails, perfect for both beginners and seasoned Shochu lovers! 🍶🍹

Brands Mentioned
Koji Whisky - Takamine 8 year

Iichiko Mugi Shochu

Daiyame (lychee heavy Shochu)
Kimura Shuzo Daiginjo Kasutori
Aokage Mugi Shochu
Lento Kokuto Shochu
Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur

Bars Mentioned
Moto (London)
Agency of Record (NYC)
Shinglish (NYC)

The Pineapple Club (Birmingham)

💡 Links and Resources:

• Honkaku Spirits

• The Art of Mixing Koji Cocktails by Samuel Boulton

• The Shochu Handbook by Christopher Pellegrini

Welcome to the next mini episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour podcast! In this episode, we introduce you to Arline Lyons, an integral member of our team. Originally from Ireland, Arline stumbled upon her passion for sake through her work as a Japanese to English translator. What began as translating wine texts soon evolved into a deep love for nihonshu, fueled by the passionate people she met in the sake industry. Join us as we explore Arline’s journey from translation to becoming a key figure in the sake world, hosting events and sharing lesser-known stories through her sake news newsletter. Whether you’re a seasoned sake enthusiast or new to the world of Japanese beverages, Arline’s story will captivate and enlighten you. Tune in and immerse yourself in the world of sake with us!

In the second episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast, host Samuel Boulton explores sake tourism in the Hyogo and Osaka areas with regular host, Arline Lyons and special guest Andrew Russell. Andrew is a Kurabito at Kenbishi Brewery in Nada. Andrew, who also runs Sake Origin Tours, shares his insider knowledge on the region’s rich sake culture. Tune in to discover the unique experiences and hidden gems that make sake tourism in these areas a must for any enthusiast.