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DanseurVertical
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
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 Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:49 am Post subject: Re: shochu - Japanese soju |
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| Fox wrote: |
Because it's probably the most cost effective way to get drunk quickly? I've read that the cheap, terrible "soju" you're referring to here was the result of a temporary ban on using rice to make actual soju, but even now that said ban is no longer in effect, lots of people simply want to get sloshed at bargain prices. |
I know what you mean. I agree. But like I asked just above, why do Korean people not seem to make a soju for special occasions? Generally, there is a wide range of any quality for any liquor. But to find higher quality (but not necessarily smoother) soju, in the Seoul area one must visit a large supermarket.
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| I've seen higher quality soju stocked out here, and my village is quite out of the way. Andong soju is particularly famous, though it's alcohol content is much higher. |
There is a wide range of Andong soju, and I've only tried 3 different kinds from two distilleries in the city. It seems to range from 21% AVB to strong. Some are both strong and very expensive. I have also tried an oak-aged soju. It was not bad, but I was disappointed that it is a Lotte product.
At a liquor store in Korea, I see many super premium imports that I will never buy. I used to live in Taiwan, and a Taiwanese whisky maker has recently earned major international acclaim. Admittedly, they are making whisky and not a traditional drink. The price of their whisky also exceeds what I'm willing to spend. But I would think that in Korea, familiarity with high quality liquors would inspire someone to brew / distill a bottle of high quality soju that tastes smooth and interesting and retails for 10,000 won. |
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transmogrifier
Joined: 02 Jan 2012
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 4:05 am Post subject: |
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| DanseurVertical wrote: |
| transmogrifier wrote: |
| fezmond wrote: |
| Shochu is fucking horrible. That is all I have to say on the matter. (I hate soju to a lesser extent). |
Jesus, it must be atrocious to be worse than soju, which is probably the alcohol I hate the most. |
hmm, seems that someone didn't read later comments, or else just wanted an opportunity to express his distaste for bad soju  |
You mean the one directly above mine that agreed with the post I quoted? |
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transmogrifier
Joined: 02 Jan 2012
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 4:07 am Post subject: Re: shochu - Japanese soju |
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| DanseurVertical wrote: |
| The main point of my OP was to question why Korean people do not make or strive to make a soju for special occasions. |
Because I assume for special occasions they want something that tastes halfway decent. |
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DanseurVertical
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 4:37 am Post subject: |
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| transmogrifier wrote: |
| DanseurVertical wrote: |
| transmogrifier wrote: |
| fezmond wrote: |
| Shochu is fucking horrible. That is all I have to say on the matter. (I hate soju to a lesser extent). |
Jesus, it must be atrocious to be worse than soju, which is probably the alcohol I hate the most. |
hmm, seems that someone didn't read later comments, or else just wanted an opportunity to express his distaste for bad soju :P |
You mean the one directly above mine that agreed with the post I quoted? |
Agreed, there is not a consensus. But this is like people saying that Scotch is horrible. Maybe you've not had higher quality shochu? If you have, I can't fathom why you might find Jinro or Lotte soju to be better. |
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DanseurVertical
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 4:44 am Post subject: Re: shochu - Japanese soju |
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| transmogrifier wrote: |
| DanseurVertical wrote: |
| The main point of my OP was to question why Korean people do not make or strive to make a soju for special occasions. |
Because I assume for special occasions they want something that tastes halfway decent. |
The shochu I tasted in Japan was good. Unfortunately, I don't know its name.
If you think that cheap Korean soju is better than this, then there's not much to say further. |
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wishfullthinkng
Joined: 05 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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| 12ax7 wrote: |
| Why drink shochu when you can have excellent sake for about the same price? |
absolutely this. good sake is so much better than soju it's almost baffling how soju can taste so bad. |
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12ax7
Joined: 07 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 10:57 pm Post subject: |
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| wishfullthinkng wrote: |
| 12ax7 wrote: |
| Why drink shochu when you can have excellent sake for about the same price? |
absolutely this. good sake is so much better than soju it's almost baffling how soju can taste so bad. |
Yes, totally agree. Premium sake, like many Japanese food and drink, has an understated flavour. I've taste tested a variety of premium sake once and the difference in flavour between each brew was pleasantly subtle. |
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