In this episode, Maki and Simone catch up with good friend and TWTT faithful, Mr. David Cheek.

Those who frequent the TWTT Project Zoom sessions will know Dave for his enthusiasm, his 3 part questions and his dedication to keeping the Nijikai going after each session, but most importantly, for his undeniable love of sake.

There is no denying that sake has played a huge role in Dave's life for a long, long time - it was even how he met his wife, Miwa, who was managing True Sake in San Fransisco at that time.

Dave was born in the USA, in Tacoma, Washington. He then moved to Washington DC, then on to San Fransisco and now lives in Japan, in Hachioji, Tokyo.

Dave spent a couple of years working alongside Brian Hutto at Brian's sake bar in Yokohama, and later, opened Dozo Sake Bar with his wife, Miwa, in Hachioji.

Sadly, despite its success, Dozo Sake had to close their doors... and not long after that, the pandemic hit. When they were able to do so, they started doing Dozo Pop-up at Chef's, the restaurant where Miwa works as a cook, in Shinjuku.

More recently, Dave has started hosting a series of sake tasting workshops that look strongly sake vocabulary, moving away from lexicons and generic descriptions and making it personal - because it IS personal. He encourages those who attend his workshops to allow themselves to go on a journey with the sake, to have a conversation with the sake... so, we decided to have a conversation with Dave about the language of Nihonshu: 'Nihonshu-go'.

More information about Taste with the Toji - The Project can be found on our website: https://tastewiththetoji.com/

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Music by: Kazuyoshi Sato (Koikawa Shuzo)

Show notes:

What Dave was drinking:

Wataribune Junmai Ginjo 55

from Huchu Homare, Ibaraki Prefecture

Junmai Ginjo Muroka

Wataribune rice polished to 55%

Yeast #9

ABV: 15.5%

What Maki was drinking:

Chikurin Hoshioboro

from Marumoto Shuzo in Okayama Prefecture

Junmai Ginjo Muroka Nama

Polishing ratio: 60%

ABV: 17%

What Simone was drinking:

Ruri Karakusa

from Shintani Shuzo in Yamaguchi Prefecture

Junmai Ginjo Muroka Nama Genshu

Polishing ratio: 60%

ABV: 16%