If nothing else it’s a catchy name but in this case Tantakatan is so much more, it’s a tasty drink that features highly on my list of vices these days.
As part of my “Eating Better” plan for this year i’ve also had to look at what i’m drinking and while i can never replace beer i can reduce my intake considerably by drinking Tantakatun.
I can’t begin to describe the taste of it, i guess flowery would be a start. It’s very aromatic which makes it appealing and it can either be served straight or with water, i take mine with water as you can see here with my bottle keep at the local restaurant.
Tantakatun is in the Shochu family, a type of distilled beverage native to Japan and this particular one comes from Hokkaido with a main ingredient of Shiso.
I found this great website with quite a few reviews of the different type of Shochu on offer, they all differ greatly depending on the base product used to make it so bear that in mind.
This particular one is only 20% Alcohol so it doesn’t get you all that shabby …. mixing it with water is great for reducing the chance of a head ache too.
But like anything, it comes down to personal preference so next time you see a bottle and have no idea what it is, give it a crack, you might just be pleasantly surprised … as i have been with Tantakatun.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I love it too! Tantakatan what a name indeed! Let’s tatankatan all night!
Cheers
Glad to hear there’s more Tantakatan lovers out there!
I look forward to trying it but with a fair bit of water! The bottle is very attractive too, certainly would look better on the table than a shabby old beer bottle.
That it does … very unique and good to recognize anywhere you go.
Tantakatan certainly sounds interesting enough to get me curious (would be cool for bragging rights too). 20% alcohol is still higher than the Japanese imported stuff I find at my local store (they only have Sake).
Despite my claims it doesn’t give you a headache …… i’m a little rough this morning.
Maybe it was because I am not an alcohol drinker, but I gave a try to some shochu in Kyoto and had to drink some apple alcohol to over come the strong taste.
Some of the Shochu is very strong, it depends what it’s made with. I have another one called Mugi (pronounced Moogie) at another bar close by and that’s a very different taste .. made from Wheat / Barley. Will review that one next!
Ooooohhhh LOVE tantakatan!
It probably has something to do with the fact that I LOVE shiso!!!
Very glad i found Tantakatan … check this out. http://www.tantakatan.jp/
. . . and isn’t writing your name on the bottle so Japanese? Too funny!
Among the 30 or 40 bottles they need to know who’s bottle it is don’t they …
Next week i’ll roll out another bottle.
I’ve never tried it. I wonder how hard it is to find in the US.
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I remember buying this to take back to the hotel one night as a gift for a friend. But alas we got way drunk & decided to crack the bottle of shiso shochu as well.
I’m not a fan of shiso, but a big fan of shochu so it was a new experience.