COVERCHORD CULTURE

Bar Kurage Interview
Good Spirits for the Good Life

n keeping with its ethos of “living the good life”, COVERCHORD now offers a range of liquors. COVERCHORD interviewed Wataru Iizuka, barkeeper of “Bar Kurage” in Shimokitazawa, to ask him about the appeal of spirits and his personal recommendations.

Bar Kurage
A place where people can discover the world of spirits.

Shimokitazawa has been, and still is, one of Tokyo’s most renowned bohemian districts, attracting visitors from within Japan and further afar. It is also home to a certain bar that provides its patrons with a place to sit and enjoy a relaxed drink, as well as the opportunity to discover many exquisite spirits.

Bar Kurage opened in 2021 in “Shimokita Senrogai”, a new development that sits on the site of the old above-ground Odakyu train lines. It opened upon the request of the then newly built “MUSTARD™ HOTEL Shimokitazawa” as its adjoining bar.

As you walk in, you are greeted by a friendly interior and good music playing from the high quality sound system. The counter has a welcoming atmosphere, as tourists staying in the hotel and local regulars, sit and enjoy chatting with barkeeper Wataru Iizuka.

The bar offers a selection of your standard drinks such as craft beers, natural wines and homemade lemon sour, while at the same time, if you glance up at the shelves behind the counter you will also be impressed by the extensive and expertly selected array of spirits.

Bar Kurage is at once a friendly space where anyone can enjoy a relaxed drink and a place to discover the world of fine spirits.

Why spirits?

Put simply, spirits are liquors that have been distilled from alcohol that has been brewed by fermentation using yeast.

The distillation process reduces the sugar and calorie content of the beverage, while retaining the rich aromas of the base ingredients. Another attraction of spirits is that they can be enjoyed in many different ways, depending on how you serve them.

Bar Kurage’s lineup is based on a selection of spirits from southern Japan and Mexico, including a range of shochus, such as kokutoshochu from Amami, as well as awamori from Okinawa, and Mexican mezcal and 100% agave tequila. The intent behind this selection is to serve popular liquors that customers of the hotel may already be familiar with, such as mezcal and tequila, while at the same time introducing them to “the unique Japanese culture of shochu and awamori”.

Bar Kurage also hopes to address the misconceptions held by many who, without having ever tried the real thing, are convinced that they will not enjoy spirits, because they think they are only for drinking as part of a dare, or that spirits are too strong and will make them feel unwell. Bar Kurage devotes its passion and expertise surrounding liquors to teaching people about the real charms of fine spirits from Japan and around the world.

“Being lectured about the beverage you’re drinking is no fun.” Iizuka is always careful to take his customers’ mood into account and to make his recommendations gently. As the spirits have all been carefully selected, there’s no question about their quality and Iizuka creates a relaxed atmosphere in the bar while masterfully making recommendations for his customers.

This perfect balance means Bar Kurage will continue to be a highlight of Shimokitazawa’s nightlife, a place where people come to relax and enjoy a drink.

Select Spirits
By Wataru Iizuka of Bar Kurage

Shochu

Yamada Distillery
Nagakumo Ichibanbashi

Recommended by Wataru Iizuka! Bestselling “Nagakumo”.
Great care is taken during the process of melting the brown sugar for this shochu giving it an intensely fragrant flavour and aroma that finishes with just the right amount of sweetness.

Tomita Distillery
Rankan

An exquisite spirit made by ageing unfiltered unprocessed Sake for approximately two years.
This shochu has a strong aroma and a complex flavour full of concentrated “umami” with a sharp finish.
As the sweetness of the brown sugar itself is quite prominent, “on the rocks” is the recommended way to enjoy this liquor. It has a very smooth texture despite its high alcohol content.

Komaki Distillery
Beni Komaki

Imo shochu is normally made with a variety of sweet potato called “Koganesengan”, known for its high starch content - starch being the component that is converted into alcohol through the shochu making process. However, “Beni Komaki” uses red sweet potatoes, commonly used for cooking, as its base ingredient.
Also, it uses Koji (malted rice) made with a variety of rice known as Hinohikari, which is also normally used in cooking. The sweet texture of these ingredients is very distinctive.
 It makes a truly delicious beverage when mixed in equal parts with Umeshufrom the same distillery, and served with soda water.

Awamori

Zuisen Distillery
SHO ZUISEN

An awamori with tropical passionfruit notes from the rice Koji and a refreshingly clear sweetness. Sho Zuisen was first made in the autumn of 2019 to further advance awamori culture and to make sure that it’s passed on to the next generation. It is the latest in the long history of Japan’s oldest spirit, awamori.

Miyazato Distillery
Harusame Kari

An awamori from Miyazato Distillery that has been aged for two to three years.
Characterised by its slow-release rich vanilla aroma. It has a very soft texture despite having an alcohol content of 30%, and its deep and intense flavour has the range of a fermented wine.

Sakimoto Distillery
Yonaguni Kubamaki

Normally awamori must have an alcohol content of 43, 35, 25 or 20 ABV, however on Yonaguni, the most western island of Japan, the production of a special 60% ABV awamori is permitted for funerals, weddings and other ceremonial occasions. A popular drink even amongst awamori connoisseurs.
Its flowery aroma and fragrant taste have captivated many customers. Best enjoyed on the rocks, sipped slowly as your mind travels to a festival in Yonaguni.

Mezcal

ALIPUS
ALIPUS SAN MIGUEL

The brand “ALIPUS” was created to provide an experience of the influence of “terroir” on the flavour of mezcal.
ALIPUS collaborated with six well-known traditional distilleries from mezcal producing regions to offer liquor from each of their labels.
The brand was founded by the renowned “Los Danzantes” distillery, so you can be assured of the quality. This project was started in 2013 in collaboration with a distillery in the San Miguel region.
Traditional clay pots are used for the distillation process giving this mezcal its distinctive earthy aroma. A liquor that embodies the complexities of the world of mezcal.
Alipus San Miguel is made using a blend of Espadín and the fruity Arroqueno agave varieties.

AMORES
AMORES ESPADIN

A mezcal made with the only variety of agave that can be farmed - “Espadín”. Its soft and fragrant honey aroma incorporates the mineral and wild tones of Espadín. Opening with a gentle flavour that gives way to a dry finish for an elegant balance.

BARRO DE COBRE
BARRO DE COBRE ESPADIN

A spirit that has captured the hearts of its fans, with some customers coming to Bar Kurage in search of it.
Mezcal’s special aroma and flavour is achieved by roasting “piña” for 4 to 6 days in an earthen oven. The piña is the heart of the Espadín plant and weighs on average 100 kilos.
Both clay and copper pots are used for the distillation process, creating a smokey and rustic flavour.

TEQUILA

123 ORGANIC TEQUILA
UNO / DOS / TRES

123 (Uno Dos Tres) SPIRITS was founded by tequila craftsman David Ravandi in 2010.
His premium lineup is made with certified organic blue agave, using a sustainable and environmentally friendly production process.

“1(UNO) -BLANCO” is unripe and green. It incorporates tones of fresh agave. A crisp aroma with hints of lemon peel, black pepper, and mineral. Smooth like milk, with a slight kick of sweetness in its long finish. Makes a very refreshing beverage when mixed with soda water.

“2 (DOS) - RESPOSADO” is matured in an oak barrel for 6 months giving it its clear and natural colour. Salted caramel, creme brûlée, toffee aromas. You will taste the agave aroma first, with a minty anise finish. This tequila has the most elaborate flavour in the lineup.

“3 (TRES) ANEJO”, aged for 18 months in oak barrels for a prominent woody character. It opens with notes of tannin and wood to the nose, giving way to more rich caramel and chocolate elements.

CÓDIGO 1530
BLANCO / ROSA
REPOSADO / AÑEJO / ORIGEN

A family-owned distillery, located in a small town called Amatitán, that has been protected by generations of local craftsmen. A natural tequila that only uses 100% pure blue agave and contains no additives, sweeteners, flavouring, colouring, or chemicals.

Enjoy the pure flavour of the green “BLANCO”. Characterised by its citrus sweetness and earthy mineral tones.

“ROSA” is aged in quality French White Oak wine barrels used for the Cabernet Sauvignon of Napa Valley. A slight pink colour and a flowery fresh aroma.

“REPOSADO”, “AÑEJO” and “ORIGEN EXTRA AÑEJO” that are aged in hand charred barrels. Enjoy the three different levels of maturity.

Live the good life with COVERCHORD - now offering a range of liquors. A wide selection available, including the labels introduced in this interview.

VIEW MORE