Awamori
Awamori sake in original bottles
Awamori is the famous Okinawan strong alcohol, often nearly 50% in vol. Awamori is distilled from rice but has totally different substance to western distilled drinks, as the distillation process is much more carefull techniques. Awamori has a delicious taste which has a faint reminder of taste of sake.
Many Japanese often bring awamori as a souvenir when visiting Okinawa, but it isn't only tied to Okinawa, in fact there are plenty of common brands found everywhere in Japan.
The name awamori could come from the bubbles appearing during the distillation process. More bubbles appear, more higher the level of alcohol in the final product would be. However, some say that the name doesnt come from the bubbles but the word "awa" meaning millet, a raw material which was used to make awamori long time ago. Nowadays awamori is completely made from rice. In the old times awamori used to be called as "island sake" (shima-zake), or simply shima.
Usually awamori is enjoyed from clay vase. In restaurant, it is most popular way is to drink it with water and ice. Also you can drink it with hot water in Japanese bars.
