Written by: Alex Green

“The light music of whiskey falling into glasses made an agreeable interlude,” James Joyce wrote in The Dubliners.

The other night at Bar Shiru in Oakland, whiskey and music came together in what was more than merely an agreeable interlude–it was a rich and textured experience filled with sophistication and soul.

Dubbed “Sip To The Sounds” the Kikori-hosted event at the popular Telegraph Avenue Hi-fi listening bar featured four unique drinks featuring Kikori-whiskey all presented in inventive iterations and creatively paired with songs chosen by the legendary Bay Area DJ Dan The Automator.

Playing numbers by Radiohead, Can, DJ Shadow and New Order, the innovative cocktails created by Adam Stemmler and Robbie Conroy boasted ingredients ranging from fuji apple white tea reduction to espresso liqueur to choya umeshu.

Kikori’s Ann Soh Woods introduced the event by giving a background about the 100% rice distilled brand, which is made in Kumamoto, located on the Japanese island Kyushu.