December 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Kirin Beer representatives visited the home of GACKT, who has the finest palate in the industry
to have him do a tasting of Nodogoshi STRONG, which was to be launched on 22 January 2019.

Movie
Tasting Movie
Keen tasting by GACKT!
The shocking conclusion here!

Spin-off Movie
A sudden invitation to a BBQ by GACKT after the shoot!
Shopping, speaking in fluent English and Mandarin, an extremely luxurious home BBQ area, splendid home cooking. All this and more in this extremely precious private close-up footage!!

Interview
A portion of the interview from start to end!

“I’m moved. This is good.”

Nodogoshi STRONG Tasting Report @ GACKT’s home, Malaysia

Q: What’s your first impression after tasting it?

GACKT: It’s got a punch, doesn’t it? Furthermore, after drinking it, it doesn’t have that bad aftertaste. That feels nice. Whether you call it the attack, or the strength, or the power of Nodogoshi, I feel like this is something that impresses me quite a bit. I’m moved by it.

Q: How is it compared to your expectations before tasting it?

GACKT: I expected it to have that strength, but it was stronger than what I imagined. I guess it’s the attack. The feeling that it rushes right at you. Or that feeling when you get hit with a blow. That is interesting. I guess I like it. The power of that punch. And this refreshing feeling.

Q: How is it when you drink it from a glass?

GACKT: Ahhh… I kind of want to drink this from a glass (more than from the can). I’d want to drink it from the glass with the foam that rises up right after you pour it in. When I drink it in one go, the intensity of that wheat, it feels awesome.

Q: Do you think that it is a flavour befitting of the name ‘Nodogoshi STRONG’?

GACKT: Ah. I think it’s good. It’s also much stronger than what I imagined. So I do think that it does live up to its name.

Q: What kind of cuisine would it be suitable to be consumed with?

GACKT: Foods with strong flavours, and food that pack a punch, those are what I’d pair it as a drink with. And most drinks would lose out to those flavours. But if this is it, then it’d be enough. It gives me the impression that it would be able to further complement each of those ingredients.

Tasting concludes

GACKT: This is delicious. It feels great.

GACKT: This strength is amazing. It’s intense, isn’t it? Even though it’s rich, it feels refreshing after I’m done drinking, it feels great. I’m kind of singing praises now. I feel like praising it a lot.

GACKT: Well, but, how do I put this. This isn’t flattery, y’know. If it doesn’t taste good you can probably tell from my face.

GACKT: When I think that something tastes good, and the general public thinks the same as well, it makes me believe that my taste buds aren’t wrong, so I’d like to do my best.

Filming Episode

About half a year after the taste-test of “Shin! Nodogoshi ”, we once again head over to GACKT’s home in Malaysia to hold a taste-test of Nodogoshi STRONG. On our second visit, we were once again warmly welcomed.
Following firm handshakes between GACKT and the representatives, the tense taste-test commences. He takes the first mouthful of Nodogoshi STRONG, carefully affirms its flavour, and after a long moment, he says “… It’s got a punch!”. Following that, with regards to the strength of Nodogoshi that exceeded his expectations, he commented, “This is something that impresses me quite a bit”, and went on to proceed with the tasting while giving sincere comments and occasionally showing playful expressions. As he muttered “This is delicious”, he casually gave the representative a look of relaxation. After the tasting concluded, he said, “I’m kind of singing praises now.” “(But) This isn’t flattery, y’know. If it doesn’t taste good you can probably tell from my face.” The open expression that he had as he said it was something that left an impression.

Next, from talk regarding what kind of foods would match Nodogoshi STRONG came an unexpected development. When asked if he does his own cooking, GACKT-san answered, “I occasionally take care of the BBQ-ing”. And with that, unexpectedly, GACKT-san decided to hold a BBQ for us the next day. We headed to the supermarket with GACKT-san to shop. The sight of GACKT-san walking through the supermarket, fluently speaking with the shop staff in English and Mandarin, and even going through the cashier was so different from his usual image that it left quite an impression. During the BBQ as well, GACKT-san chopping the onions, splendidly grilling the meat, carefully applying the sauce and so on are precious sights that are rarely seen in Japan. GACKT appeared to be completely relaxed as staff harmoniously enjoyed the barbeque with him.

After filming concluded, GACKT surprisingly took a selfie as a commemorative photo with the staff. This has been a shoot that was filled with GACKT’s private life in Malaysia from start to end.

Source: kirin.co.jp

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA