I have a supposed quote in Japanese about the flavor of awamori from the log/diary (not sure) of a member of the Perry expedition, but can't seem to find the actual wording I think it is attributed to Bayard Taylor. Does anyone know it?
Is it possibly this bit?
The repast began with cups of tea, which were handed around, followed by tiny cups of sackee, which was of much superior quality to any we had yet tasted on the island. It was old and mellow, with a sharp, sweet, unctuous flavor, somewhat like French liqueur.
Bayard Taylor here is using the Japanese word "sake" but as you probably know, that can mean any alcohol, and this passage is about a drink he's served in the Ryukyu court (which he wrote as Loo-choo).