Triple Threat Sake Tasting

Kiyomori Sake

TRIPLE THREAT SAKE TASTING

Normally our tastings tend to feature ONE SPECIAL sake out of the five or six that we sample that day. Maybe it’s a high end Daiginjo, something seasonal or something new to Hawaii.  Well, this Saturday we’ve got THREE SPECIAL sake for you to try, which is why we’ve calling it a TRIPLE THREAT SAKE TASTING!

FIRST, we’ll be sampling a brand new sake to Hawaii called Kiyomori for the very first time (see information in right column).  SECOND,  we’ll also be sampling Otokoyama’s very high end Junmai Daiginjo which is rarely sampled and one of our all time favorites.  And THIRD, we’ll be sampling a just released late Spring seasonal sake called Yukishibare from Otokoyama (Everyone’s favorite last year).

Throw in some Narutotai Nama Genshu along with another sake from Otokoyama and we’ve got ourselves a party!  Oh, and did I mention that representatives from Otokoyama and Narutotai will also be here at the shop to pour their sake?

You’re not going to want to miss this one, so please stop by this Saturday for what should be a really great sake tasting!

TRIPLE THREAT
COMPLIMENTARY SAKE TASTING & SALE
Saturday, April 14, 2012
5:00pm to 8:00pm

Here is the lineup for this Saturday.

KIYOMORI
** NEW TO HAWAII **
Tokubetsu Junmai

Named after Taira no Kiyomori, a famous samurai and military leader (see column to the right), this sake is BRAND NEW to Hawaii.  Light, smooth and rich type. Fruity aroma of ripe melon and a hint of banana.  Soft and deep savory flavor with crisp acidity and a clean finish. Served chilled or warm. 

OTOKOYAMA YUKISHIBARE
Tokubetsu Junmai Nama Kasumi

Seasonal unpasteurized (nama) sake from Otokoyama. Brewed with new rice harvested from the previous Autumn and then released in late Spring.  Very dry, misty (lightly cloudy) sake.  Fresh and fruity aroma of pear, apple and grape.  Expansive savory flavors with plenty of fruits.  (Oddly enough this sake pairs really well with PIZZA!  Thanks Lindsey!)

OTOKOYAMA JUNMAI DAIGINJO
Junmai Daiginjo

This sake alone should be your reason for coming to our tasting.  One of our all time favorites and rarely available for sample, this high end super premium sake is one of the best out there!  Flavorful type.  Purely elegant and harmonious aroma with a long finish. Perfectly balanced velvety smooth texture.  Very refreshing, subtle with delicate flavors.

OTOKOYAMA KIMOTO
Tokubetsu Junmai

Brewed using the “old school” Kimoto method, this richly flavored sake has a round aroma of rice with a hint of fruit.  Full bodied dry sake with a deep taste.  The cool shaped extra large 900 ml bottle doesn’t hurt as well. Serve chilled or warm.

NARUTOTAI
Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu

Don’t let the “can” fool you, this namazake (unpasteurized sake) is one of the shop’s best sellers! Your quintessential nama with it’s green, brash flavor and powerful impact.  Gorgeously sweet and refreshing fruity aroma.  Very dry sake with great acidity.

So please join us this Saturday for our TRIPLE THREAT Sake Tasting!

Kanpai,
Malcolm & Nadine Leong
The Sake Shop

TRIPLE THREAT
COMPLIMENTARY SAKE TASTING & SALE
Saturday, April 14, 2012
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Enoki Brewery

Enoki Brewery was founded in 1899 and is located on Kurahashi Island on Hiroshima Bay.  Kurahashi Island is the largest island in Hiroshima prefecture and is situated directly across from Kure City.  Enoki Brewery produces both Kiyomori sake and Hanahato sake.

Ondo no Seto

A narrow strait of water called “Ondo no Seto” separates Kurahashi Island from the mainland.  Legend has it that this 100 meter channel was excavated by Taira no Kiyomori at the end of the Heian period for trade with China.

The channel connects Kure Bay with the open sea and allows for ships to pass through.  As many as 700 ships may pass through this strait each day.  In 1961 the Ondo Ohashi bridge was erected connecting Kurahashi Island with mainland Hiroshima.

Taira no Kiyomori Statue

One of the sake we will be sampling this Saturday is named after Taira no Kiyomori,  a famous samurai and military leader from the late Heian period.

Besides being known for excavating the Ondo no Seto channel, he is credited with establishing the first Samurai based administrative government of Japan and was appointed to the rank of Chief Minister of government.

Using his powerful position and military might, he eventually succeeded in making the current Emperor of the time abdicate the throne.  He then installed his young grandson as the new Emperor, thus giving him control over all Japan.

NHK Taiga Drama Taira no Kiyomori

NHK’s 51st Taiga Drama is about Taira no Kiyomori and is currently airing now in Japan on Sundays.  It stars Matsuyama Kenichi as Kiyomori.

If you can read Japanese and would like to visit the NHK Taiga Drama website, click on the picture above.

Narutotai Sake

It’s been almost 2 years since we last sampled Narutotai Nama Genshu at the shop.  One of only a few sake that come in a large metal can, this namazake (unpasteurized sake) is actually one of our most popular items.

So everyone always asks why did the brewer put their sake in a metal can as opposed to a bottle.  Well, the can actually protects the sake by keeping out all sunlight.  The can also helps to keep the sake colder and protects it from heat.

Being an unpasteurized sake means there are still live enzymes and bacteria “sleeping” in this sake.  Heat and light tend to activate these things with terrible results.  A metal can  is able to better protect the namazake from all these things and you have to admit that the can just looks cool!

For the purists out there who are concerned about the aluminum can affecting the flavor of the sake, you’ll be happy to know that the can is lined with a sealant so the sake never touches metal.

Honke Matsuura Brewery

Honke Matsuura Brewery was founded in 1804 and is located in Naruto City in Tokushima prefecture.

Narutotai sake was named by the local Governor in 1884 and is a combination of the words “Naruto” and “Tai”. The Governor wanted the brewery to produce sake with a flavor as exquisitely elegant as the taste of the Tai or Sea Bream which are caught in the whirlpool filled waters around Naruto City.