• Brewery,  News,  Reviews,  Toji,  Traditions

    Noriyoshi Nagai’s Sake Empire

    “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it” Confucius Sake, the potent confluence of spring-fed water and grains of rice, has been an integral part of Japanese society, and Noriyoshi Nagai’s family tradition for six generations. “It  is a historical beverage consisting of rice and water; it is not just a business, everything I produce are like my children,” Nagai said. Nestled in a valley among the snowcapped Mount Hotaka range, Kawaba village (Gunma prefecture) is a postcard-perfect setting. Lush green foliage, crisp cool air and the clear spring water flowing down the streams, which Nagai recalls, became the source of inspiration for his ancestor Shoji Nagai, who founded the…

  • Brewery,  News,  Reviews,  Toji

    Kizakura Brewery

    Tozai is the authentically Japanese sake that bridges the gap between East and West and is an invitation for all to enjoy Japanese sake. • Tozai’s style is approachable for sake pros and novices alike, taking sake out of the “special occasion” category and making it an everyday drink. • Each Tozai sake is a classic representation of its style and grade. • Be transported to Japan just by looking at Tozai—the labels feature hand-painted koi fish, traditional Japanese kanji, and origami paper patterns. Brewery Name: Kizakura BreweryToji (master brewer): Yoshinori WakaiBrewery Location: Kyoto

  • Junmai,  News,  Nigori,  Reviews,  Sake

    Tozai Snow Maiden

    SAKE OVERVIEW This sake is named after Hanako, or “Flower Maiden”, the most famous Japanese koi fish that lived for 226 years in the snowy, icy waters at the foot of Japan’s Mt. Ontake. TASTING NOTES Bright and fresh with a lovely ricey and fruity combination. Flavors of honeydew melon, raw pumpkin, and radish. Creamy texture and full body. FOOD PAIRING Try with spicy foods, crab, pork, or spicy tuna poke. Grade: Junmai NigoriSeimaibuai: 70%Rice: Gohyakumangoku & Gin-OhmiNihonshu-Do: +6.5Acidity: 1.6Alcohol: 14.9%Sizes: 12/300ml / 6/720mlSuggested Retail Prices: $10 / $17.5 BREWERY Kizakura Brewery

  • Junmai Ginjo,  News,  Reviews,  Sake

    Fukucho Moon on the Water

    SAKE OVERVIEW This vibrant showstopper is beautifully soft and feminine, brewed by one of Japan’s only female brewery owners and tojis. Brewed in Hiroshima, the birthplace of Ginjo sake, which is known for remarkably soft water that requires expert skill to use in sake production. Once mastered, it enables a highly controlled, precise fermentation, resulting in vibrant fruit aromas. This Junmai Ginjo is bottled immediately without charcoal filtering. TASTING NOTES A fruity nose of lime and melon with bold hints of fennel, white pepper and allspice. The flavors gravitate to ripe cantaloupe and anise while the minerality from the soft water is evident in the finish. FOOD PAIRING A natural…

  • Junmai Ginjo,  News,  Reviews,  Sake,  Toji

    Mana 1751 True Vision

    SAKE OVERVIEW This sake is a true expression of Fukui, using local yeast, bottled from a single tank, and highlights the pristine, nationally famous water source. TASTING NOTES An aromatic and expressive yamahai with notes of tart yogurt, mushroom, honey, banana and steamed rice. FOOD PAIRING Try paired with pork adobo, spicy and creamy rock shrimp or cumin spiced lamb chops. Grade: Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai Muroka Genshu Seimaibuai: 60%Rice: GohyakumangokuNihonshu-Do: +3.5Alcohol: 16.5%Size: 720mlSuggested Retail Price: $40