Sasanokawa Ichi Karakuchi

Hold on to your seats! This karakuchi (extra dry) honjozo comes from Suzuki-Marketing, which was originally formed to export U.S. wines to Asia-Pacific, and now imports sakes. Vice President Richard Bischoff says that they decided to bring this sake in during the pandemic and provides us with a little background: "Sasanokawa is also the Tohoku Region’s first whisky distillery, getting its license in 1946. We sometimes refer to this sake as the 'sake for spirits lovers,' if only because of the layers that it brings to the palate."

We noticed layers of burnt sugar, kasutori shochu, and walnuts with a long finish that would tickle spirits lovers. The brewer recommends this on-the-rocks but we prefer it chilled and undiluted. Go big with the food pairing and try this sake with a burger or grilled lamb.

Features:

• Brewed in Fukushima, Japan by Sasanokawa Shuzo Co. Ltd
• Honjozo
• Seimaibuai (rice kernel remaining): Hitemobori 65%
• ABV 19% / SMV: +22.7 / Acidity: 1.5
• 24 fl oz (720ml)