From rare, organically grown Kame-no-o rice. It translates as the Turtle’s Tail but it’s also known as phantom rice because it was brought back from extinction. Super fragrant lupin and violet on the nose, perhaps some green banana. The palate is super complex from the 90% polish rice showing chocolate, bran, nutmeg and coconut water. The finish is clean with high minerality.  An homage to master Toji Sugiyama.

Contemplate chilled with scallops in ponzu, aquachile, Northern Thai.

The Afuri series from Kikkawa Jozo is brewed with water from a rain-fed spring at the foot of Mount Afuri in Kanagawa. It is naturally harder than typical sake brewing water at 150ppm in equal parts Calcium and Magnesium. These nutrients allow for extremely low temperature fermentation to develop extra complexity.

Founded in 1912, Kikkawa once made rich and dry sake. The 7th generation chief brewer Masanori Mizuno took over in 2012 changing focus to a complex, robust and aromatic style balanced by ancient acid production techniques.

https://kikkawa-jozo.com/