As I learned when I was getting certified as a sake taster, the dishes that go well with "mature sake," which is one of the four classifications of sake and mainly consists of old sake, should be rich in flavor, such as broiled eel or tsukudani (food boiled in soy sauce).
However, it is rare to encounter old sake, and most restaurants serve only new sake or hiyaoroshi sake made from rice harvested in the previous year.
But this place was different. The labels say "2020" or "Heisei 30," and they serve only sake bottled this year after several years of aging in the brewery, heated and served. The liquid has a slightly golden color and a mellow aroma.
The best dishes to pair it with are not light sashimi, but rather the fatty head of tuna with its rich flavor, or wild game such as wild boar, duck, or deer. And then there is the stir-fried squid and taro in a rich liver sauce. They go well together, don't they? Both the sake and the food asserted their individuality, and the battle was as fierce as ever.
Sashimi from the neighboring seas served with ginjo sake is fine, but sometimes it's nice to have something with a big punch like this.
It tastes like pure rice in a good sense. The sweetness of the rice can be felt from beginning to end. The lactic acidity is also pleasant. It is best served hot.
Sweetness of rice 😋 😋 😋 😋 😋.
The sake degree is +13, but what is it? It doesn't feel dry (←Heppoko is tone deaf. (←Heppoko is tone-deaf to taste, lol). The mild aftertaste is also good.
I like this kind of taste 🥰.
In the mood for sake, our laid-down sake...
Gentle aroma of matured sake.
The mouthfeel is very smooth, with a soft umami and acidity.
Overall, it was beautiful, soft, and delicious.
.
The last drink of the day.
I thought it might be a bit sweet because it was nigori. I ordered it.
Surprisingly, it was quite dry and unexpected.
As I drank it slowly, my tongue got used to it and I could taste a little sweetness, which was delicious.
I drank it at room temperature, but next time I would like to try it cold or warmed.
Fusozuru's Junmai Ginjo "Sakanishiki".
Sakanishiki.
The year before last, in October 2022, when we drank it at Otsuka, it came out as a recommendation from the waiter, who commented that the sake "could be drunk forever."
It has been about 2 years, and it has matured to a golden, or yamabuki, color, maturity, and savory aroma 😊.
It is also good hot sake.
It also has a gentle flavor for a San-in sake.
We ordered it from Kotobukiya in Hon Atsugi in January 2023,
I would like to let it sit for another year if possible, but the production is so small that it will be sold out before it reaches the right ripeness, which is a challenge for the future. We have been following the comment on the website of Kotobuki-ya, "We would like to keep it for one more year if possible.
The flavor is developing nicely 😊.
With stewed beef tendon.