Sake Sakura Misen – 72 cl

Produced from pure rice.

Remaining rice proportion after polishing: 55%

Variety of rice: Hattan Nishiki A rather long low-temperature fermentation process using a very specific kind of yeast (Hiroshima Ginjo)

Service temperature: chilled - 4°C

Sashimis, fish roe – omelet and other egg dishes – Fruit sorbets

NOSE: Gentle / Apple, pear

TASTE: Heady and fresh – Cereal;

Finish: Delicate and refreshing – Cereal, grassy notes

"Situated between the north and south Japanese alps, Mars Shinshu is Japan’s highest whisky distillery, at nearly 800 meters. The Hombo family have been distilling for more than a century and they added whisky to their repertoire in 1949 in Kagoshima. That was the southernmost whisky made in Japan until 1984, when all whisky production was moved to the current location in Nagano. Kiichiro Iwai, the name sake for this Mars Whisky, was a silent pioneer of Japan whisky. This whisky is inspired by great whiskies of America. A majority of corn balanced with light malt aged in ex bourbon barrels. Ideal for daily sipping, in a mint julep or an old fashioned.

NOSE: Some vanilla toasted oak notes, a touch of melon

TASTE: Vanilla pound cake and lychee.

FINISH: Sweet with fruit flavors like pear, quince and hints of red fruits and vanilla.

Find this and more exceptional selections at Kaasak.

The Kikusui distillery is located in Kuroshio, Köchi Prefecture, Japan. It takes advantage of the climate favorable to the cultivation of sugar cane to cultivate its own raw material for the production of its rums.

Ryoma rum is produced from pure sugar cane juice and crafted using traditional Japanese methods. It is characterized by its fermentation, carried out using yeasts specially bred to ferment sake!
Ryoma's atypical style also comes from very fine sugar cane, typical of Japan.

Distilled in a pot still, this rum is then aged in white oak barrels.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Marked by floral notes, the nose offers notes of white flowers, star anise and nougat.
• Mouth: Full of roundness and delicacy, the palate reveals aromas of vanilla, coconut and ginger.
• Finish: Fresh, the finish is distinguished by delicate citrus notes before notes of bitter molasses and chocolate come to close the tasting.

Eigashima Distillery (known as White Oak Distillery in Japan), located in Akashi near Kobe, Japan, is both the country’s oldest and smallest whisky distillery. Founded in 1888, the tiny distillery runs on a seven person operation! Akashi is a coastal town residing on the edge of Osaka Bay. Due to Akashi’s unique climate with extremely hot summers and cool winters, as much as 7%-8% of Eigashima’s maturing whisky may be lost to evaporation each year (opposed to the 2% commonly seen in Scotland). While this lowers still the overall production yield, it also acts as a catalyst for the maturation process, as the temperature swings encourage interaction between the whisky and the wood. As a result, Akashi White Oak Japanese Whisky has a malty, citrusy aroma with scents of black cherry, toffee and oak. This whisky is made with a variety of wheat, barley and rye with hints of subtle peat. Notes of vanilla and pine nuts dominate the palate, and lead to a long, malty finish. Excellent introduction to the Japanese whisky category, those looking for a segway into Scotch, or an every day drinking dram.

Tasting Note:

Nose: Buttered hot cross buns, chocolate peanuts, lemongrass and a light hint of spicy rye grain.

Palate: Cherry bakewells and walnut loaf. Sweet cereals with a dusting of nutmeg and black pepper.

Finish: Medium length. Quite sweet with dried apricot and a touch of oatcake.

Find this and more exceptional selections at Kaasak.

A flavorsome dry Ginjo sake, made using the top-quality brewer’s rice Hattan Nishiki which is polished down to one third of its original weight and water from Hiroshima Prefecture.

Tasting Notes: Fresh and floral on the nose with hints of white flowers and apricot.

On the palate it is mellow and fruity with hints of apple and pear, the finish is light with hints of cereals, a touch of acidity and bitterness.

Food Pairing: Perfect for seafood and can be served either hot or cold.

Marvellously refreshing gin all the way from Japan! Produced by Chugoku Jozo at its Sakurao distillery, Sakurao Japanese Dry Gin is made with a selection of local botanicals including yuzu, Japanese cypress, oyster shell and cherry blossom, alongside some traditional important ingredients like juniper and coriander.

Tasting Note: Oily juniper, vegetal freshness, citrus peels with a touch of jammy orange, white pepper and a hint of vanilla.