Azumatsuru Junmai Ginjo Saga no Hana 55 "Black"

The nose on this sake made with very soft spring water from the Taku Mountains is a very unique collection of graham cracker, fig, apricot, tapioca, milk tea, buttermilk, poppy seed, red apple, radish, raisin, pancake, and condensed milk aromas.  Made with Saga no Hana rice milled to 55%, this brew falls directly in the “modern sake” category with elevated acidity, astringency,  and lots of moving parts. But what separates this brew from other producers are the amazing flavors that evolve in the glass, and scream for the attention of complex wine drinkers. Spritzy, tingly, edgy, crisp, astringent, thirst quenching, bubbly, tantalizing acidity and tannin-like dryness; this sake is liquid modernity in a glass. Look for vanilla ice cream, taffy, Sprite, dried fig, dates, sweet rice, milk bread, dried apricot, waves of sugarcane, toasted rye bread, minerality, and lots of umami. A very fun exploratory “type” of sake that is made to baffle and impress. WORD: Smart WINE: Zesty Reds/Lively Whites BEER: Tight Ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, shellfish, oysters, caviar, ponzu fare, pickled veggies, dried meats, salumi boards, fried chicken, and grilled veggies.