Tamagawa Junmai Kimoto "Time Machine"

The nose on this recently reformulated historical sake is an enticing collection of mushroom, mochi, dried grass, cooked oranges, maple syrup, lemon honey, burnt wood, and whisky aromas. Master Brewer Philip Harper has taken an ancient sake recipe and put his own twist on the outcome by lowering the alcohol content to 11% ABV, and by cleaning up the fluid a little bit to drink lighter and smoother. Round, soft, juicy, and slick, this sake drinks lighter and more velvety than how it appears in the bottle. Far more drinkable than the previous incarnation, look for brown sugar, black sesame, crème brûlée, pralines, sweet potato, maple syrup, and earthy flavors on a lighter and silkier flow, with a very quick finish for so much flavor. WORD: Safe Time Travel WINE: Rich Reds/Earthy Whites BEER: Belgian Ales FOODS: Smoked fish, meats, cheeses, rich pastas, steak, grilled chicken.