“Tosatsuru” & “Koshi no Homare” In-store tasting event @ Ikebukuro

You can taste Tosatsuru, TOSATSURU SAKE BREWING CO.,LTD. from Kochi prefecture, and Koshi no Homare, Hara Shuzo from Niigata prefecture.

Tosatsuru (TOSATSURU SAKE BREWING CO.,LTD.)

TOSATSURU SAKE BREWING is located near the Muroto Cape, the largest brewery in Kochi prefecture. A clear stream Yasuda Riversmall runs by near the brewery, the well water which is in the site of the brewery is hard and contains well-balanced mineral. In the Annual Japan Sake Awards, they have won total 45 times since 1965 and the highest number of Gold in Japan.

土佐鶴酒造 大吟醸原酒 天平 Daiginjo-genshu “Tenpyo” 900ml [高知県/辛口]

The highest point of the sake master’s art. Enjoy the full aroma & rich taste of Daiginjo to your hearts content. The sake is made with utmost care under the close attention of their sake master (Toji), and the rice grains are polished down to less than 40% of their original size, all to create this delightfully refined & involving sake.

土佐鶴酒造 吟醸酒 アジュール Tosatsuru Ginjo Azure 720ml [高知県/中辛口]

Tosatsuru Ginjo Azure is a new generation smooth sake made from “Kaiyoushinsousui” (Deep ocean water).

This water contains less chemicals and germs than ocean surface water (because there is no sun light down there, bacteria cannot survive) resulting in a pure, clean-tasting sake with exceptional freshness.

Tosatsuru Azure has a fruity Ginjo fragrance of ripe pears, a refreshing and clean palate, and a lengthy dry finish with a fair amount of acidity.

TOSATSURU SAKE BREWING CO.,LTD. Home page

 

Koshi no Homare (Hara Shuzo)

At the time Hara Shuzo brewery was founded in the late Edo period (1814), Kashiwazaki was flourishing as a Shukuba (station town) on the Hokkoku Kaido expressway and also as a maritime town by the Sengoku ships. Because of this, the elegance and refinement of the city’s culture was infused into this place and the unique culture bloomed. With the nature’s blessings and the rich culture of the area, the taste of our sake has been inevitably refined. Kashiwazaki’s nature, humanity, and culture are all brewed in the barrels of sake produced here. In the 200 yeas since the city’s creation, they have slowly been improving the flavor of our sake, and they have never stopped brewing this sake that people have loved for a long time.

The event that we can’t forget when introducing Hara Shuzo is the Chuetsu Offshore Earthquake that occurred on July 16, 2007. As a result of the earthquake, major damage occurred leaving over 70% of the company’s buildings collapsed. Five cellars were completely destroyed—the walls fell off, the pillars broke, the tiled roof caved in, and around 200 of the 300 sake tanks were buried under the roof. The very next day, the removal of 10,000 bottles of sake started, and the liquor storage tank was rescued from the debris. In the middle of August, the bottling line was started up again, in September the first bottles of sake were ready, and in October they were shipped out. The outcome of the earthquake was not pretty, but everything was able to return back to normal two and a half months later.

原酒造 越の誉 純米大吟醸 秘造酒 もろはく Koshi no Homare Junmai daiginjo Morohaku 720ml [新潟県]

In 1972, when Japan was normalizing its diplomatic relations with China, their sake “Koshi no Homare: Morohaku” whose quality was spoken highly of by the then Prime Minister, Kakuei Tanaka, was chosen as a toast of the memorial dinner party in Beijing. Koshi no Homare served as a representative of the national liquor of Japan.

 

Hara Shuzo Home page

DATE AND TIME

2018/8/2 (Thu) – 8/8(Wed) 10:00~20:00

You cannot go? Check out ichibansake Event Calendar

LOCATION

Ikebukuro Tobu Department Store B1F

1 Chome-1-25 Nishiikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo 171-0021

Google map

Access

Directly connected to “Ikebukuro station”

Web site

For more information visit, 東武百貨店 池袋店 日本酒催事スケジュール

“Koshi no Hana” & “Chikurin” In-store tasting event @ Ikebukuro

You can taste Koshi no Hana, KOSHINOHANA SHUZO CO., LTD. from Niigata prefecture, and Chikurin, MARUMOTO Sake BREWERY CO.,LTD. from Okayama prefecture.

 Koshi no Hana (KOSHINOHANA SHUZO CO., LTD.)

Koshinohana Shuzo is a small brewery in the Niigata plains. This agricultural region, very snowy and cold in the winter, is one of the most iconic terroir for the production of sake. Founded at the end of the 19th century, koshinohana sake brewery has managed to keep their traditions together with being innovative with very original sakes such as Kawasemi that compliments the multiple award-winning Daiginjos from the brewery.

越の華「超特撰」大吟醸 Koshinohana Chotokusen Daiginjo 720ml

A daiginjo sake with a fragrant aroma and gentle, blooming note. A true delicacy.

KOSHINOHANA SHUZO CO., LTD. Home page

 

Chikurin (MARUMOTO Sake BREWERY CO.,LTD. )

Although it is common practice for wine producers to grow their own grapes, it is not so common for sake brewers to grow their own rice — sake’s main ingredient. At their brewery, they grow organic rice with an aim to produce “safe and secure Japanese sake”.

Organic farming is a method that brings out the original cultivation power of the rice field, without using pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Their product “ORGANIC CHIKURIN ” is made from this organic rice.

In 2009, they have received organic certification from the National Organic Program (NOP) in North America, and in 2010, they became the first Japanese sake brewer to be certified by organic standard in Europe (EC Regulation).

竹林(ちくりん) ふかまり 純米 Chikurin Fukamari (Depth) Junmai 1800ml

The mellow aroma is reminiscent of fragrant trees.Despite the allover dryness, one could faintly trace a dark and smooth sweetness and a satisfying taste of brown, unmilled rice. The more sips that are taken, the more umami is recognised and savored.

 

MARUMOTO Sake BREWERY CO.,LTD. Home page

DATE AND TIME

2018/7/26 (Thu) – 8/1(Wed) 10:00~20:00

You cannot go? Check out ichibansake Event Calendar

LOCATION

Ikebukuro Tobu Department Store B1F

1 Chome-1-25 Nishiikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo 171-0021

Google map

Access

Directly connected to “Ikebukuro station”

Web site

For more information visit, 東武百貨店 池袋店 日本酒催事スケジュール

“Tatenokawa” & “Ichinokura” In-store tasting event @ Ikebukuro

You can taste Tatenokawa, Tatenokawa, Inc. from Yamagata prefecture and Ichinokura, ICHINOKURA Co.,Ltd. from Miyagi prefecture.

Tatenokawa (Tatenokawa, Inc.)

In 1832, when the head of the Uesugi clan first visited the Shonai area he was so amazed by the quality of the water that he recommended sake production to first generation Heishiro.

And so, in 1854, Heishiro began making sake. In the following year 1855, the visiting Daimyo of the Sounai Clan, Sakai Tadakatsu was presented with the sake and in return christened the brand “TATENOKAWA” (English Name: CASTLE BROOK).

In 2005 they began establishing contracts directly with local farmers. The raw ingredients of Junmai Daiginjo are rice and water. The rice plays a huge part in determining the quality of the end product and yet so many breweries rely on rice suppliers and brewer’s associations for procurement.

In 2010, here at TATENOKAWA, Inc. they began Junmai Daiginjo only production under a new “TATENOKAWA” 100 year vision

In order to realise this vision they have increased the tempo of their overseas exports, which they began in 2008, with a view to their sake becoming a luxury item that has fans all over the world.

Their goal is to make sake that appeals to and is recognised by people globally.

楯野川 純米大吟醸 上流 Tatenokawa Junmai Daiginjo More detail JOURYU 720ml (専用カートン付)

A part of the Ryu (stream) series, is named after its high quality and high specifications. Made with 40% polished Yamada Nishiki sake rice and only the best part of the sake pressing nakadori (middle cut). A sake with a stable balance of flavour and aroma, a nose of ripened fruits, and a high quality Japanese candy like elegance, topped off with a clean finish.

Tatenokawa, Inc. Home page

Ichinokura (Ichinokura Co.,Ltd. Home page)

Ichinokura, a leading sake brewery in Japan, was founded in 1973 with the aspiration of leading the industry into the 21st century and promoting a sophisticated and vibrant sake drinking culture, through brewing high quality sake in Miyagi Prefecture. Four local sake breweries merged into one with a common goal in mind and strived to achieve this while assisting business and agriculture in Matsuyama, Osaki city.

They aim to establish a good relationship between their customers and Ichinokura employees, and develop the relationship between local communities and Ichinokura itself, by promoting a safe and prosperous style of living based on the fermentation technologies that they have acquired over time in harmonizing with people, nature and Japanese tradition.

Ichinokura headquarters and sake factories are located in the woody hill of Matsuyama, Osaki city, Miyagi prefecture, which is 243 miles (392 km) north of Tokyo. Their products have been enjoyed not only in Japan but also exported to more than 20 countries including the U.S.A. and throughout Asia. Ichinokura, maintaining the very spirit of its foundation, is putting tireless efforts into making the very best quality sake, which people will enjoy globally.

Ichinokura is fortunate to the three essential elements required to make the highest quality Japanese sake: water, rice, and expertise.

一ノ蔵 純米大吟醸 笙鼓 化粧箱入り Ichinokura Junmai Daiginjo Shoko 720ml

Gives a rich aroma. Once you sip it, fabulously interesting taste spreads in your mouth. A masterpiece of selected quality ingredients, traditional manual brewing and its techniques.

Ichinokura Co.,Ltd. Home page

DATE AND TIME

2018/7/25 (Wed) – 7/31(Tue)

-You cannot go? Check out ichibansake Event Calendar

LOCATION

Seibu Ikebukuro B1F

〒171-0022 Tokyo, Toshima, Minamiikebukuro, 1 Chome−28−1

Google map

Access

Directly connect
Ikebukuro Station South Exit, Exit 38, Exit 36

Web site

For more information visit, 今週の酒と肴