This Yuzushu is a blend of Yuzu juice with sake. Yuzu is a citrus fruit grown in Japan. Yuzushu is sweet and will show some cloudiness from the yuzu infusion. This is normal and best to shake the bottle before serving. Enjoy this liqueur with desserts such as ice cream or cakes.

In theory it is impossible to ferment whole brown rice unless it is sprouted [which is what used to be done in ancient times] however Genmai-zake [literally - brown rice sake] means that the husk of the rice has not been polished off. Rather, the rice husk is crushed to expose the inner part of the grain to allow fermentation, while leaving the rice completely unpolished. Genmai-zake needs twice as much rice than would usually be required to make the same quantity of sake made from polished rice. This style also requires extra attention with longer soaking and steaming times. Soaking for Genmai-zake takes around 14 hours, whereas soaking for white rice ranges from 1 minute for highly polished rice to around 1 hour for less polished. This long soak time is followed by a double steaming process. During the fermentation of the Genmaishu, Shiuchi-san has to implement complicated additions of kōji rice, steamed rice and water at very specific intervals of the ferment period to to achieve the exact result he wants in the finished sake. Kameman also needs to age the sake before it is at its optimum drinking condition. It is incredibly rare to see a sake made from brown rice, with only one other brewery in Japan making a genmai-zake. The Genmaishu displays a beautiful brown sugar and roasted cocoa bean nose with a lovely balanced sweetness on the palate with tastes of ‘Christmas cake’ dried fruit and spices. Kameman have achieved the perfect balance of sweet/savoury/dry to make this a well balanced sake with great palate weight. As this sake ages it develops into even richer, more complex flavours. This is an interesting sake to match with food as it can be paired with sweet dishes with pastry, nuts and honey or can be used to match with rich ingredients like foie gras.

This junmaishu is made with the aim to create a during-a-meal sake that does not feel heavy. It has a clear, crisp, and light taste, making it a versatile sake that goes well with a variety of dishes. When served cold, it has a mild dryness and crispness, and when warmed, the rice flavor is enhanced and the taste becomes deeper. It is a versatile sake that can be served cold or warmed, but the brewery recommends that it be served lukewarm. It can be enjoyed at a variety of temperatures to suit your taste and cuisine.

Made with Miyama Nishiki rice in the Miyagi Prefecture, this delightful sake is well-rounded with a mellow and rich palate. A premium sake with a rice polishing ratio of 50%, it exhibits aromas of gentle incense with a clean and smooth finish.

The Afuri series from Kikkawa Jozo is brewed with water from a rain-fed spring at the foot of Mount Afuri in Kanagawa. It is naturally harder than typical sake brewing water at 150ppm in equal parts Calcium and Magnesium. These nutrients allow for extremely low temperature fermentation to develop extra complexity. Founded in 1912, Kikkawa once made rich and dry sake. The 7th generation chief brewer Masanori Mizuno took over in 2012 changing focus to a complex, robust and aromatic style balanced by ancient acid production techniques. This is a pure rice sake with a beautiful rose-pink color made using the rare Tsurubara (rambling rose) flower yeast and pesticide-free cultivated ancient rice which is also rich in polyphenols and minerals. It has a gentle and smooth taste, making it suitable even for sake beginners. While it has a sweet and floral aroma, it also offers a clear aftertaste.. Serve chilled, serve with rich dishes or as you begin your afternoon.

Starting with super high quality Hyogo grown Yamada Nishiki, this sake features yeast no.77 which is very high in malic acid production (green apple note). Aromas of honeysuckle, white grape and lemon balm leap from the glass. The palate is round but transitions very quickly into sweet tart candy. There’s lots of acidity, even some astringency before the long finish suggests apple jolly rancher. A great introduction to the Afuri line.

Kizakura Yamahai is semidry and rich in flavour. Its mellow character and soft palate makes this an excellent starting point for the uninitiated to start their Sake journey.

This Heiwa Shuzo Tsuru-ume Yuzushu is made with a one-year-old Junmai Sake and Yuzu juice, at a 1 : 1 ratio. This is higher than most Yuzushu produced elsewhere. The yuzu fruit is grown in Wakayama and is juiced with its peel, giving all the qualities of the fruit, sweet, sour & bitter. This example has a marvelous full aroma of fresh yuzu, with a zesty, citrus tart character and a fruit sweet and fresh finish. Store Yuzushu in a cool dark place, trying to avoid direct sunlight. Once opened the Heiwa 'Tsuru-ume Yuzushu' will last well for at least 8 - 10 weeks, ideally in a refrigerator.

Igarashi Shuzou Brewery is in the Saitma Prefecture located at the confluence of the Naguri and Nariki Rivers. This is a rare sake produced using pink yeast. There are two companies within the prefecture, including Igarashi Shuzo using this pink yeast. Pink yeast is very delicate, to the point the pink colour becomes less noticeable when mixed with even the slightest difference in yeast. Because of this delicacy, special tools are used for this sake and has been produced with such care to prevent other yeasts from contaminating it. Don't let cute pink colour fool you, this sake is not as sweet as it looks. It has a balance of sweet and sour taste.

A heavenly small bottle sake cup with a scent of fresh apples and bamboo. It exhibits an appealing minerality on the palate with mild acidity and slight bitterness. Easy to drink, this sake drink is as light as the falling petals of cherry blossoms in the spring breeze.