Katoukichibee Shouten
Born Gold Junmai Daiginjo Specially Limited Japanese Sake
Japan
Exquisite!!! So many sakes that make it to the USA have the same rice pudding/banana profile, to say nothing of the really lower quality ones that taste like low proof diluted vodka, but this one is truly a cut above. I don’t often give ratings above 90 points, but this is so perfectly balanced with the nice, sweet flavors that I appreciate in a sake. “Balance” is the word that keeps coming to me as I drink this. As far as specific notes, on the nose, whipped cream, cashew, just a little bit of bubble gum and flowers, and on the palette, yes, it has the rice pudding note, but with honeydew melon, and most of the notes on the nose coming through. I paired this with an Italian pasta dish, and it worked perfectly, but I can also imagine this working well desserts like Victoria sponge cake or cream brûlée.
Exquisite!!! So many sakes that make it to the USA have the same rice pudding/banana profile, to say nothing of the really lower quality ones that taste like low proof diluted vodka, but this one is truly a cut above. I don’t often give ratings above 90 points, but this is so perfectly balanced with the nice, sweet flavors that I appreciate in a sake. “Balance” is the word that keeps coming to me as I drink this. As far as specific notes, on the nose, whipped cream, cashew, just a little bit of bubble gum and flowers, and on the palette, yes, it has the rice pudding note, but with honeydew melon, and most of the notes on the nose coming through. I paired this with an Italian pasta dish, and it worked perfectly, but I can also imagine this working well desserts like Victoria sponge cake or cream brûlée.
May 9th, 2020