| Brand | Toyo Bijin |
| Region | Chugoku, Japan |
| Spirits Type | Sake |
| Spirits Style | Junmai Ginjo |
| ABV | 16% |
Product details
The brand was named Toyo Bijin, or “Asian Beauty,” by Sumikawa Brewing Company’s founder in honor of his late wife. This particular brew gives an aroma of red apple that fades to an almost nutmeg spice. It is a very dry sake, said to be “strong enough to kill a devil.” This sake starts with the gorgeous tropical fruit of melon and banana and then shifts to a rippingly dry finish that evokes allspice and nutmeg. The fruit notes are coaxed out of Yamada Nishiki rice milled to 55% and Sumikawa-san’s careful brewing preserves those nuances while coaxing out the uniquely spicy finish. Be prepared for this but also enjoy its decent umami retained from the Yamadanishiki rice used in its brewing. That balance of fruit and spice makes for a terrific pairing with richer foods like otoro sashimi, tonkotsu ramen, or roast pork loin.
