Delightful Japanese Drinks

Lento Brown Sugar Shochu

Amami Oshima Kaiun BREWING CORP.

This distillery was founded in Amami Oshima, an island known for its endless horizons, about 235 miles south of mainland Japan. Its climate is conducive for shochu production, and they are the youngest distillery on the island. Lento is a brown sugar shochu "created by women for women", and their distillation technique combines the traditional with the innovative. What makes Lento unique is its aging technique which utilizes the sound vibrations of music. "Lento" in musical terms means "slow", and this shochu is aged for 3 months in a cellar where classical melodies are played to slowly stimulate the molecules. It awakens the flavors, making it sophisticated and smooth.

Amami Oshima Kaiun Brewing Corp.
9-15 Minatomachi, Nase, Kagoshima 984-0026 Japan
www.lento.co.jp

Ms. Ayano Akazaki
(Director)

The rich and sweet aroma of Lento spreads in your glass like a beautiful serenade, and its remarkably smooth flavor melts your soul with joy.

SUIJIN Junmai Oh Karakuchi

Asabiraki Co., Ltd

Asabiraki Brewery was born in Iwate Prefecture in 1871 when Japan was undergoing a political and social revolution. With the goal of producing "Iwate's sake from Iwate's local rice", they engineered Iwate's original sake rice, Ginginga, after 8 years of research. Suijin, brewed from this rice is super dry, full-bodied and sharp with a sleek finish. The impact of the dryness followed by an explosion of palatable rice flavor is refreshing when served chilled. When pairing with food, serve lukewarm for a better aroma and flavor. The dryness refreshes your palate and is fabulous with seafood and rich dishes.

Asabiraki Co., Ltd.
10-34 Daijiji, Morioka, Iwate 020-0828 Japan
www.asabiraki-net.jp

Mr. Yoshitake Murai
(President)

“Suijin” is a dragon honored as the god of water that brings rain for rice harvests. Suijin’s pungent aroma elevates your senses like a dragon rising up to the heavens.

KAKUJYO Jyunmaiginjyo

Bungo Meijyo Co., Ltd.

It is appropriate that “kakujyo” means a castle of cranes, as Bungo Meijyo has been brewing sake amidst the beautiful natural setting of vast forests, pure air and natural spring water for nearly 100 years. The sake rice of Kakujyo is polished extensively and slowly brewed to ensure a clean refined taste. It is slightly dry and velvety without being too heavy, and when served warm, it becomes much more pungent and aromatic. Serve it chilled or lukewarm, and it pairs exceptionally well with soy-sauce or miso base dishes. Its elegant and smooth flavor draws many female fans.

Bungo Meijyo Co., Ltd.
789-4 Kamenokou, Yokogawa, Naokawa, Saiki-shi, Oita 879-3105 Japan
www.bungomeijyo.co.jp

Mr. Koichi Kariu
(President)

Kakujyo is a medium dry sake that is rich and well-balanced. Relish its excellent full-bodied flavor that is cultivated within the beauty of nature.

GARYUBAI Junmai Ginjo

Sanwa Shuzo Co., Ltd.

Sanwa Brewery is a time-honored microbrewery established in 1686 and has been producing premium sake from 600kg of rice each year with the policy of no compromise or shortcut. Garyubai Junmai Ginjo is a crisp and wonderfully aromatic sake with distinct notes of sweet peas and pear, followed by an elegant aftertaste. Its versatile flavor can accompany any type of dish, and it pairs especially well with white fish sashimi, marinated octopus or other simply seasoned dishes. Enjoy it chilled like a fine white wine, or serve it lukewarm for a bursting aroma and rounder flavor.

Sanwa Shuzo Co., Ltd.
501-10 Nishikubo, Shimizu, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka, 424-0038 Japan
www.garyubai.com