Season 1, Episode 3. The rise of Covid-19 has John and Timothy recording remotely and sipping socially-distanced sake. In our last episode, we discussed the four main ingredients in sake but did you know there is actually a 5th optional ingredient as well? We are talking about “Jozo Arukoru” a.k.a. Brewer’s Alcohol! It’s true! Some sakes have distilled alcohol added, and some do not! For premium sake, distilled alcohol is sometimes added to round out flavors and boost aromas. The decision whether to add alcohol or not is largely a stylistic one – as both styles can be delicious. To illustrate the point, Timothy and John are each bringing an alcohol-added sake to the table to taste in this episode! let’s explore how added distilled alcohol affects the flavor, texture and aroma of these sakes.

Skip to: 00:22 Hosts Welcome and Introduction

Skip to: 03:23 Sake Education Corner: Brewer’s Alcohol

In the world of premium sake, at the highest level, there are really only two kinds of sake: Aruten (alcohol added style) or Junmai (pure rice style. Both styles are premium and can be absolutely delicious, but they offer some stylistic differences.

Skip to: 16:57 Sake Tasting: Overviews
Intro into this week’s sakes.

Skip to: 19:10 Sake Tasting: Ura Gassanryu Koka

Ura Gassanryu Koka

Brewery: Shindo Shuzoten
Alcohol: 14.5%
Acidity: 1.0
Classification: Honjozo
Prefecture: Yamagata
Rice Type: Miyamanishiki
Seimaibuai: 65%
SMV: +2.0
Brand: Ura-Gasanryu (裏・雅山流)
Importer: JFC
View On UrbanSake.com

Skip to: 22:48 Sake Tasting: Hakkaian Tokubetsu Junmai

Hakkaisan Tokubetsu Honjozo

Classification: Tokubetsu Honjozo
Brewery: Hakkaisan Sake Brewery
Prefecture: Niigata
Seimaibuai: 55%
Rice Type: Gohyakumangoku, Tokorokiwase
SMV: +4.0
Alcohol: 15.5%
Acidity: 1.0
Brand: Hakkaisan (八海山)
Sake Name English: Eight Peaks
Importer: Mutual Trading (USA)
View On UrbanSake.com