Kokuryu and Juyondai

Tasting sake at Sake Hasegawa (酒はせがわ) in Omotesando Hills.

Juyondai Junmai Daiginjo Shichitare Nijikkan (十四代 純米大吟醸 七垂二十貫) - this was very smooth, with a good balance between the sweet and dry side. Pleasant to drink in the middle of the afternoon.

Bijofu Lemon (美丈夫 レモン) - on the rocks. It was OK, but nothing close to the Yuzu.

Azumaichi Bemolle (東一 黒糖梅酒 ベモーレ) - it was definitely umeshu (梅酒), but with the distinct flavor and sweetness of muscovado. Not bad.

Dinner at RyuGin (龍吟).

Kokuryu Kuzuryu Daiginjo Kanshu (黒龍 九頭龍 大吟醸燗酒) - this was brewed to be drunk warm, which is not normally how high quality sakes are drunk. But I don't really enjoy hot sake, so I take it cold anyway. It was slightly dry on the attack, but a little sweet on the palate. Finish started out a little sweet, then changed to the dry side later. Seimaibuai of 50%. Gotta love that velvet label... A little off-topic, but the name 九頭龍 reminds me of 九頭龍斬 - one of the attack forms described in the Japanese comic Samurai X (るろうに剣心). Will I be able to perform the attack if I keep drinking this?!

Kokuryu Daiginjo Ryu (黒龍 大吟醸 龍) - this was much richer in terms of flavors... A little drier on the palate and sharper in terms of alcohol, although I could still taste the sweetness and the classic banana nose. Seimaibuai of 40%.

Full post on dinner is here.