Tonoike Junmai Daiginjo Shizuku Yamadanishiki "Drop of Grace"

The nose on this masterpiece made by a brewing master that has TWO Brewing Guild Titles (very rare) is a glorious collection of grape, spun sugar, Granny Smith, honeydew, mango, papaya, candied fennel, and blueberry aromas. Made using the very laborious shizuku or gravity drip method with premium Yamadanishiki rice milled to 38%, this sake is simply a cut above, and given that it is made in Tochigi Prefecture, you can bet that this is not only medal-winning sake, but it’s world-class as well. When you want to taste the best, this “Drop of Grace” is for you. Velvety, elegant, layered, smooth, clean, round, slippery, off-sweet, and very delicate, this brew drinks with silky confidence and presents an uptick finish that is complex and ethereal. Look for cantaloupe, papaya, jasmine, grape, blueberry, persimmon, pineapple, lemon-lime, rice cracker, and finger lime flavors that are elegant and expressive with a little tannin-like dryness that speaks to wine aficionados. This could very well be the best bottle of sake in all of Tochigi Prefecture, and is a master class in how amazing rice can get in liquid form. And True Sake is the exclusive retail outlet on the West Coast for this and other Tonoike products. WORD: Master Class WINE: Bordeaux/Burgundy BEER: Creamy Ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, lobster, caviar, oysters, king crab, dried fish eggs, Champagne fare, foie gras, and ankimo.