Atago no Matsu Tokubetsu Honjozo "Pine of Atago"

The nose on this incredible sake is a gentle collection of strawberry, cream, sweet rice, oat, raisin, and purple plum aromas. All sake is cool, but some brews are simply cooler than others. This is a really cool brew made by a 26 year-old female Toji, who just so happened to win the Brewer of The Year Award for 2022. In a word this is a refreshing Tokubetsu Honjozo that gives Honjozo sake a great name. Light, impeccably balanced, and juicy, this is one of those “Where did the bottle go?” sakes that drinks itself. Smooth, round, slightly creamy Atago No Matsu is a sneaky sake that is light and flavorful, but tricks you with a gentle dryness. Look for young strawberry, raspberries, Asian pear, cream, melon, lemon water, cucumber, spring greens, and some Japanese strawberry cream drink (cannot remember the name) flavors on a very soft and smooth flow. The brewery calls this the “Ultimate food sake,” so not only does it drink great it pairs great too. WORD: Balanced WINE: Soft Reds/Juicy Whites BEER: Creamy Ales FOODS: “Ultimate Food Sake”