Izumibashi Tonbo Green Sake

Volume: 0.72 litres | Alcohol content: 15% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Tonbo Green brings together rice and maturation at a low temperature. Izumibashi uses Yamada Nishiki, Omachi and Rakufumai rice for this Junmai sake. The rice polishing ratio is 80%. The sake then matures for one year in stainless steel tanks at around 5 °C. Its flavour combines rice and grain with sweetness, umami and acidity.

Tonbo Green works well throughout a meal. It can be served at around 15 °C or warmed to temperatures up to 50 °C. Suitable pairings include boldly seasoned tomato dishes, duck confit, cassoulet or mussels in white wine sauce. This bottling contains 15% alcohol and comes in a bottle containing 0.72 litres.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The aroma is gentle, with restrained fruitiness. Savoury umami notes suggest miso and a hint of soy sauce.
• Palate: The sake feels fluid and pleasantly sweet on the palate, with a balanced relationship between sweetness, umami and acidity. On exhaling, notes of shiitake, toasted grain, blackberries and fresh raspberries emerge.
• Finish: The finish remains subtle, with a gently enveloping mouthfeel.

Distillery/Bottler:

Izumibashi Shuzo Co.,Ltd. was founded in 1857 and is based in Ebina, Kanagawa Prefecture. The brewery is run by Yuichi Hashiba, the sixth generation to lead the business. It grows its own sake rice in Ebina and neighbouring areas and also processes rice from regional partners. Rice polishing is carried out in-house.

The brewery works with small brewing batches and produces koji in individual shallow trays. It uses the Kimoto method for 50% of its production. Its brewing water is mineral-rich groundwater from the Tanzawa Mountains. Located on the Sagami floodplain, the brewery is closely connected to the surrounding rice fields. The dragonfly on its labels refers to this landscape and the insects flying over the rice fields.

Facts: