'Ine Mankai’ Junmai

Kyo no Kagayaki & Murasaki red rice, Kyoto, Japan

A new to market MULTI-SAVOURY Junmai genshu red rice sake that’s HOT HOT HAWT! The Mukai Shuzō brewery is located in a fishing village in Kyoto, and we hear that locals are able to dock their boat at the brewery to pick up their sake! In early 2000, head brewmaster Kuniko Mukai launched her red rice sake, dubbing it 'Ine Mankai’ (translating to ‘Ine in Full Bloom’), an obviously unique sake, it is made with an ancient strain of red rice called Murasaki along with a local Kyoto rice. FUN FACT! In Japan, red rice has been cultivated and used for traditional celebrations in provincial villages and towns for centuries, but it is extremely rare to see red rice used in the production of sake! MORE FUN FACTS! This brewery was the first to nominate a woman as tōji (master brewer) in 1998 when she was only 22! LAST FUN FACT (we promise, unless you’re super into it)! The brewing and rice cooking facilities are located in two different buildings, meaning that the workers have to cross the street with piping hot rice every time a new batch is cooked! A blend of 70% polished, large-grained, low-protein Kyo no Kagayaki rice & 90% polished Murasaki red rice which has a black exterior, purple interior, plus yeast strain #701. A deep burnt pink hue, dried flowers, black tea and amaro-esque bitters, buttermilk viscosity, brined cherries, malt savouriness, warm carrot cake, incalculable umami richness with yams, black garlic, smoked olive tapenade, all rounded by sweet pomegranate paste. Try alongside a dark chocolate lava cake or SAUCY stir fry.