The art of traditional wooden barrel making is under threat in Japan as demand is low and skilled craftsmen are few. Imayotsukasa Sake Brewery wanted to preserve the technique of brewing sake in wood, so they commissioned two 4000 L barrels to be made and the brewing staff participated in their construction to learn skills from the master craftsmen. These barrels were used to ferment this sake and the bottle signifies this with a label design giving an almost three-dimensional image of wood. The faint yellow colour of the sake is visible in the grain pattern.

The full name of this sake is Hito to Ki to Hitotoki Junmai and this is a Japanese play on words meaning – “man and tree and a moment in time “ which really describes the vision of this sake. The sake has a soft, fragrant nose of honeysuckle, straw, apricot, coconut and vanilla with fresh cedar notes. The flavours develop gently on the medium-bodied, textured palate with brûléed peach, and umami. The sake is calming and has a clean, dry finish. Although the sake has been brewed in wood the brewery has been careful to dial the wood elements back to let the delicacy of the rice show through.

• Brewery: IMAYO TSUKASA
• Region: Niigata
• Classification: Junmai 
• %ALC/VOL: 16%
• Net Volume: 720ml; 1.8L
• Rice: Gohyakumangoku
• Rice Polishing Ratio: 65%
• SMV: +4
• Serve: Cold | Chilled
• Matching Food: Fried Chicken, Salads, Grilled Vegetables, Quiche, Grilled Snapper.