Why should you take it?
Sake brewed by a team of young brewers led by the president, a former childcare worker.
The Zao brand is represented by keywords such as "100% Hattan sake rice from Hiroshima Prefecture", "subsoil water from the Zao mountain range", "Zao Oroshi cold wind in winter", "mainly young brewers" and the "K (Kokoro) series", a brand distributed exclusively by special dealers. Furthermore, it has received numerous awards, such as 'Awarded at the SAKE COMPETITION' and 'Awarded as a young master brewer'.
The brand that caught the sommelier's attention at the blind tasting we organised was this ZAO (Zao) Junmai Ginjo K.
A sip is cool and beautifully refreshing, with a gentle aroma and a crisp, clean taste that will stay with you. Drink it on its own or enjoy it with a meal. It is felt to be such an ongoing, gentle approach to drinking.
So how does such a drink come about? It has to do with the young president's previous experience as a childcare worker. President Watanabe says: "Neither children nor alcohol follow instructions. It is important to watch over them and let them grow up as they are. There are many similarities".
The team of young brewers believe in the power of rice and nature, and discuss and debate the making of sake. We hope you will experience the philosophy of the brewers behind our delicious sake.
Katsunari Sawada / KURA ONE® Owner
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Product
KURA ONE®Zao K Jumai-ginjo (180ml)
This "ZAO K" is a Junmai (pure rice)-ginjo sake made from 50% polished Yamadanishiki rice grown in Hiroshima prefecture. It has a gentle aroma reminiscent of ripe bananas, and when you taste it, it is soft and smooth, followed by a mild acidity and a hint of sweetness. It has a rich yet not heavy body, and its excellent balance between slight acidity and moderate sweetness shines through. When paired with creamy or cheesy dishes, it enhances the sweetness and tenderness of the ingredients, adding more depth to the flavor. The K (Kokoro) series is a limited edition available only at selected stores.
Brewer: Zao Shuzo
Area：Shiroishi / Miyagi
Ingredients: Rice (domestic), Rice malt (domestic)
Alcohol content: 16%.
Rice polishing ratio: 50
JAN: 4595644645084
(per can)
Size: 5.7 x 5.7 x 9.9 cm
Weight: 0.196 kg
Capacity: 180ml
Awards
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Brewery
Zao Shuzo
The Zao shuzo was founded in 1873 and started as a small private brewery with an initial capacity of 25 koku. Today it is the only brewery in Shiroishi city.
Located at the foot of the Zao mountain range, it takes advantage of the cold winter Zao Oroshi winds and the soft water of the Zao Federation. The brewery uses mainly locally contract-grown rice and produces sake once a year from November to March. Zao shuzo is characterised by its delicious yet crisp sake, with an impressive 'limpid' taste.
The young president, toji and deputy toji are constantly taking on the challenge of creating new sake, and since 2015 various projects have been developed, such as the K-series (Kokoro series), which is available exclusively through special dealers. With a rich history of national and international awards, new buds are blossoming while preserving tradition.
Area
Shiroishi / Miyagi
Shiroishi City is the gateway to Miyagi Zao. From the keep of Shiroishi Castle, the natural beauty of the Zao mountain range can be seen. The wooden keep, recreated using modern technology and traditional construction methods, is an amazing structure that uses no reinforcing metal fittings other than Japanese nails.
Shiroishi Castle Town has a quaint townscape alive with dug-outs and waterways, and the storehouses of merchant houses that still remain. Shiroishi U-men is a traditional taste that has been loved for over 400 years and is made without oil, using only flour and salt water.
Furthermore, the city is also attractive for its hot springs, which have been healing people since ancient times, and the beautiful nature at the foot of Mount Zao. Shiroishi City is a city with a rich and varied history, atmosphere, gastronomy and hot springs.
KURA ONE®TRIP
Travelling at the foot of the Zao mountain range
