OKA KURA JAPANESE BERMUTTO SAKE VERMOUTH 750ML 18%

This is the first and only Japanese Vermouth! There is a long history of adding herbs and flavoring to Sake in Japan, and this keeps with tradition by fortifying Junmai Sake with rice shochu. It's further acidified to add further complexity and light bitterness. The result is a decidedly Japanese take on vermouth with warming spices and sage on the nose, mellow citrus on the mid-palate, and a grassy finish with lean bitterness and lingering hints of yeast. Oka Kura Brand Japanese Bermutto is produced at Tsutsumi Distillery in Kumamoto, Japan. Tsutsumi Distillery has been producing traditional shochu for 141 years and is 1 of only 28 distilleries certified by the WTO as a Kuma Shochu producer, which is similar to the DOC’s of Scotch, Tequila & Cognac. Using 100% rice and only crystal-clear water from the Kuma River, Tsutsumi Distillery is tremendously respected for their ability to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation. TASTING NOTES There is a long history of adding herbs and flavoring to sake in Japan, the same way aromatized wines came into being in Europe. It was believed that herbs and spices blended with alcohol were curative and, for more pragmatic reasons, often served to make the wine or sake taste better. Oka Brand Japanese Bermutto keeps with this tradition by fortifying Junmai Sake with rice shochu. The fortified sake is acidified with Yuzu and Kabosu, and Sansho Peppercorn and Yomogi (Japanese Mugwort) add further complexity and light bitterness. The result is a decidedly Japanese take on vermouth with warming spices and sage on the nose, mellow citrus on the mid-palate, and a grassy finish with lean bitterness and lingering hints of yeast. 18% ABV