Affordable and above-average Sake at the LCBO

Sho Chiku Bai Jyosen Sake comes to us from Kyoto, the capital of Japan’s largest island: Honshu.

The Sho Chiku Bai that was most widely available in Canada has been discontinued as it was being made in California. Lucky for us, these new products are now available and they are just that much nicer.

This Jyosen sake remains in the dry spectrum with an acidity classified as medium. It’s precisely this balance that makes it a versatile choice for a variety of dishes. It also gives you a hint of Asian pear on the nose.

It’s not a “Junmai” sake. This means it’s had a neutral rice spirit added to it giving it a little leaner texture and a lift in the yeast and rice profile. 

For those who like their sake warm (45 C), this is the choice for you when enjoying a more robust fish like grilled mackerel. It also worked well with salad in a miso dressing.

Sho Chiku Bai Kyoto Junmai, as the name tells us, is a Junmai and is therefore 100% rice with no addition of spirits.

It has a softer, rounder mouthfeel than the previous sake. It’s almost creamy with hints of honeydew melon and suggestions of vanilla ice cream. 

Not overly complex, it does however, put you more into a contemplative state of mind as you’ll want to sip this one. 

Match its texture with sushi such as hotate (scallops) or ika (squid/cuttlefish). This sake can be served warm but is best slightly cool or at room temperature. Also a good choice for mushroom risotto.