Ibi Tokujun 15-go

"Ibi," from Sugihara Shuzo — which bills itself as Japan's smallest sake brewery — is a brand whose charm lies in the careful brewing that its small volume allows. "Tokubetsu Junmai 15" was born from an attempt to express the strawberry that the brewery owner's daughter loves so much. Fresh sweetness and a mellow body harmonise in good balance, and a moderate acidity gives the flavour a light finish. An annin tofu (almond jelly)-like aroma in the mouth serves as an accent, making for a deep, multi-layered sweetness in this bottle.