Kubota Suiju: A Summer Sake Classic
At a Glance: A summer-release namazake that is elegant, fresh, and quite complex. While unpasteurized sake can often be intense– Suiju has a mellow, softer touch.
Kubota Suiju marries complexity with subtlety. This Daiginjo Namazake is lightweight and soft with layers of fruit, floral, and mineral notes. Specific notes include banana, melon, cherry, steamed rice, fresh flowers, and bubblegum. The aromatic intensity of Suiju is modest, which helps frame the quiet but regal nature. Kubota Suiju has a style that’s in stark contrast to its brash and bold Nama Muraka Genshu cousins.
Release for this Kubota bottling is typically in the summer.
Pairing/ Service
Most sashimi and nigiri will be delicious when paired with Suiju. Tempura, Hamachi shioyaki, oysters, ama-ebi, and uni are also good choices. Very strong flavors are best avoided. This is because of the light and soft nature of this brew. An exception is Suiju’s ability to stand up to bitter flavored items like mustard greens.
A wine glass is probably the best way to try this sake. There is a lot of subtle complexity that will be missed in smaller ochoko. For an authentic feel– a guinomi will be a good compromise. Always serve Suiju chilled.
Tech & Production Info
Rice: Gohyakumangoku milled to 40% for kojimai, 50% for kakemai
SMV: +4 Acid: 0.9 ABV: 14%
Released annually from April-September.
the Brewery
Brewery: Asahi Shuzo 朝日酒造 Location: Asahi, Nagaoka, Niigata
EST: 1830 Official Site
The Kubota brand might be the most well-known in Niigata. It’s a relative newcomer to Asahi Shuzo’s portfolio, with their brand Asahiyama being their original product line. Niigata sake tends to be dry, compact, and mellow, and Kubota represents the archetype of this style.
John Gauntner + True Sake provide this quality resource
Label / Kanji
Asahi 朝日 Kubota 久保田 Suijyu 翠寿
Daiginjo 大吟 Namazake 生酒
Gohyakumangoku 五百万石
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