Tamagawa Sake Brewery Tasting Set
Tamagawa Sake Brewery Tasting Set
Size: 2 x 720ml, 1 × 360ml | ABV: 16-21%
In 3 words: Rich, complex umami
Experience the bold, unconventional world of Kyoto’s Tamagawa Brewery with this masterfully curated trio. Led by Philip Harper, the first non-Japanese toji, Tamagawa is famed for its robust, umami-driven style and mastery of spontaneous fermentation. This set features the high-impact 'Red Label' Yamahai Genshu—a powerhouse of natural brewing—and the legendary 'Time Machine,' a luscious, honey-sweet tribute to a 1712 recipe. Completing the collection is the nutty, versatile Tokubetsu Junmai. From deep savory depths to historical sweetness, this set showcases Tamagawa’s raw, artisanal approach to craft, making it the perfect exploration for the adventurous palate.
Grade: Tokubetsu Junmai; Yamahai Junmai (Genshu), Junmai (Kimoto)
Brewery: Tamagawa
Region: Kyoto
Try pairing me with tempura
In this set…
Tamagawa Tokubetsu Junmai Sake
In 3 words: Simply Happier Hot
Best enjoyed warmed, this is a classic junmai with rich, crisp flavour which complements fresh seafood (crab, oysters etc) as well as tremendous match for tempura, fried foods, and all fuller-flavoured items on Japanese menus. Smokey, nutty top notes are joined by zingy berry-like fruitiness and plenty of rice-driven umami.
Rice variety: Kitanishiki (Hyogo Prefecture)
Rice polishing: 66%
Sweet or dry: Medium sweet
Sake Meter Value +4.4
Acidity: 1.6
Food Pairing: crab, oysters, gyoza, karaaage chicken, tempura
Serving temp: Chilled to Room Temperature
Dietary: No sulfites, no preservatives. vegetarian, vegan
Try pairing me with burger and blue cheese
Tamagawa 'Red Label' Yamahai Genshu Junmai Sake
In 3 words: Rich, Robust & Complex
“Red Label” uses the pre-modern ‘Yamahai’ brewing method meaning it utilises natural ambient yeasts that thrive within Tamagawa’s brewery. The resulting punchy brew is rich in amino acids landing a robust explosion of flavor. Bottled right from the press without filtration, dilution or other intervention. One for more advanced sake exploration.
Rice variety: Kitanishiki (Hyogo Prefecture)
Sweet or dry: Medium sweet
Sake Meter Value +3.8
Acidity: 2.9
Food Pairing: stews, grilled meats, oysters, and even challenging blue cheeses.
Serving temp: Chilled to Room Temperature
Dietary: No sulfites, no preservatives. vegetarian, vegan
Try pairing me with blue cheese
Tamagawa 'Time Machine' Junmai Kimoto Sake
In 3 words: Savoury, honey & umami
Another unique brew from Tamagawa, ‘Time Machine’ is produced following a method first recorded in 1712 that delivers tons of umami, natural organic acids and sugars. The aroma smacks you with syrupy molasses and dried apricots, Then the amber, umami-laden nectar packs an eye-brow raising punch that drinks like a fine dessert wine and demands a quality blue cheese plate to match.
Rice variety: Kitanishiki (Hyogo Prefecture)
Sweet or dry: Sweet
Sake Meter Value -43.8
Acidity: 3.3
Food Pairing: ice cream, tiramisu, cheese platters (especially blue cheese)
Serving temp: Room temperature to slightly warmed
Dietary: No sulfites, no preservatives. vegetarian, vegan
The Brewery
Kinoshita
A flagship sake brand from the Kinoshita brewery, Tamagawa has delighted drinkers around the world with its versatile flavours and food-friendly nature. An interesting note about Kinoshita is that the toji (master brewer) is from the UK and that Tamagawa sake continues to be revered throughout the industry.
At a glance:
The brand name means Jewel River
Philip Harper, from Cornwall, England, joined in 2007 as Toji (head brewer)
Kinoshita have a 3U (unfiltered, undiluted, unpasturised) approach to sake production
