Happy Hour Sake Tasting with Special Guest Sake Specialist for Kobrand Andrew Sowers

“his lips drink water

but his heart drinks wine”

E.E. Cummings

And we are usually drinking wine here at Wine Watch but when the Sake expert from Kobrand stopped in a few weeks ago and tasted me on a small selection of their best brands I said it looks like we need to do some scientific work with Sake!

We have a lot of the brands that Kobrand represents on the shelf here at Wine Watch as almost everything in their portfolio is worthy of being on the shelf at Wine Watch.  I have to admit that I have a strong liking for Sake and would like to learn more about it so we have our first Sake tasting on Thursday, July 9^th. 

This is a happy hour style event and we will be serving some appetizers to accompany the Sake.  Our host this evening is the grand Sake master of Korband Andrew Sowers.  The fee for this tasting is $55 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com. 

Happy Hour Sake Tasting

with Special Guest Sake Specialist for Kobrand Andrew Sowers

Thursday, July 9, 2026

6:00 PM

Earthy & full flavored

Shichi Hon Yari Junmai 1.8L

List  $56.25                         Sale $50.62

 A big bottle from our oldest producer, good time to pour from this size and discuss the history!

• https://www.jotosake.com/breweries/tomita-brewery/
• Brewery originated in 1540, classic mountain sake that is full flavored
• Uses local Tamazakae rice which is very hard and soaks water for an extended period

Fuku Chitose Yamahai Junmai 720ml

List $30.50                           Sale $27.45

The nose is ery distinct and some would say funky and vegetal

• https://www.jotosake.com/breweries/huchu-homare-brewery/
• Slightly effervescent due to flash pasteurization, quickly heating and then cooling down bottles
• English name is “Pacific Ocean” since this is the first sake

Dry & Refreshing

Taiheikai Tokubetsu Junmai 720ml

List $39.75                          Sale $35.78

Bright and zippy with slight effervescence, melon & complexity

• https://www.jotosake.com/breweries/huchu-homare-brewery/
• Slightly effervescent due to flash pasteurization, quickly heating and then cooling down bottles
• English name is “Pacific Ocean” since this is the first sake

Eiko Fuji Origarami Nigori 720ml

List $40.50                          Sale $36.45

Very light extremely popular & limited

• https://www.jotosake.com/eiko-fuji-brewery/
• Origarami is a new style of light sediment nigori
• Yamagata is a famous region for lighter and fruitier styles of sake

Fruity & Bright

Izumo Fuji Junmai Ginjo 720ml

List $38.25                          Sale $34.42

richer umami-type sake polished to daiginjo levels, incredible and younger producer

• https://www.jotosake.com/izumo-fuji-brewery/
• Savory “umami type” sake that has more amino acid complexity
• Polished to daiginjo level of 50% yet still labeled as a Junmai ginjo

Joto Daiginjo 720ml

List $31.00                          Sale $27.90

should have one daiginjo, made with the apple yeast

• https://www.jotosake.com/breweries/nakao-brewery/
• Uses the famous apple yeast isolated in 1947
• Daiginjo, not a Junmai daiginjo, has added neutral distilled spirit to balance flavors, not increase abv

“Luxury” Option

Chikurin Otoro Namazake Junmai Ginjo 720ml

Price: $40.50                     Sale $36.45

 Spring seasonal Namazake (unpasteurized) that we have very small amounts of every year, Very Limited

• https://www.jotosake.com/breweries/marumoto-brewery/
• Spring seasonal, only released once a year, extremely fresh
• Rich body and full fruit make this an excellent pairing for fatty fish

Menu

Tuna Sashimi with Citrus Ponzu

Scallop Ceviche

Miso and Ginger Fried Chicken Bites

Sake and Soy Braised Pork Belly  Bites

Friench Brie, Prosciutto, Bresaola, Toasted Walnuts and Castelvetrano Olives

The fee for this tasting is $55 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.

A bit about our host:

Andrew Sowers is the Southeast Regional Manager for Joto Sake and an SSI & WSET Certified Sake Sommelier. Currently based out of Miami but born and raised in Kentucky, he spent 4 years as the Beverage Director for Azabu in NYC, a Michelin-starred, omakase focused, subterranean sushi hideout deep in Tribeca. More recently, he was the General Manager and Beverage Director of Shalom Japan in Brooklyn, a wildly delicious Jewish-Japanese fusion restaurant owned by married chefs, Aaron Israel & Sawako Okochi. Andrew now brings solid sake knowledge and 14 years' restaurant experience to new friends across the country.