The brand was named Toyo Bijin, or “Asian Beauty,” by Sumikawa Brewing Company’s founder in honor of his late wife. This particular brew gives an aroma red apple that fades to an almost nutmeg spice. It is a very dry sake, said to be “strong enough to kill a devil.” Be prepared for this but also enjoy its decent umami retained from the Yamadanishiki rice used in its brewing.
Toyo Bijin is brewed in Yamaguchi Prefecture in the Chugoku region.
Sumikawa Brewing Company
Yamaguchi Prefecture
Founded in 1921 by the Sumikawa family, this brewery rests in the hills near a small village to the northeast of Yamaguchi. They are known for their ginjo sake and their brand, “Toyo Bijin.” At the renowned SAKE COMPETITION, their brews bring home gold medals almost every year! To create these beauties, the brewery uses rice carefully sourced through direct contracts with farmers, and they even grow a little Yamadanishiki sake rice themselves for limited release. Produced with soft spring water and long, low temperature fermentation, their sake continues to be a delight, year after year.
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