One of my obligatory stops on any trip to Tokyo is Tamanegiya (酒たまねぎや). Ever since my first visit in 2010, this has become my go-to place for sake. It's not for everyone... it helps to be able to converse in Japanese with Master, and one really needs to have an appreciation of good sake. Oh, and keep in mind that Master is a right-wing nationalist, who has admittedly toned things down a little in recent years - at least judging from the decor within the bar.
So while I have - against the wishes of some people who want to keep this a secret - disclosed the name of the venue on this here blog in the past, I have also cautioned my friends against coming here thinking that they will automatically have a great time drinking great sake. After all, we did have the incident a couple of years ago where two assholes from Hong Kong - who were supposedly well-versed in Japanese culture - came and pissed off Master so much that he posted about their behavior on Facebook. We definitely don't need fuckwits like them ruining it for the rest of us.
All of our dinners in Tokyo on this trip start late, so I was originally afraid that I wouldn't have time to come over after dinner for my usual round of drinks. But I made an effort to come tonight before dinner, since the two venues aren't far away from each other.
When the three of us walked through the front door after 6:30 p.m., Master was alone. Apparently he was only expecting a few regulars who had booked for a little later, so surprisingly he was expecting a slow Friday evening. That was just fine with me.
Azumaichi Junmai Daiginjo Shizukushibori Tobintori Senbatsushu (東一 純米大吟醸 雫搾り 斗瓶取り 選抜酒), 27BY - seimaibuai (精米歩合) of 39%. Nice nose of banana, almost floral, elegant, a bit of honeydew, a little fermented rice in the nose. Sweet and smooth upfront, then dry and spicy later.
As usual, Master served up some snacks for us. We started with some stewed fish head with ginger.
There are always some tomatoes. I didn't ask him where these came from.



Isojiman Junmai Daiginjo Nakatori 35 (磯自慢 純米大吟醸 中取り 35), 26BY - best of the four. Really elegant, sweet, fragrant. Softer and a little sweet on the palate.
Isojiman Junmai Daiginjo Nakatori 35 (磯自慢 純米大吟醸 中取り 35), 27BY - nose of banana. Dry on the palate with good depth.
Isojiman Junmai Daiginjo Nakatori 35 (磯自慢 純米大吟醸 中取り 35), 28BY - lots of melon notes and really sweet on the nose. Almost like melon soda. Still a little sharp on the nose. Nice depth on the palate.
Isojiman Junmai Daiginjo Nakatori 35 (磯自慢 純米大吟醸 中取り 35), 29BY - really fresh, lots of musk melon, really sweet. A bit young and some sharp alcohol on the nose.

No comments:
Post a Comment