cigars and sake


Ken Gargett

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wondering if anyone has looked at combining the two to any extent?

tried a Mag 50 with a really good sake the other night. interesting but i think i need a lot more testing to make any conclusions. anyone with experience, please let us know.

the sake was Junmai Ginjo Dewa Sansa from the Dewazakura distillery.

in case anyone is interested, some notes on it from the distributors.

The Dewazakura Sake Brewery was established in 1892. It is located in Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture, a small town of 60,000 residents located 300 kilometres north of Tokyo. Situated in the Yamagata Basin and surrounded by high mountains, Tendo City is hot in summer, often exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, and in winter can receive considerable snowfall, often exceeding one meter in depth. These natural features, including the climate, have made the region a major production centre of rice, fruits and other products. The Nakano’s, the founders of Dewazakura, were originally major landowners in the region. Since its foundation, Dewazakura has been committed to quality, the top priority for the brewery.
Dewazakura have played a significant role in the Yamagata prefecture developing their own rice suited to their region with the local agricultural bureau, and this is known as Dewa Sansan, which Dewazakura uses for a selection of their sake. They have also developed special yeast to suit the climate. Dewazakura are known for their distinctive 'fragrant' sake, which can be attributed to their yeast selection as well as their low temperature fermentation techniques. Yamagata prefecture does not have any large sake companies hence all individual sake breweries show their own character but tend to have a fragrant sake style. Like many producers, Dewazakura also use rice from outside their region, sourcing Yamadanishiki rice from Hyogo prefecture. Dewazakura are considered one of the industry leaders in innovation, and were largely responsible for the Ginjo ‘boom’ in Japan in the early 1980’s.
Dewa Sansan rice is grown only in the Yamagata prefecture. This rice makes a very soft and deep flavoured style of sake. It shows characters that resemble wine and has hints of herbs, yeast, and mushrooms. The palate has good zingy acidity, with citrus/lemon tang, and a clean and fresh finish with wonderful mouth feel.
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My experience with Sake is pretty limited but my thoughts are that it would clear the palate and match nicely.

Would like to hear some final thoughts.

A search bought this up.

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=118055

thanks for that. i remember we had touched on it somewhere but completely forgotten i'd been that involved.

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I like the idea of pairing something like what you've tried based off the notes with something like a Ramon Allones. I think the nutty floral notes of that cigar could go with the citrus finish. Good one!

Expensive bottle?

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I think of sake as being very delicate and mellow. Can't see a cigar enhancing that at all.

Sort of like some great nigiri with a 16% abv Napa Cab...doesn't make sense and is almost disrespectful.

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I like the idea of pairing something like what you've tried based off the notes with something like a Ramon Allones. I think the nutty floral notes of that cigar could go with the citrus finish. Good one!

Expensive bottle?

that bottle is about A$27 for 300ml. i have a couple of full sized bottles to try that sit around the A$100 per bottle. i should add that they came as samples for something i am doing, rather than me out there splashing that dosh. i wish.

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I think of sake as being very delicate and mellow. Can't see a cigar enhancing that at all.

Sort of like some great nigiri with a 16% abv Napa Cab...doesn't make sense and is almost disrespectful.

I would tend to align with this. I prefer cold sake and have some great unfiltered laying around. I tried pairing it with cigars. Couldn't find a winner. I could potentially see it working with a siglo or perhaps a le hoyo.
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I think of sake as being very delicate and mellow. Can't see a cigar enhancing that at all.

Sort of like some great nigiri with a 16% abv Napa Cab...doesn't make sense and is almost disrespectful.

I often find it's the other way around for me. The drink enhances the cigar of choice, although I haven't tried this combination I'm really interested.

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Never combined the two before. Although on at least two occasions, i have had a cigar after far too many glasses of Soju.

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