Ozeki Karatamba Honjozo Sake

Ozeki was founded in 1711 by Ozakaya Chobei in the Nada district of Hyogo Prefecture. Karatamba is one of the brewery's core brands alongside One Cup, and Ozeki USA lists its origin as Hyogo, Japan.

It is brewed by a Tamba toji, a master brewer from the Tamba Brewers' Guild, which Ozeki calls one of Japan's three great brewers' guilds. Karatamba is a Honjozo, meaning a small amount of distilled alcohol is added. Ozeki gives a polishing ratio of 70%, a sake meter value of +7, acidity of 1.4 and 15.5% alcohol.

Ozeki describes it as extra dry, crisp and light-bodied. Its +7 sake meter value confirms a firmly dry style.

Against Ozeki Classic Dry Junmai, Karatamba is drier and comes from Japan rather than California; for a crisp sake that also takes well to warming, choose Karatamba.

Ozeki rates it highest served chilled at 40 to 50°F or warm at 95 to 105°F, so it works year-round. The brewery suggests rib-eye steak, sashimi, fried chicken and spicy food.

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