Aged Sake

[ShortWiner]

Hanahato Kijoshu Sake, aged 8 years. I had a glass last night at the brand new Mandarin Oriental Hotel off Columbus Circle. I have a friend who loves fancy hotel bars, and he convinced me to meet him there. The bar is on the 35th floor, looking south down Broadway. Beautiful spot. So I picked this $12 glass of sake because I was curious. It had the deep brown color of Sherry, and some similar nutty-sweet aromas, but also a sort of not unpleasant fermented quality, almost like a hint of the sea. Nuts and dried fruit palate, full bodied and very smooth, semi-sweet, with a very clean albeit somewhat abrupt finish. Served chilled. A very interesting experience.