If you're looking for a Chinese New Year article, check out this one about Year of the Snake themed Spirits.
Sake occupies this liminal space where it's both a heritage built upon generations of craft, but also a liquor that wouldn't seem entirely blasphemous to add flavour to. Pineapple Chili Whisky will just have to remain a pipe dream for now.
When we first got wind of MÙA Craft Saké, its unique editions beyond conventional Japanese fruits easily roused curiosity. Guava Kumquat, Passionfruit Cubeb... it all seemed kinda regional. Then came the double whammy discovery that the brand was founded in Vietnam; which made it all make sense.
While flagship product The Classic uses standard Japonica rice strain, someone must have figured it would be a pity for Vietnam's first craft sake brewery not to harness Vietnamese-grown Indica rice. ST25, what we like to think is the long grain's hood name, marks the labels of the specialty range.
It's Japanese craftmanship meets Vietnamese ingredients. We say this because Japanese koji mold is what kickstarts the fermentation process, and the yeast strains are imported directly from the brewing institutes of Japan. For those concerned with the water, the local source is stripped of impurities to ultra-clean perfection.
Interestingly, MÙA falls under the Namanama subcategory of sakes that do not undergo two typical rounds of pasteurisation. Instead, the single pasteurised spirit is fruit-based filtered to enhance the blend and round the flavours. So really, meticulous standards of Japanese brewing techniques matched with the best of Vietnamese cultivation.
The current range spans
It's great when a product actually lives up to its description. With Pineapple Chili, you can discern hints of the fruit and an obvious spice on the palate in a way that is balanced and not overwhelming. The Yuzu Dragon is equally light and easy when neat, almost taking away the guilt of drinking.
We also got to savour the Pure Rice, which is the first 15% ABV of the range. That's nearly double the ABV of Pineapple Chili but honestly, it was too smooth to tell. If you happen to be familiar with Niigata's Hakkaisan sakes, its taste profile resembles the 3 Years Snow Aged Junmai Daiginjo. Again, proceed with caution because my god does it go down effortlessly.
The Pure Rice earns a dedicated spot on the board with a cocktail of Calpis, peach tea, and lime. Peach Please (SGD18) is available until 31 December.
Sake Saturdays brunch programme will host the array of Pineapple Chili, Passionfruit Cubeb and more in taproom-style, complete with three-liter party kegs. Cause you know, brunch hard or go home.
MÙA Craft Sake also stocks at Omu Nomu for seasonal releases, Good Luck Beerhouse, and Sushi Zushi.
