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.
On this side of the world miles away from Mexico, we can't confidently say we are excellent purveyors of this particular liquour. We know our way around whiskies, whether Scotch, Bourbon, or Japanese. Gin, we practically make our own. Vodka notoriously in party heydays, with tequila not too many shots behind. Don't look so guilty now.
Agavepura, on the other hand, would leave most with a confused expression. (Sounds like an island replete with Agave.) Fair, because it comes from this brand's own terminology. It refers to the pure spirit crafted from the wild Agave plant grown in India's Deccan Plateau.
Like most premium alcohols, Maya Pistola adheres to a meticulous selection process. Only the finest Agave Americana, aged between eight to 14 years, is harvested from the Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. Each plant is carefully monitored to ensure that the sugars have fully peaked. After distillation, the spirit takes on a character of its own in Goa, where it is matured with high respect for integrity.
The clean spirit has since earned an impressive 32 national and international accolades since its launch in 2022. Not only for taste and quality in this year's The Asian Spirits Masters but for its sustainability efforts as well.
Maya Pistola caters to every palate. The Pistola Joven, a blend of unaged and two-month-aged agave, bursts with the vibrant flavours of the raw plant, making it a refreshing choice for adventurous drinkers. Those seeking a little more depth will find Reposado a balanced complexity through ageing in a combination of Virgin American White Oak and ex-Bourbon casks.
The recently launched Añejo, matures for over 14 months and introduces a subtle smoky finish. For connoisseurs, the Extra Añejo goes extra, maturing more than 36 months in New American Oak barrels for a finish akin to a fine Cognac. Rosa, with a delicate rose hue, delivers a lush profile for wine enthusiasts from its time in ex-Cabernet Sauvignon casks.
Two limited-edition releases are based off the series with Rosa Select, a single cask bottling at 37.5 per cent ABV, and the Phoenix Añejo, aged for 20 months at 40 per cent ABV.
Maya Pistola stocks at Destination Beverage and online via Lazada, but you can try it with flair in cocktails at Smoke & Mirrors, Potato Head and Anti:Dote.
