Oka Kura Sweet Sake Vermouth 'Japanese Bermutto'

Oka Kura Bermutto (a Japanese phonetic spelling of vermouth), continues its exploration of aromatized, fortified sake with this sweet expression. Building upon a rebalancing of the four base botanicals of the drier, core Bermutto, Sweet Bermutto incorporates a powerful fifth ingredient: a bitter Japanese plum called ume. Ume’s tart astringency is right at home in this bitter botanical blend and is perfectly complemented and balanced by raw cane sugar from Okinawa.

Specifications:
Brewery: Tsutsumi Distillery
Region: Kumamoto
Rice: Akita Sake Komachi Rice
Alcohol: 18%
Serve: Chilled, on the rocks with a citrus garnish or in a cocktail

Produced at the legendary Tsutsumi Shuzo, which has been producing shochu in the Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu, Japan, for nearly 150 years, Oka Kura Bermutto is an aromatized sake fortified with shochu. Bermutto, a Japanese phonetic spelling of vermouth, is a uniquely Japanese interpretation of the classic fortified wine. The parallels are obvious—both begin with a low-proof, fermented alcoholic beverage which is then bittered with wormwood, flavored with citrus and herbs, and finally fortified with a distillate. But while vermouth is built around a base of wine and typically fortified with a neutral distillate, Oka Kura Bermutto is made from Junmai sake and fortified with 100% rice shochu.

Sake producers have a long history of adding botanicals to their products, much like wines such as vermouth and quinquina have been aromatized. In that same tradition, Oka Kura fortifies their aromatized sakes with shochu, just as vermouths are fortified. Bermutto uses yomogi, a Japanese mugwort, as its primary bittering agent in addition to the Japanese citrus fruits yuzu and kabosu, and sansho peppercorn, a citrusy peppercorn which produces a mouth-numbing effect.

Richer and more robust than the drier, flagship Bermutto with aromas of stewed cherry, orange peel, brown sugar, and wood spice; the palate is bright and acidic with the kabosu and yomogi notably dialed up, lending notes of black tea, tart cherry, and citrus zest. The ume is prominent throughout, providing subtle marzipan and oxidized fruit notes with an acidity similar to umeshu (Japanese plum liqueur). Oka Kura Sweet Bermutto is right at home in a wide variety of cocktail applications—from spritzes and highballs to cocktails calling for sweet vermouth, quinquina, or americano.

All alcohol shipments require an adult signature. Please ship your package where someone over 21 can sign for it.

We are not responsible for heat-related issues, and we do not offer ice packs because melting ice packs can compromise the integrity of cardboard boxes in transit, risking damage to your package. Please consider the weather when placing your order, especially during the summer.