Shiga Kogen Isseki Sancho is a 12% imperial dark saison from Tamamura Honten, based in Yamanouchi, in Nagano, Japan. It’s part of their limited edition range, with this version actually being the second version of Shiga Kogen Isseki Sancho with an earlier version topping in at 9%. This version is a collaborative effort with the Canadian brewery, Brasserie Dieu du Ciel. It uses Ichiro’s Malt casks for the aging process and was stored in barrels for almost two and a half years after is was first made in 2017.
Shiga Kogen Isseki Sancho Aroma and Taste
Shiga Kogen Isseki Sancho poured out a dark brown, almost black, colour with a finger’s worth of fluffy off-white head on top. That is perhaps the nicest thing I can say about Shiga Kogen Isseki Sancho really – an imperial dark saison sounds interesting at best but in practice? Not really. There was a huge peaty aroma that just decimated everything else in the beer – and that was when it was chilled. When Shiga Kogen Isseki Sancho had warmed up? All of the other aromas had no hope whatsoever in coming through – sometimes beers should not be put into whiskey casks.
That same taste was present in the body and made Shiga Kogen Isseki Sancho just an unpleasant beer to drink – something that I didn’t think I would ever say about an effort from Shiga Kogen. I’ve read reviews about this being a dark fruited beer, perhaps this bottle was just bad because nothing like that came through – at all.
Shiga Kogen Isseki Sancho The Bottom Line
If this is a bad bottle, then I crapped out. Really do not recommend this at all.
Where to Buy Shiga Kogen Isseki Sancho
Shiga Kogen Isseki Sancho can be bought online at the following places:
