Category Archives: sake

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Oomuraya Brewery-Junmai Jyuubei

October 16, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Oomuraya Brewery in Shimada City has the enormous merit to promote local farmers by using locally grown sake rice. St the same time they ensure that rice will be available in case of unssen events!

They even have a special name for it: Jyuubei/重兵衛!

This sake is made with 100% gohyakumangoku rice grown in Shimada City!

It is grown by no less than 10 farmers!

Rice: hyakumangoku (Shimada city grown)
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in may 2014

Clarity: very clear
Color: faint golden hue
Aroma: assertive. fruity and sweetish. banana, macadamia nuts, apples
Body: fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Dryish and very fruity attack backed up with pleasant junmai petillant.
Complex: Banana, melon, sweet almonds, macadamia nuts.
Lingers for a little while before departing on a sweeter note.
Late appearance of drier almonds, chestnuts and dark chocolate.
At times reminds of a sweet white Port.
Varies little with food but for a deeper and a little drier note.
Superbly marries with any food.

Overall: A remarkably elegant sake for such a modest type of sake rice.
More complex than expected and sweeter than most sake in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Superbly accompanies any food, although eminently enjoyable on its own.
At its best at room temperature, although turn into a very interesting aperitif if chilled.
My own preference is to enjoy it on its own, although I’m tempted to drink it with cheese and salty snacks

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

sake, Sake Bar, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Eikun Brewery-Tokubetsu Junmai Hiyaoroshi (conducted at La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

October 15, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

I don’t mind repeating it all the time but I prefer conducting sake tastings in the right environment but not many places are propitious for that exercise or willing to help.
But La Sommeliere in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City is certainly becoming a habit as not only I can conduct my tasting in the best conditions possible but also exchange views at the same time!

Another sake with a long name by Eikun Brewery!
Tokubetsu Junmai Hiyaoroshi (pasteurized only once) and also called “Aki Junmai/Autumn Junmai”!
It actually also a “genshu/no pure water added”!

Rice: Goyakumangoku (Fukui Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 16~17 degrees
Yeast: Shizuoka HD 101
Dryness: + 4
Acidity: 1.5
Bottled in September 2014

Clarity: very clear
Color: very faint golden hue
Aroma: fruity. pears, green apples
Body: fluid
Taste: soft, fruity and dry attack backed up by just a little junmai petillant.
Very pleasant alcohol.
Complex: coffee beans, dark chocolate.
Lingers on only for a little while.
Varies little with food but a slightly drier turn.

Overall: very elegant sake for such a high alcohol content. Actually the pleasant alcohol is very welcome.
Very complex with an unexpected difference between aroma and actual taste.
Superb on its own. To be enjoyed with very special food if you absolutely want to drink it at a repast.
Would well both as an aperitif and a digestif.
Try it with nuts, cheese or dark chocolate!

LA SOMMELIERE

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 7-5, Aiseido Bldg, 1F
Tel. & Fax: 054-266-5085
Opening hours: 11:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays & National Holidays
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sanwa Brewery-Junmai Koshu (conducted at La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

October 8, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

This is already my fifth shizuoka sake tasting article conducted there in the company of Mrs. Hiromi Hasegawa/長谷川浩美さん!

This time I tackled an extravagant 21-year old koshu/古酒/matured sake under the name of Garyubai by Sanawa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Rice: Yamada Nishiki (Hyogo Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Berwed in 1993
Bottled in October 2014

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Golden hue
Aroma: Assertive. Deep, dry and fruity.
dry persimmons, dry fruits and nuts, sherry
Body: fluid
Taste: dry, fruity and well-rounded attack backed up with puissant junmai petillant and pleasant alcohol.
Complex. Tastes like an old white sherry.
Persimmons, dry nuts, dark chocolate.
Stays faithful to itself all the time, revealing more facets with the next sips.
very mature. Lingers on the palate like a great wine. Tends to take on drier turn with further sips with late appearance of chestnuts.

Overall: Would make for a wonderful aperitif as probably best enjoyed on its own. Drinks like an old white sherry.
If you wish to pair it with food, cheese, pork meats, smoked fish and chocolate desserts would most appropriate.
An extraordinary sake for tasting and pairing at gastronomic parties/events!

LA SOMMELIERE

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 7-5, Aiseido Bldg, 1F
Tel. & Fax: 054-266-5085
Opening hours: 11:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays & National Holidays
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

sake, Sake Brewery, Shimada City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Oomuraya Brewery-Oni Otome Sachi Junmai

October 1, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

A couple years ago, Oomuraya Brewery in Shimada City came up with the idea to create a companion for their Oni Goroshi/Kill a Goblin brand and they came up with Oni Otome/Goblin Princess”!

It is a seasonal brand which appears 4 times a year with a different name and color.
Since this is Autumn, the color is brown-red and the name is “Sachi/幸/happiness”!

I tasted it with my new glass bought in Bretagne, France!

Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in September 2014

Clarity: Very clear
Color: faint golden hue
Aroma: dry and fruity. Banana, custard.
Body: fluid
Taste: Strong dry and fruity attack with puissant junmai petillant and pleasant alcohol.
Complex: custard, later dry almonds, macadamia nuts, lychees.
Dry junmai petillant stays strong all the way.
Changes little with food but for a drier note.
Alcohol tends to prove a higher presence than its normal content.
Late appearance of dry chestnuts.

Overall: A straightforward sake for dry sake lovers.
Marries well with any food.
Probably at its best with heavy BBQ or izakaya fare!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Okabe, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Hatsukame Brewery-Akiagari Honjozo Genshu

September 25, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Although cheaper than a junmai/sake not blended with pure rice alcohol, the blending of a honjozo is actually no easy matter. And it is even rare to find it in its genshu state, that is blended with pure water to lower the alcohol level!

These days Hatsukame Brewery puts a small red circle called “maru” in memory of a beloved cat of the same name!

Rice: oyama Nishiki + Gohaykumangoku
Rice milled down to 65%
Alcohol: 18~19 degrees
Dryness: + 2.0
Acidity: 1.75
Bottled in September 2014

Clarity: very clear
Color: transparent
Aroma: assertive. Pears, alcohol, green apples
Body: fluid
Taste: very dry and fruity attack backed by beautiful acidity.
After a strong alcohol appearance subtly slides onto a sweet and fruity note.
Very elegant for a honjozo.
Complex: pears, green apples.
Varies little with food.

Overall: Would make for a superb aperitif but actually marries beautifully with any food, including meat and heavy izakaya fare.
For lovers of strong but subtle sake!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Numazu City, sake, Sake Brewery

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Takashima Brewery-Hakuin Masamune Yamahai Junmai Hiyaoroshi Genshu

September 12, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

I finally had the chance to taste an old favorite of mine by Takashima Brewery in Numazu City.
Owner/Master Brewer Kazutaka Takashima uses this label to advertise the fact that Shizuoka Prefecture produces the greatest number of natural edible seaweed in Japan!

This time I conducted this tasting at A Votre Sante Wine, Sake and multi store shop in Aoi Ku, Shozuoka City!

As it is a standing bar it is the perfect place for a tasting!
The brew made for another long name!
Hakuin Masamune Yamahai Junmai (No pure alcohol blended in) Hiyaoroshi (pasteurized only once) Genshu (No water blended in)!

Rice: Ginfubuki
Rice milled down to 65%
Alcohol: 16~17 degrees
Dryness: +6
Acidity: 1.5
Bottled in Septmebr 2014

Clarity: very clear
Color: faint golden hue
Aroma: Fruity and assertive. Pears, custard
Body: fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: very assertive and fruity attack backed up with puissant junmai petillant and beautiful alcohol.
Deep and complex.
Coffee beans, dark chocolate.
Lingers on for a while warming up the palate before leaving on a drier and even deeper note with strong hints of roasted coffee beans.
Tends to show more facets with following sips.

Overall: I didn’t taste this sake with any food, and it is probably for the best.
A great sake with a character rarely found in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Makes for the perfect aperitif, but I suspect it would really enjoyable with cheese or pork meats!
Would definitely perform better than many vaunted wines.
A discovery!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Fujieda City, sake, Sake Brewery

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sugii Brewery-Suginishiki Yamahai Junmai Akiagari Homarefuji

September 12, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

These days I try conduct my tastings inside specialized establishments!

I sampled this brew by Sugii brewery at La Sommeliere Wine & sake Bar in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

Once again a long name for a Sugii Brewery sake in Fujieda City!
Suginishiki Yamahai Junmai Akiagari (first Autumn) Homarefuji!

Rice: Homarefuji (Shizuoka-grown)
Rice milled down to 70%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: ;8
Acidity: 1.6
Yeast: Association No 701
Pasteurized only once
Bottled in August 2014

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Dry and assertive. Fruity. Custard, chestnuts
Body: fluid
Taste: Very dry and fruity attack backed up by puissant junmai petillant.
Complex. Custard, chestnuts, almonds, dark chocolate.
Lingers in the palate for a little while before departing on an even drier note.
Will become even drier with food with a late appearance by greens and welcome acidity.
Dark chocolate will become more insistent once away again from food with appearance of coffee beans.

Overall: Thanks to its dryness and complexity, a sake perfect for a happy marriage with food!
Will surely take the place of a more vaunted wine!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka sake tasting: Eikun Brewery-Tokubetsu Junmai Homarefuji

August 14, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

This is the second tasting of a nectar brewed by Eikun Brewery in the mountains of Yui in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, and I conducted it in the same place as before!

At la Sommeliere in Myuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

Note that this particular sake was exclusively made with Shizuoka products including Shizuoka-grown Homarefuji rice and Shizuoka NEW-5 yeast!

Rice: Homarefuji
Rice milled down to 60%
Yeast: Shizuoka NEW5
Dryness: 2
Acidity: 1.6
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in July 2014

Clarity: very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: fruity. Banana, dark chocolate, custard.
Body: fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Very fruity and dry attack backed with puissant junmai petillant.
Complex. Pears, banana, custard. Late appearance of dry coffee beans and dark chocolate.
Disappears fairly quickly.
Drinks very easily. Really elegant and mysterious at times. Facets just keep appearing.

Overall: Superb sake despite the modest status of the rice grown in Shizuoka, which shows that not only if you have the skills to take it to a higher level Homarefuji is fast proving its value.
Beautiful aperitif when enjoyed slightly chilled.
At first I didn’t want to drink it with food but I couldn’t resist the quiche Lorraine on the menu, and discovered that it would do better than many a vaunted white wine with French gastronomy!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sanwa Brewery-Hagoromo no Mai Junmai

August 13, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Hagoromo no Mai is an old regular brand by Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, to commemorate the legend of Hagoromo/Veil lost by a deity to a fisherman had had to dance/Mai to regain it!

If you can read Japanese you will find the whole story on the label!

It is a junmai, meaning no pure rice alcohol was blended in!

Rice: Gohyakumangoku (Toyama Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: + 3
Acidity: 1.4
Bottled in July 2014

Clarity: very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Assertive. Fruity. Banana.
Body: fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: very dry and fruity attack backed by puisasnt junmai petillant.
Complex. Banana, pears, apricots, nuts.
Quickly disappears on a very dry note with hints of greens.
Late appearance of faint coffee beans.
More coffee beans backed with pears and hints of dark chocolate surging out with further cups.
Varies little with food but for more pronounced dryness and acidity.
Marries well with any food.

Overall: Eminently enjoyable sake on its own or with food, although obviously conceived to accompany food, especially heavy izakaya fare.
Slightly chilled it becomes a delicate aperitif.
Its dryness and acidity make it a great accompaniment to cheese or chocolate!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka sake Tasting: Eikun Brewery-Junmai Ginjo “Daidai no Eikun”

July 18, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

It’s been some time since I tasted a bottle by Eikun Brewery in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!
But this once I had the opportunity to conduct my tasting away from Home!

A new wine and sake bar opened in Shizuoka City, namely La Sommeliere, and since they serve the sake in wine glasses, the tasting is easy to conduct!

An orange (“daidai”) label is a bit unusual in our region, but this the official color of Shizuoka Prefecture!

Rice: Bizen Omachi (Okayama Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 55%
Dryness: + 5
Acidity: 1.4
Bottled in July 2014

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Very faint golden hue
Aroma: Assertive and fruity. Dry. Pears
Body: Fluid
Tasting: Dry and fruity attack backed with pleasant jumai petillant.
Complex and elegant.
Pears, green apples, hints of apricots.
Lingers for a while with more hints of dry almonds, dark chocolate and milk coffee.

Overall: I drank this particular sake without food. It is just too elegant to let it be influenced by food.
A superb sake for tasting parties, although frankly speaking I will keep my own company when savoring it!
Would make for a splendid aperitif.
Start it chilled and let the sake warm up inside your glass to discover new facets!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Bars, sake, Shizuoka City, Wines

Wines & Sake Bar: La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City!

July 16, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Shy but very friendly
Equipment and facilities: Spotless clean. Superb washroom. Entirely non-smoking!
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Local sake by the glass. Extensive wine list by the glass. Bottles on sale. Great local bread and pastries. Home-made light food

Mrs. Hiromi Hasegawa/長谷川浩美さん, of the fourth generation owning Hasegawa liquor Shop in Shi Tori, Aoi ku, Shizuoka City, has just opened an exquisite wine & sake bar along Miyuki Street just across from Marui Department Store!

La Sommeliere is the French feminine form of Sommelier as Mrs. Hasegawa is both a recognized wine sommelier and a sake expert!

Wines from many countries are introduced every day by the glass or the bottle.

Food is available on site under the form of light snacks or dishes prepared or cooked by Mrs. Hasegawa!

Check the ever-changing range of wines at reasonable prices!
More expensive bottles are also available for big budgets and connoisseurs!

The bar counter!
Note that the place is entirely non-smoking!

Recommended wine of the day!

Specially ordered bread and pastries from Trotix Bakery in Kita Ando, Aoi Ku, Shzuoka City are also served as a collaboration project but they tend to disappear very quickly!

Succulent nuts and vegetable chips are also on sale!

Top-class wines sold by glasses of 30, 60 and 90 ml at reasonable prices. Great for tasting!

Gevrey Chambertin! WOW!

This was only the first of many visits to come as I also want to taste the light food and more sake!
I actually wrote a future report on a tasting of sake by Eikun Brewery in Yui, Sjhimizu Ku, Shizoka City!

LA SOMMELIERE

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 7-5, Aiseido Bldg, 1F
Tel. & Fax: 054-266-5085
Opening hours: 11:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays & National Holidays
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

sake, Sake Brewery, Shimada City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Oomuraya Brewery- Wakatake Onigoroshi Tokubetsu Honjozo Genshu Nama

July 6, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Every year I make a point of tasting this famous brand by Oumuraya Brewery in Shimada City: Onigoroshi!

There are many Onigorshi/”Kill a Goblin” in Japan, but this is arguably the most celebrated!

When you consider the alcohol content, the dryness and the lack of pasteurization, you need this to kill one!

Rice milled down to 60%
Dryness: + 9
Acidity: 1.３
Alcohol: 17-18 degrees
Bottle in May 2014

Clarity: very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Dry. Greens
Body: Fluid
Taste: Aggressive approach backed up by pleaaant alcohol.
Dry, Fruity.
Lingers on for a while, warming up the back of the palate.
Apricots, almonds, macadamia nuts.
Takes on an even drier turn with food.
Stays strong all the way.

Overall: Solid and straightforward, this is a very dry and strong sake for the “Macho sake” lovers!
The perfect complement to a BBQ or heavy izakaya gastronomy!
Designed to accompany food!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka Sake

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Suruga Brewery- Tenko Junmai Nama Genshu Muroka

July 4, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

It’s been some time since I tasted a sake brewed by Suruga Brewery in Shizuoka City!
Although still a very new brewery, at least in name, it is already getting recognition nationally!

It goes for one of its long name as it describes the brewing process:
Junmai: no pure rice alcohol added/blended.
Genshu: no pure water added
Nama: unpasteurized
Muroka: unfiltered

Rice milled down to 60%
Dryness: + 5
Acidity: 1.6
Alcohol: 17~18 degrees
Shizuoka yeast
Bottled in June 2014

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Dry and fruity. Pears
Body: Fluid
Taste: Dry and fruity attack backed up with puissant junmai petillant and pleasant alcohol.
Complex. Apricots, dark chocolate and milk coffee appearing late with a sweeter note.
Disappears quickly.
Changes little with but for a slightly drier note.

Overall: A sake for strong sake lovers!
Perfect with izakaya food or BBQ.
Easy to drink in spite of its high alcohol contents.
Gains to be drunk slowly and carefully as it can suddenly reveal fleeting facets!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Kanzawagawa Brewery: Shosetsu Yamakoge Junetsu Junmai Ginjo Nama

June 24, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Kanzawagawa Brewery in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City does sometimes come with some interestingly named limited brews!

It is a Junmai Ginjo Nama.

As for its name “Yamakage Jyunetsu” it is related to a famous military scholar of the Edo Period!

Rice milled down 50%
Dryness: +2~ +4
Acidity: 1.2~1.4
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in March 2014

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Very faint golden hue
Aroma: Dry and fruity: Cherries, apricots, pears.
Body:: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Dry and fruity attack.
Complex. Little junmai petillant.
Pears, milk coffee, dark chocolate.
Turns sweeter with food with coffee beans taking a bigger role.
Very elegant and easy to drink.

Overall: Beautiful sake fit for tasting sessions.
Superb slightly chilled
Great balance in dryness and acidity.
No wonder it is limited to one single tank!
Makes for a superb reasonably-priced present!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Kakegawa City, sake, Sake Brewery

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Doi Brewery–Kaiun Ginjo Nama Genshu

June 20, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Still continuing the 300 ml bottle series!

This time I acquired a bottle from Doi Brewery in Kakegawa City where the brew master comes from the noto peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture!

A ginjo does not come reaaly cheap!

Pretty heady stuff as it is a not only a ginjo but also a nama and genshu!

Rice milled down to 50%
Dryness: + 10
Alcohol: 16=17 degrees
Bottled in April 2014

Clarity: Very clear
Color: faint golden hue
Aroma: Fruity: banana, melon, dark chocolate
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Very dry and fruity attack backed with strong and pleasant alcohol.
Deceptively dry in spite of its great fruitiness.
Elegant in spite of its high alcohol contents.
Complex: custard, melon, banana, almonds, with late appearance of milk coffee.
Disappears fairly quickly.
Dark chocolate making a strong appearance with later sips.
marries well with food with little variation.

Overall: Heady, complex, elegant sake for the strong sake lovers.
Can be thoroughly enjoyed at any temperatures although I would recommend to start it chilled and let it warm up to discover more facets on the way.
A dangerous sake as its alcohol contents are pretty high but will hit you after a while!
Probably best enjoyed chilled as a night cap but I won’t take any responsibility! LOL

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES