Shizuoka Sake Tasting 12/1~4: Haginishiki Brewery

Haginishiki Brewery: Daiginjo Genshu

Haginishiki Brewery in Shizuoka City is one of those breweries who « keep quiet » and still manage to produce high-quality brews that regularly wins national accolades.
This particular was awarded a Gold Medal at the 2008 National Sake tasting Competition!

Haginishiki Brewery: Daiginjo Genshu (no water added)

Rice: Yamada Nishiki 100%
Rice milled down to 40%
Dryness: +5
Acidity: 1.3
Alcohol: 17~18 degrees
Bottled in December 2008
Limited edition

Clarity: Very clear
Colour: Almost transparent
Aroma: Sweetish. Fruity: bananas, licorice with a faint persimmon back note.
Body: Velvety
Taste: Well-rounded. Nice alcohol back-up. Shortish tail. Complex
Fruity: bananas, licorice, oranges.
Pleasantly warms up back of the mouth with memories of coffee beans and bitter chocolate.
Holds well with food.
Drunk as « nurukan/about 40 degrees Celsius », it is surprisingly faithful and pleasant with oranges making an appearance.

Overall: Very gentle and elegant for such a powerful sake.
For true strong sake lovers!
Great with food or onits own.
Reveals new facets when lightly warmed.
Another discovery!
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Haginishiki Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu

This particular bottle from Haginishiki Brewery in Shizuoka City is a bit special. It was offered to me by my good friend, mr. Kawashima. It is a very limited edition sold only to personal clients. You will not find it in shops!

Haginishiki Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu
Limited Edition
Rice: 100% Homare Fuji
Rice milled down to: 60%
Alcohol: 17=18 degrees
Bottled in December 2007

Clarity: very clear

Colour: light golden tinge

Aroma: Fruity, discreet. Bananas, pineapple.

Body: velvety

Taste: Fruity mixed with typical junmai tingle, emphasized by alcohol.
Bananas, almonds, pineapple.
Long tail with pineapple. Dryness revealed with next sip with more almonds and coffee beans.

Overall: A solid, very satisfying sake with a lot of character and body.
Drinks equally well on its own and with food.
Probably best appreciated slightly chilled.
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Haginishiki Junmai Hiyaoroshi

Yesterday, November 25th, as I suddenly had to leave the Cricket match to buy plates and chopsticks we had forgotten to bring for our after-game BBQ, I noticed a bottle of Hiyaoroshi by Haginishiki Brewery, Shizuoka City at the sipermarket. As I did not fancy having to drink cheap beer, I did not hesitate and bought the bottle as I knew very well it would quickly disappear!

Haginishiki Junmai Hiyaoroshi
Rice: Biyama Nsihiki 100%
Rice milled down to 55%
Dryness: +2
Acidity: 1.5

Clarity: very clear
Colour: light golden tinge
Aroma: Fruity/Vanilla, bananas
Body: velvety
Taste: Junmai tingle, complex. Lots of fruit: bananas, vanilla, persimmons, bitter chocolate
Lingers onpalate, caling for another sip.

Overall: Typical Shizuoka sake. Very fruity. Goes well with any food.
Both genders should ind themselves attracted.
Complex but tends to accomodate itself to any occasion. A good find!
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Surugayoi no Nama Ippon

More and more Breweries in Shizuoka Prefesture make use of ingredients locally grown or developped. And I think it is a proof of their dedication!
This particular sake was brewed April 2007 by Haginishiki Brewery in Shizuoka City exclusively with Fuji Homare Rice.
It is a « nama » jyunmai with 100% Fuji Homare Rice milled down to 60%. Dryness: +3, Acidity: 1.2 (low even for Shizuoka!)

Aroma: ricey

Clarity: very clear

Colour: faint amber

Body: fluid

Taste: Bitter chocolate/vanilla/Roasted nuts.
Typically jyunmai petillant.
Lingers bitter-sweet in palate for a fairly long time.
I would recommend it with dessert!