This is the first time in a long time that I have uncorked a bottle of Junmai Genshu from Yukawa Sake Brewery's Kuroemon XVI.
The sake rice is 100% Hitogochi, and the rice polishing ratio is 60%.
It is a sake made using the "nama-hashiroshi" method, but it does not have a "nama-hashiroshi" feel to it, but rather a complexity. The bitterness and umami are well developed.
In the mouth, the acidity stands out. Even though it is a lactic acidity from the sake yeast line, it has a youthful feeling like unsweetened yogurt rather than butter, and there is a slight gassy feeling.
An IWC award-winning, fruity sake that foreigners might like. Although you can feel the alcohol on your tongue, the balance of aroma, umami, and taste is one word that describes it wonderfully.
KUROUEMON XVI KUROUEMON KINMON-NISHIKI Nama yeast Go-go Yeast Nama-nazake 720ml
Rice used: 100% Kanamonishiki produced in Nagano Prefecture
Rice polishing ratio: 60
Alcohol content: 15%, produced in March and shipped in July
It is said to be 3K5 with a raw yeast, Kanamonishiki, and a 5th yeast 😄.
It tastes different from the Hitogokochi of the previous day. You can feel the acidity as well as the spread of umami. Of course both are delicious 😋.
It looks like the hi-ire is laid down for a few years. Next time I would like to have the aged hi-ire 😉.
KUROUEMON XVI Junmai Summer Sake 720ml
Rice used: 100% Hitogochi from Yaebaru (100% Nagano rice used)
Rice polishing ratio: 60
Alcohol content: 15%.
Made in April and shipped in August, it is targeted for the summer. The bottle has a mosquito coil sticker, and the back label reads "Juwajuwa Juicy! and 😀 You can feel the playful spirit.
The bottle was opened with a light swig. It is a refreshing sake with a slight acidity.
It's the perfect sake for hot days 😊.
This is the only sake in the low-alcohol series that is brewed quickly, and is a junmai sake that makes the most of the light, rising quality of Yamae-Nishiki rice.
The lychee-like fruitiness is pleasant on the nose, and the juicy acidity bursts on the palate.