I went to Kochi for the first time on a business trip. Since I was going to the trouble, I wanted to drink local sake, so I went to a supermarket near my hotel. It was not a sake shop, so I found a lineup of famous brands from all over the country.
I was surprised to see that Hamakawa Shoten also makes liqueurs and fruit wine in addition to sake, but I decided to buy a bottle of nama-zake (raw sake)! I bought it 🍶 and when I got home and looked at it closely, I realized it was sparkling.
The specs were Junmai Daiginjo, but the aroma was subdued, with a hint of koji. It is sweet, gaseous, and easy to drink. The umami is moderate, which is good for those who do not like sake. The bitter aftertaste is also a characteristic of sparkling sake.
As described, it has a grapefruit-like acidity and bitterness.
The aroma is also citrusy, reminiscent of grapefruit.
The sweetness was not quite as sweet as one might expect.
The low alcohol content makes it a very light drink.
4/5
TOMO welcome party 2025㉒
Rafa-san said there was a sake store under the Hankyu elevated railway, so we went to Kappa Yokocho.
We went to Tosa Cuisine restaurant.
The name of the restaurant is SUIGEI, which would make Rui Yoshida happy 😁.
I don't have a picture of it, but I had a bonito tataki with salt and a moray eel sashimi!
At first, we ordered a four-pack of Miyuyu Tama Label because we were told that the bottle was more economical!
I've had Tama Label in the past, but my impression was the same except for the gasiness and freshness.
I have the impression of a gentle dry taste with sweetness 🤔.
Purchased at the sake section of Shinjuku Biclo. I was curious about this Kochi sake because I had heard that it was similar to Bunkajin. I bought it in the hope that it would be a refreshing summer sake.
I thought it might be quite spicy. But it had a good balance of spiciness and acidity, and I could also taste the umami of the rice. It has a sharpness, and the alcohol lingers for a long time, but it also has a cool feeling.
It is an interesting sake with a busy and ever-changing flavor profile.
I would like to try other sake breweries.
The bottle was a bit big ass, so I had to force it into the pocket of the refrigerator door.
(The photo shows an empty bottle.)
Bikuyo Ginjo Autumn Sake
Hamakawa Shoten (Tano Town, Aki-gun, Kochi Prefecture)
Type of Sake] Ginjo-shu (Autumn Sake)
Rice used: Domestic rice
Rice polishing ratio] 55
Alcohol content】15%.
Sake Cup】Inoguchi
Aroma】+1.5、green apple, pear, muscat
Appearance】Crystal
[Taste] [Mouthfeel
Body: 1.5
Acid: 2.0 (mainly malic acid)
Sweetness: 1.5
Umami: 1.5
Bitterness: 1.5
Aftertaste: Light and refreshing. The acidity and a hint of bitterness quickly dissipate, leaving a clean aftertaste.
Impression: Modern, light and dry.
A Kochi sake with a picture of a cat.
It has a fruity aroma like green apples and pears typical of ginjo, but it is not showy and has a calm taste like an autumn sake.
The taste is moderate and balanced. It has a sharpness typical of Kochi sake, and the finish is light and easy to drink. I like this guy (laughs).
Pairing] Grilled salted swordfish, grilled mushrooms with foil, Tosa-zukuri (bonito), etc.
Repeat Score] 2.0
