I found this pre-dawn bottle at Tsuruya in Karuizawa in July.
It is a fresh bottle, having just been brewed in the month I bought it.
Junmai-shu brewed with 100% Yamae-Nishiki from Tatsuno-cho, Nagano Prefecture.
The rice polishing ratio is 60%. Luxurious and elegant aroma.
The clarity is not half bad, but the umami and rice flavor are also very strong.
The aftertaste is crisp and clean. Delicious.
I enjoyed it slowly by itself after dinner, but I recommend it as an in-dinner drink.
Yoakemae Junmai Ginjo Nama Ippon Hiyoroshi
Rating 4.4
Alcohol level: 16; Sake meter: +2; Acidity: 1.3; Rice: Yamadanishiki; Rice polishing ratio: 55
Sweetness and umami.
Slightly light rice flavor. Nama Ippon, the representative sake, is a popular sake with a rich aroma, clarity, and a full, clean taste. Compared to Nama-Ichihon, it has a calmer, softer, lighter flavor. It has a gorgeous aroma and a subtle, gentle sweetness and umami that is pleasant in the early fall. It has a mild, sweet and umami taste.
Yoakemae Junmai Ginjo Nama Ippon Hiyoroshi
Rating 4.4
Alcohol level: 16; Sake meter: +2; Acidity: 1.3; Rice: Yamadanishiki; Rice polishing ratio: 55
Compared to the first bottles, it has a calmer, softer, and lighter taste. It has a slightly floral aroma (light melon flavor) derived from Yamadanishiki, and a subtle, gentle sweetness and umami. It also has a slightly mineral taste, but that is also an amusing feature as an autumnal food sake.