flos_lingua_est
I drank it in September, so it's actually a warehouse review.
This is a Junmai-shu from the revived brewery Yamazan Shuzo in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, which resumed production in 2023, so this is their first year's production, and I was curious to buy it because of its good reputation. The first thing that comes to mind when we think of Ueda is Shinshu Kamerei, and since the competition has become so nationally famous, it seems that it was even crushed by Shinshu Kamerei in the first place....
From the standing aroma, you can taste apple, muscat, a little lactic acid, and a touch of alcohol.
The first sip is quite stimulating, with a slight fizz that seems to come up from below.
The acidity stays in the mouth from start to finish. This lactic acidic taste is very Abe-like. The sweetness is surprisingly restrained, but the umami is so strong that it gives the illusion of sweet and sourness, which is also very Abe-like. The fragrance and richness are like Mutsu Hachisen.
In fact, the bitterness is there, but it is hidden by the sweet...umami and sourness. That is why it is so drinkable.
If you are looking for a sake that is easy to understand and tasty, but not forgetting the sake-like character, you will like this.
I don't think there has been a sake of this high level in the first year of its revival since Koei-Kiku. Personally, I prefer it a little more refreshing, so I will try Jungin next time!
Japanese>English