Hori
Ocean 99 is a limited edition of Kangiku's limited edition sake Ocean 99 that matches the transition of the seasons. This is the third bottle, starting with Ginkai in winter, followed by Nagi in spring, and Kukai in early summer.
Since the last time I drank Nagi was in early February, it has been four months since I last had a bottle of Ocean 99. It has been two months since I bought the bottle, but it was probably a good time to drink it since it is said to be a sake inspired by an airplane flying in the sky in early summer.
When the bottle is opened, it is fresh with a pusher of gas leaking out. When poured into a glass, fine air bubbles float on the surface. The aroma has a mellow sweetness derived from unrefined sake, and at the same time, it has a freshness.
The taste is exactly like that of Kangiku. It is sweet and fresh with a strong umami flavor. It is so fresh that you would not even know it was fire-aged unless you are told. It also has a fruity feeling from the acidity, with a refreshing bitterness on the back palate. The refreshing alcohol taste that passes through the nose evokes an image of the fresh blue sky of early summer. Each of these elements is well balanced without collapsing. And there is a slight but obvious nuance unique to Kangiku. Whether it is the character of the water, the yeast, or the facilities, it is difficult to put into words, but the unique character of Kangiku is definitely present in the taste. It was a bottle that made us realize that the presence that is not buried in the midst of trends is due to such "character.
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