flos_lingua_est
Forgot to post (iii)
Dark and powerful! That's the Igarashi brewery style I like!
I've only had seasonal Igarashi, and the only regular product I've had was a junmai ginjo with a matcha green or dark green label, so I had an image of a classic sake with a fruity flavor. This one tastes similar to the local brand, Tenranzan, without the extra fruity notes.
The sweetness is balanced by the acidity, and the sweetness is balanced by the umami, and finally the bitterness comes in with a bang. Once you get used to it, it becomes incredibly addictive. It is the type of sake that you will find more and more goodness if you drink it on a regular basis. If you drink it once every few years or only once on a trip, it may seem heavy and you may not be able to appreciate it.
It has a strong flavor and bitterness, including alcohol, so it is a powerful sake. It tastes even better with dishes that use a lot of meat, or dishes that take advantage of the bitterness of burnt onions and the like!
Incidentally, this Junmai and one other special junmai, Fusui, were only available at the brewery during the summer. In winter, but even in late summer, liquor stores don't carry them, so it's nice to be able to buy them at a direct sales outlet.
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