Purchased again, this time by the bottle.
The ooze that remains a little at the bottom of the bottle is not mixed (second photo on the left) → clear, fruity and sweet, with little pungency and bitterness.
Mixing (2nd photo on the right) → Rice sweetness becomes stronger, and there is a bitter pungency in the aftertaste.
Both are delicious in their own right, but it is better to mix them for hot sake.
Also, if the temperature is raised to 70°C, the sweetness becomes stronger and a little sourness enters the taste buds, while the mouthfeel is refreshing.
The lingering sweetness was the strongest at 70°C, but if you want to drink it at 70°C, I prefer the regular strong junmai sake that has been hi-nated.
Strong Nakadareki also has an impressive sweetness of rice, but it seems sweeter than Gohyakumangoku Nakadareki, perhaps because it has a stronger pungent bitterness than Gohyakumangoku.
My preference ★★★★☆
100% Gohyakumangoku rice produced in Chiba Prefecture
Polishing ratio 55
Unlike the label and the impression of the rice polishing ratio, this sake has a strong sense of mature sake, with a strong sense of rice.
Room temperature→Aroma like soy sauce or Shaoxing sake. Light but mellow on the palate. The umami comes strongly, followed by a little acidity and later sweetness. The mouthfeel is like maple syrup and has a long aftertaste.
☆ 50-60℃ → Clearer than room temperature, but highly aromatic. Mouthfeel is more mellow while the base remains light. The mouthfeel is light, but the base is mellower and more rounded. The taste is like Shaoxing wine and dried fruits. It has a strong umami at room temperature, but warming it up opens it up even more. It goes well with simmered dishes and dishes with strong flavors.
My own preference ★★★★★
100% Aomori Prefecture Hanafukiyuki special grade rice
Polishing ratio 55
☆10℃→Fresh and sweet aroma. Smooth on the palate. The soft sweetness of the rice is impressive, but there is a fresh, slightly pungent aftertaste that disappears quickly.
15-20☆→The mouthfeel becomes more languid, and the sweetness of the rice becomes more intense. However, it is not harsh and is like a light syrup. There is a little bitterness in the aftertaste, but the sweetness of the rice lingers longer and the umami is also released through the nose. I prefer this temperature.
The impression is that it goes well with light sashimi and light dishes. The name and label are spring-like, and the sake is delicious.