Review Abe Takanenishiki Junmaiginjou

Abe Takanenishiki Junmaiginjou

Abe Shuzo Co., Ltd. is small but energetic brewery.

The brewery has long history since 1804.

Koshino-Otokoyama, main product of the brewery is traditional sake which has full body and rich umami.

But Abe series is not conservative. The series is made by young Toji, SAKE brewer.

Its future are acidity and sweetness.

These futures are suitable for French food.

Instead of white wine.

Web site: Only introduction page is English 

http://www.abeshuzo.com/for-abroadpage/

Review Himenoi Genshu

Himenoi Genshu

Ishizuka Brewery makes Himenoi by unique technique, yondan-jikomi and using mochigome.

Yondan-jikomi means four-steps brewing.

Usually, almost all the brewery does three-steps brewering, Sanda-jikomi.

Yondan-jikomi is old technique, but using the technique makes sake rich taste and full body.

Especially, the brewery uses sticky rise for last step brewering.

This is rare. Only I know Midorikawa masamune by Midorikawa Co., Ltd use same technique.

Using sticky rice makes sake sweet and having rich umami.

Because starch of sticky rice is different from the SAKE rice.

Sticky rice is within 100% Amylopectin. The SAKE rice is within 80% Amylopectin and 20%Amylose.

The component makes difference of taste.

The taste of Himenoi Genshu is soft and sweet.

The aroma smells like a flower and lassie.

But aftertaste is sharp.

Web site: Japanese only

https://www.himenoi.com/

Review Chojazakari Shiboritate Junmai Nama Genshu

Chojazakari Shiboritate Junmai Nama Genshu

The brewery making Choujazakari, Niigata Meijo Co., Ltd. is young brewery in Niigata.

But It awarded the evaluation board of SAKE in Kanto area.

Chojazakari is main product of the brewery.

Junmai Nama-Gensyu means that using only rice, no pasteurization and no adding water.

It feels fresh aroma and strong rice sweetness.

Citrus aroma is rare and interesting.

Web site: Japanese only

http://www.niigata-meijo.com/

Review Hakkaisan Yukimuro Bin Chozou Syu

Hakkaisan Yukimuro Bin Chozou Syu

Hakkaisan is very famous SAKE and Brewery in Japan.

The 2000s, we had Local SAKE fever in japan.

Niigata SAKE, especially Hakkaisan was on top. Now, many SAKE fans still love Hakkaisan.

This SAKE has unique storage and maturing, “Yukimuro-Chozou”. Detail is below.

This method influence taste and aroma.

They are clean, smooth and light. But, strong and elegant alcohol.

Hakkaisan is large brewery and has many Lab. They make other fermentation foods and goods too.

For example, craft beer, Syochu, Umeshu and some sweets using SAKE lees.

Uonumanosato is one of facilities. You can visit and enjoy drinking and eating Local foods.

https://www.hakkaisan.com/contact-us/uonuma-guide/

Uonumanosato has large warehouse, “Hakkaisan-Yukimuro”.

It stores SAKE with large amount of snow, 1,000 ton, for cold maturing.

“Yukimuro” means “snow storage”. Uonuma people have used this method traditionally for refrigerator in summer season.

Because, this area has many snows on top of Japan.

So, if you loved snow sports, you must enjoy skiing and drinking Hakkaisan.

I love the ski resort. December and January, You can get JAPOW.

https://www.princehotels.com/en/ski/hakkaisan/index.html

web site: English

https://www.hakkaisan.com/

Review Kameno-ou Junmai Ginjo Shiboritate

Kameno-ou Junmai Ginjo Shiboritate

First, “ou” have many Kanji Character.

This SAKE’s “ou” means “King”

Same brewery has other “Kameno-ou”

That one’s “ou” means “oldman”

Kameno-ou”King” is premium class SAKE of Kameno-ou”oldman”.

The name of Kameno-o, ”turtle's tale”, is brand of rice.

This rice had been grown widely in japan for eating and making SAKE until Meiji era(-1912).

But, until several years ago, No one grow it.

This Brewery resurrected the rice and made the sake “Kameno-ou”

Japanese comic, “Natsuko-no-sake”, is based on this story.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natsuko_no_Sake

The taste is rich, but the after taste is smooth.

The characteristic comes from the rice “Kameno-o”

Web site: Japanese only

https://www.kamenoo.jp/

Review Tenjinbayashi Tokubetsu Honjozo

Tenjinbayashi Tokubetsu Honjozo

Tenjinbayashi is the traditional cerebration song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv5RePHvU_g

This SAKE is loved by the people of Tokamachi, Tyuetsu area.

Tokamachi is Famous KIMONO producing area. So, residents love art.

Recently, art festival, “Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale” will be held every 3 years.

http://www.echigo-tsumari.jp/eng/

Tenjinbayashi’s ingredient are all originally from Niigata.

The Aroma and tastes very suitable for daily food.

Not Flashy, but strong.

It is truly Daily SAKE.

Website:Japanese only

http://www.tenjinkk.com/index.html