New Store Arrivals – The First Flight of Fall Draft Sake
YAY! It’s fall draft sake time. This is one of my favorite sake times of the year. This is Hiyaoroshi season and our first flight of three single-pasteurized brews have arrived. These seasonally released sake were made to pair with full fall flavor foods and generally are on the rich side.
From Nagano Prefecture. Junmai Ginjo Namazume. SMV: -0.8 Acidity: 1.6
The nose on this fall released sake is a gentle collection of cocoa, lemon peel, oatmeal, and steamed rice aromas. Behold a very unique version of Masumi’s Hiyaoroshi that is far more complex than year’s past. Round, smooth, and a little snappy this brew is loaded with some very interesting flavors such as raisin, crisp apple, black berries, and cooked persimmon. There is a very interesting astringency that jumps between a subtle tartness and a refreshing sour quality that makes this sake drink very much like a big dry red wine. A wine glass makes this sake drink with better balance, and it drinks much more rich closer to room temperature. Warming brings out more tartness. WORD: Complex WINE: Dry reds/Crisp whites BEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: Rich fall fare, meats, game, fowl. $42/720ml
Shichida Hiyaoroshi 2019 “Aiyma 75”
From Shiga Prefecture. Junmai Namazume. SMV: +1 Acidity: 1.6
The nose on this seasonally released single pasteurized sake is a unique collection of leather, cocoa, plum, Jolly Rancher, and red grape aromas. Last year we had the Omachi Hiyaoroshi from Shichida but this year we get the brewing rice called Aiyama milled to 75%. This is a very lively fall draft brew with lots of action in the glass. Rich, sweet, and lush it has a great feeling in the palate. There are layers of fruit tones like figs, dates, plum, and melon with an overall bobbing for apples finish. It drinks almost like a Ginjo with a freshness and liveliness of a nama. There is a tasty creamy quality as the fluid warms in the glass, and this brew does more fall-like rich at room temperature. WORD: Figs WINE: Deep Reds/Huge Whites BEER: Creamy Ales FOODS: Very cozy fall flavors, stews, game, smoked meats, turkey. $44/720ml
Oze no Yukidoke Hiyaoroshi 2019
From Gunma Prefecture. Junmai Daiginjo Namazume. SMV: +1 Acidity: 1.5
The nose on this Junmai Daiginjo Hiyaoroshi (don’t have many of those) seasonally released sake is a gentle collection of grape, white peach, apple, and berry aromas. Say hello to a very drinkable single-pasteurized sake that is relaxed and very comfortable in its own skin. Smooth, round, and very silky this brew slides across the palate with a lush and smooth flow. Look for a lot of apple and grape notes within each calm sip. A smaller cup brings the fruit forward more, and a wine glass celebrates the silky smoothness most. Our Australian friends often complain that Fall released brews in the north don’t match their Spring seasonal fare there, but this brew would do very well in their Spring! A very relaxed and flavorful Junmai Daiginjo that drinks like silky velvet. WORD: Smooth WINE: Soft reds/Round whites BEER: Creamy Ales FOODS: Fall fatty fish, shellfish, crab, poached fare. $34/720ml