Type
Akabu Junmai Ginjo "Hisui"
$60.00
No sales tax — Oregon
Rice
Gin Ginga (Iwate)
Flavor profileEach scale is our tasting-room read on where this bottle sits between two extremes — dry to sweet, light to full-bodied, soft to acidic, and subtle to aromatic. These are subjective, however, and will shift with food, serveware & temp.
DrySweetBalanced: a bit of fleshy sweetness. Fruit notes taste more round and juicy, chocolate notes have more heft. Typical sweetness for modern styles. Some people will read "3" as dry.
LightFullVery light: delicate and water-clean on the palate, light in flavor and overall presence.
SoftAcidicAbove-average acidity, an important part of this sake's character, but nowhere near sour/tart. Lift, refreshing. When paired with higher sweetness, it creates a juicy, ripe impression.
SubtleAromaticVery aromatic: bursting with ginjo-ka (fruit, florals), very often filling the room--or at least the table. Aromatic intensity is core to this sake's character.
Pairs with
This beautifully lighthearted sake tastes like fond memories of childhood Summer: The nose is light and floral, the mid-palate has an innocent confected quality, and the finish is fresh and brisk, like a cool breeze. Either drink on its own without overthinking, or consider foods with a light sweetness. Scallop crudo, Alaskan halibut w/ egg-miso, or if you can find it, raw amaebi or poached spot prawns. Salmon w/ fresh creamed corn, melon & pancetta, steamed veg w/ saikyo miso & orange aioli, or fresh tomato & peach salad with basil!
With a lighter aromatic impact than Akabu's year-round Junmai Ginjo, Hisui glides across the nose like a waft of Summer flowers. It has an almost addictive aroma-- tropical flowers, Fun Dip, Sanrio Gum, strawberry puffs-- and the palate boldly leans in, apologizing for nothing and delivering purely on this aromatic promise. It is clean, pure, impeccable-- unsurprisingly, the absolute favorite in the Summer pack.
Acidity is a little higher than usual: you need it to balance out that lush and tender strawberry note!
Called Hisui (jade) in reference to its glossy shine and translucence, Akabu
wanted to evoke the clear, refreshing flavors and aromas of young leaves and
flowers in early Summer with this bottling. This is one of two Summer sake for
Akabu and the newest, an updated vision of Summer: ethereal but with body and
grape skin-like astringency. Their commitment to Iwate prefecture is evident in
the use of local Ginginga rice and Iwate Kobo yeast, developed at the local research
center. Polished to 50% and brewed to a light 13% ABV, we could call this junmai
daiginjo but Akabu always exceeds the minimum, one reason why they are so
highly awarded after barely a decade post-reopening.
Your case:
$30 flat-rate case shipping (up to 12 bottles) — the more you add, the less per bottle. Per federal requirements, an adult (21+) with photo ID must be present to receive the delivery.
Sake Club members: $20 shipping (up to 12 bottles) with your club bottles About the clubs
Specifications
Region: Tohoku
Class: Junmai Ginjo
Style: Modern
Rice: Gin Ginga (Iwate)
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 50%
ABV: 13%
Yeast: Iwate Kobo
Size: 720ml
Shipping
Available nationwide to states and counties that permit alcohol. No sales tax (Oregon). Flat-rate case shipping; in-store pickup available.
Pick up in person
Shop open Tu–Sun. Order online and pick up at the shop — 107 SE Washington St. #121, Portland, Oregon.
