Type
Chochin Shuzo · Aichi
Chochin Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu Hattannishiki 60 Shinbunshi BY6
$38.00
No sales tax — Oregon
Rice
Hattan Nishiki (Hiroshima), Yamadanishiki (Hyogo)
Prefecture
Aichi
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.
DrySweetBone dry: crisp and clean, almost no perceptible sweetness. Everyone will read "5" as dry.
LightFullFull: rich and mouth-coating, lots of presence and intensity, usually higher in sweetness, alcohol, age, and/or umami. A powerful sake you can't help but notice.
SoftAcidicSoft: the most common degree of acidity for sake. A little bit of acidity to give it structure and keep the flavor refreshing, but acidity isn't an important part of its identity.
SubtleAromaticSubtle aroma: if you stick your nose in, you'll get a few quiet notes of fruit, grains, nuts & rice. Aroma isn't a big part of this sake's character. An aromatically quiet sake can still have a powerful flavor, though.
Pairs with
This sake just arrived to the US for the first time, so I’ll be honest– I don’t have a ton to offer here. However, I’ve had it a few times in Japan, hard though it is to find you’ll tend to see Chochin at unassuming spots that take their sake extremely seriously, especially their hot sake. Not coincidentally, most of these have been yakitori joints: everything from a college district dive to a high-end yakitori omakase. Think smoky, fatty, sauced, burnt sauce, and if we’re talking Nagoya then dark hatcho miso-based dishes, a bit of sweetness, and meaty oden. The sake was a tremendous match for the yakitori and all its accoutrements (roasted gingko nuts, grilled eggplant and onion, gingery chicken broth, soboro-don, and so on).
Notes of fine cocoa powder, coca cola, German chocolate cake, sparkling mineral water, Fresca, and white grapefruit swirl together on the palate. I get an initial impression that is simultaneously sharp and dry x velvety and sweet, which leads into an intensely flavorful mid-palate, segueing into a weightless, celery & pomelo-inflected finish. Absolutely gorgeous.
Friends of mine recommend leaving a small bottle (~300ml) out at room temperature in the dark for about a month to soften it before warming, if that’s your jam. Diluting with a bit of good water will soften it further.
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: Chubu
Type: Junmai Ginjo & Ginjo
Style: Namazake, Chokarakuchi
Rice: Hattan Nishiki (Hiroshima), Yamadanishiki (Hyogo)
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 60%/ 60%
ABV: 18%
SMV: +11
Acidity: 1.9
Yeast: 901
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.
