Aged 2 years before release, this namazake is rich and dense, with notes of maple syrup, mushroom, roasted sweet potato, brown butter, malted barley, brown sugar, and nutty toasted grain.
I can imagine the cold waves whipping against the face of gruff fishmermen off the Sea of Japan coast early in the morning, facing each day with vigor and determination. In this setting, a concentrated, savory tipple like Minato Harbor is Akita's answer to a flask of good whisky: warmth, medicine, and liquid courage.
Stats:
Stats:
- Brewery: Naba Shoten
- Prefecture: Akita
- Rice: Akita Komachi (locally grown)
- Polishing: 67%
- Grade: Yamahai Junmai Nama Genshu
- Water: Omono river
- Yeast: proprietary
- Starter: Yamahai
- Aging: 2 years in tank
- ABV: 20-21%
In appreciation of the local fishermen who have long loved their sakes, the brewers decided to use the name Minato, or "harbor." When asked about the packaging, Naoshi Naba, CEO of Naba Shoten replied, "We wanted to convey that this sake is being carried directly from the storage tank to the mouth of the bottle, without modification after brewing. The aluminum can resembles a storage tank."