Type
Hatsumomiji Shuzo · Yamaguchi
Harada Junmai Daiginjo
$61.00
No sales tax — Oregon
Rice
Yamadanishiki (Yamaguchi)
Prefecture
Yamaguchi
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 dry: reads as dry, with a little bit of softness, or maybe a fruit/brown sugar note that tempers the impression of dryness. Most people will read "2" as dry.
LightFullMedium: a bit of richness or creaminess, heft, more flavor intensity, more presence, sometimes higher alcohol or sweetness. A lot of namazake sits here.
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.
SubtleAromaticAromatic: aroma is a big part of this sake's character and design. Perfume fills the glass. Usually "4" aroma is coming from ginjo-ka (fruit, florals).
A really lovely and well priced junmai daiginjo, especially when you consider that it is genshu (undiluted) and made in a tiny brewery with only 4 full-time brewers!
This daiginjo lands squarely in the "slightly sweeter" category (in wine terms, I'd call this off-dry). It's just a tad sweeter than its Yamaguchi neighbor Dassai, but a ways off from profoundly dry daiginjo like Hakkaisan. Regardless of sweetness, it's very well balanced-- there's just a bit of zingy acidity and pop to keep you coming back for more.
I get flavors of melon, muscat, anise candy, ramune soda, vanilla, pandan and white peach. The Yamadanishiki shows itself with billowing largesse, plush and soft, finishing with a touch of astringency and therefore not leaving a lingering sweetness. There is a broad umami here, like a fat pillow of mochi stuffed with chestnut, satisfying and rich. Harada does remind me of Dassai, but it's more complex and has more personality.
A great choice and a great brewery. This definitely isn't a sake that needs food although it is an extremely versatile daiginjo and will show well with all sorts of flavors.
You might call it saccharine, but personally, I love the following quote from their website:
Aside from quoting their entire website, I can't do justice to it except to link their company philosophy which is so well written...one of my favorites that I've encountered, right up there with Nishinoseki.
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
Out of stock. Get an email when it's back
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Specifications
Region: Chugoku
Type: Junmai Daiginjo & Daiginjo
Rice: Yamadanishiki (Yamaguchi)
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 50%
ABV: 17%
Starter: Sokujo
SMV: -1
Yeast: #1801, Yamaguchi (9e)
Size: 720
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.
