Type
Class
Kirinzan Shuzo · Niigata
Kirinzan Futsushu Cup "Classic"
$9.00
No sales tax — Oregon
Rice
Gohyakumangoku, Koshiibuki (local)
Prefecture
Niigata
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.
LightFullVery light: delicate and water-clean on the palate, light in flavor and overall presence.
SoftAcidicVery soft: gentle and mellow, almost no perceptible acidity. A "1" sake isn't flat or boring, but is balanced around overall subtlety and softness, using other characteristics to give it structure.
SubtleAromaticVery subtle aroma: almost no aroma, maybe a little rice, chestnut, or pear. Usually comes with a subtle flavor profile as well.
Clean like snowmelt, crisp like the sky after rain, nutty like freshly roasted chestnuts and sweet like freshly steamed rice. Classic Niigata with every sip.
Kirinzan takes futsuushu-- "ordinary" sake-- to decidedly not ordinary levels.
Made with a 65% polish blend of gohyakumangoku and koshi ibuki that aren't within the top 3 grades of rice required for premium sake, plus a very small amount of brewers alcohol-- technically, making this futsuushu. still, the rice is sourced from within 10 miles of the brewery and its quality is evident in its popularity: Kirinzan Futsuushu is the #1 local sake in Niigata.
For me this is a favorite with sushi; once upon a time, someone I respect very much turned me on to pairing sushi with simple sake (as opposed to fancy daiginjo) and I am totally hooked. The soft subtlety of a good futsushu lets top quality fish express itself best. The sake refreshes the palate between bites and emphasizes the umami of the fish.
Delicious both cool and warm. An incredible value.
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: Honjozo & Futsushu
Rice: Gohyakumangoku, Koshiibuki (local)
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 65%
ABV: 15-16%
Yeast: G9NF
Size: 180ml
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.
