Type
Koueigiku Shuzo · Saga
Koueigiku Mikatsuki White Tojo Yamada Nishiki
$90.00
No sales tax — Oregon
Rice
Yamadanishiki (Tojo, Hyogo)
Prefecture
Saga
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.
LightFullLight: lean and easy, mellow, has enough flavor and umami to give it character but generally really easy to drink. This is the most common weight for junmai ginjo/ginjo sake.
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.
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).
Koueigiku lovers, this tastes like it should be $90. This is without a doubt an upscale version of classic Koueigiku character: bright, floral, fruit, densely packed umami, a little mysterious, very moreish and complex, very difficult to not finish the bottle, phenomenal with food.
We get mystery notes of clementine, orange flower, sweetened condensed milk, and a what-is-that?? aroma of balsawood Christmas candles & sweet warming spices. The palate is so rich with a compact acid-umami backbone it almost reads like enzymey bromelain on the tongue. The acidity and mouthfeel reminds me of ultra-ripe alfonso mango & kiwi, but at the same time the umami leans into this ultra-savory kokuto shochu note that is more clairin/savory-toasted sugar than brownies. Molly called it "protein-y"-- I have no idea what that means, but I agree.
From the importer: "Koueigiku rarely discusses rice type or milling, but for the Mikatsuki series (a second coming later this year), they feel it is important. The white label Mikatsuki is made with Tojo-grown Yamadanishiki milled to 40%. Tojo is one of the most highly regarded rice growing sub-districts in Hyogo and their top grade Yamadanishiki is among the most expensive rice a brewery can buy. It is by far the most highly milled and delicate of the sakes that we import."
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: Kyushu
Type: Junmai Daiginjo & Daiginjo
Style: Modern
Rice: Yamadanishiki (Tojo, Hyogo)
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 40%
Starter: Sokujo
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.
