Type
Rihaku Shuzo · Shimane
Rihaku Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu "Origin of Purity"
$49.00
No sales tax — Oregon
Rice
Omachi
Prefecture
Shimane
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.
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.
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.
SubtleAromaticModerate aroma: noticeable from the glass. Most often, moderate intensity aromas are either ginjo-ka (fruit, florals) or koshu-ka (nuts, mushroom, brown sugar).
Pairs with
Origin of Purity is a phenomenal pairing for anything wasabi, anything ume, anything shiso. With a snack (Wasabi crackers = 100%) the punchy alcohol fades and the intense, rich mouthfeel takes its place. Something interesting also happens with cheese, butter and cream-- the creamy dairy notes persist and become floral, fresh, like raw mountain milk. 1 + 2 becomes Z, that is, something totally different than each component on its own. Its also notable that Rihaku recommends pairing with broiled mackerel...and who could disagree?
This 2025 release is quite a bit more juicy than past years-- where I'd ordinarily categorize it with the Terada Honke's and Kidoizumi's, this year it's a fresher sort of wild card. Notes of honeysuckle, rose, cantaloupe, nougat, sweet carrot juice, fresh ginger, vanilla and loquat dance giddily on the palate, taking me somewhere deep into my sensory past. The palate is full and flavorful, with that natural sort of carrot-root bass notes balancing the gingery, floral high notes. The finish has a buzzy heat-- not alcohol, not astringency-- that I can only describe as the burn of fresh ginger beer.
Rihaku fans: Origin of Purity is at once totally unlike the rest of the Rihaku line (subtle, mineral, low volume), but simultaneously the truest expression of the brewery, the passion project of its owner, and the beating heart from which Dreamy Clouds and Wandering Poet emanate.
When now-president and 5th generation kuramoto Yuichiro Tanaka was studying at university (Todai, Tokyo Agricultural University fermentation department) his focus was on flower yeasts. A handful of breweries, for instance Amabuki, now specialize in sake brewed using yeasts derived from flowers-- this is thanks to the research Tanaka-san contributed to. And when he returned to his home brewery, he created a line of sake-- Rihaku-- which is delicious and clean, super mountain-influenced flavors, truly among my favorites. Which is why Origin of Purity-- undiluted at 17%, made with Shimane Omachi rice, utilizing flower yeast-- is such a stunning departure from the rest of the line, and yet, feels like it belongs.
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: Chugoku
Type: Junmai Ginjo & Ginjo
Style: Namazake
Rice: Omachi
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 55%
ABV: 17%
SMV: 1.0
Yeast: Hanakobo (flower yeast) - Creeping rose
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.
