The only pasteurized Spring seasonal sake of 2023, Jozen Hanami is classic, spot on, superbly delicate, and very affordable. Shirataki is a fairly large brewery, but still doing the right things: committed to local rice growers, committed to environmental sustainability. The economy of scale allows them to offer such a high quality brew, at such a reasonable price.
Delicate, floral character with notes of watermelon, strawberry, white mochi and Spring flowers. On the palate it's super smooth and soft with really low acidity-- it travels across the palate like a ripe white peach, or melting cotton candy. The finish is dry, but the mid-palate makes you feel like a child surrounded by falling petals.
Stats:
- Brewery: Shirataki Sake brewery
- Location: Yuzawa, Minami Uonuma, Niigata
- Rice: Gohyakumangoku
- Polishing: 55%
- Starter: sokujo
- Yeast: 1801
- SMV: +4
- Serve: chilled