Hatsumago 初孫 “華恋” 生酛 Junmai Ginjo 純米吟釀 55% Seimai Buai

Rice - Local Yamagata 🌾
Prefecture - Yamagata Prefecture 山形県
Brewery - Tohoku Meijo 東北銘醸
Alcohol - 14%
Color - Colorless
Aroma - Steam 🍚, 🍌, Snow 🍐, Apricot
Taste - Light
Umami - Light
First impression - Lively
Body - Light
Sweetness - Medium Sweet
Tail/length - Medium
Overall - No. 3 out of 5 bottles curated by Orihara Shoten. This sake is from Hatsumago. If you have read my other reviews of Hatsumago sake, you will know that they are one of the oldest kimoto style sake makers in Japan. This sake is a seasonal sake and “華恋” is laterally translated as “Karen” in English. A really special name for a sake which is also my beloved wife’s name. Made with local Yamagata 🌾 and the introduction of polyacid yeast, the sake is filled with fruity aroma of snow pear, apricot and 🍌. The taste is light and refreshing with a light sour taste to it. It has a light body with just the right amount of umami which matches the medium length. The medium sweetness and low alcohol level will be welcomed by lady beginners who are new to sake or wants to get away from the usual popular “D” brand. The bottle is blue in color to emphasize the refreshing and light taste of this summer sake. Trying to make people feel cool in this warm summer. As the taste is slightly sour, it makes a good combination with fresh sashimi salad and thinly sliced madai fish with ponzu dressing. It is also good to pair it with tuna tataki like I did.
Overall, this is a very good sake.

Mitsui San
An amateur sake lover who loves anything 🇯🇵 and started exploring 🍶 drinking 5 years ago. A Kikisakeshi #唎酒師 by SSI & Certified Sake Sommelier by SSA. IG: @mitsui.sakenoob