Rikugi 六義 Honjozo 本釀造 70% Seimai Buai

Rice - Hiroshima Nakateshinsenbon 中生新千本 🌾
Prefecture - Hiroshima 広島県
Brewery - Yahatagawa Brewery 八幡川酒造
Alcohol - 19%
Color - Colorless
Aroma - 🍚, Dried Apricot, Creamy, Spices, Nori Seaweed
Taste - Medium
Umami - Medium
First impression - Lively
Body - Medium
Sweetness - Medium Dry
Tail/length - Medium
IG: @mitsui.sakenoob
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Notes - Had a chance to visit the Vinexpo 2023 located at Marina Bay Sands 1 week ago and chance upon the booth of Rikugi by @yahatakawa. Yahatagawa Brewery has been around for about 200 years and founded in 1824 and is one of the oldest sake brewery in Hiroshima. Rikugi 六義 means 6 elements which are necessary for sake brewing such as 🌾, 💧, koji, yeast, natural features and Toji’s technique. Was given a chance to try their lineup of 🍶 and was lucky enough to be given a bottle of Honjozo to bring back.

Round and full in the mouth with a spiciness of shichimi togarashi surrounding the inside of the cheeks. Lactic acid can also be felt. Medium dryness with layers of complexity and depth and ending with a bitterness from the high alcohol content. The 🍶 also changes in texture and becomes more mellow and well balanced as the temperature slowly increases to about 25c.

When enjoying such a full bodied 🍶, the first food that comes to my mind is yakitori. Imagine the creamy notes of the 🍶, pairing and complimenting the yakitori sauce on the skewers is enough to make me salivate. Another option is to go with yakiniku 🥩 as the high alcohol content of 19% will help to cleanse the palate and keep the inner mouth dry for more enjoyment of the 🥩. I actually kind of enjoyed the 🍶 when it becomes warmer towards 25c as the taste becomes more rounded.

Rikugi is made for exportation out of 🇯🇵 and they are still in the midst of sourcing for local agents. A good and full of characteristics Honjozo indeed.