Classifications
Junmai • Pure Rice Sake
Muroka • No charcoal filtration
Nama • Unpasteurised
Genshu • Undiluted
Specifications
Rice: Awa-Yamada Nishiki
Yeast: #9
Alcohol: 18%
Polish rate: 65%
Format: 720ml, 1.8L
Chochin Shuzo originally wrapped their bottles in the local Chunichi Shinbun newspaper because printing a label was too expensive. It became iconic and has now been much copied.
The brewery occupies a large space but produces a minuscule amount of sake because brewer Masayuki Kuwayama is a perfectionist who does every step of the process in the most laborious, hands-on manner.
The sake is made with water from a well inside the brewery, which unusually for Japan has a high mineral content. This contributes to sakes that have firm acidic spine with great ageing potential. In this bottle is a dry, muscular sake with layers of complexity.