Suijin Junmai "O Karakuchi" [1 Koku - 96]

From Asabiraki in Iwate Prefecture. Semaibuai 70%, SMV +10, acidity 1.5, amino acid 1.4, 17% abv. Suijin translates as "water god". Very interesting numbers. High alcohol for a junmai, karakuchi indicates that this is a very dry sake, and the modifier "O" means that it is "very" karakuchi. SMV is +10 and acidity is 1.5, so this all makes sense, though the higher alcohol content and amino acid level suggests this could be a rather forceful sake.

And it certainly is. Earthy/mushroom broth nose, on the palate, this is big. Interesting for a sake to be both rich and dry, very very dry, almost flavourless entry, starchy and biting on the mid palate, cleansing on the exit, though the alcohol peeks out briefly. Overall, the residual starchiness is rather pleasant. It is strong though. We will have to pace ourselves on this.