Hananomai Junmai Ginjo [1 Koku- 54]

Hananomai Junmai Ginjo from Shizuoka Prefecture. Gohyakumangoku rice, SMV +7, 15.5% abv. I saw an interesting story about the toji, who seems to have been an avid surfer in his youth.

Rich aroma, husky (rice husk, not plus sizes for children), plantain, a little floral, musky even. Rich flavour, very bright...actually a curious thing... there are seemingly two separate flavour streams - one, the base note, is earthy, sweet and full. At the same time, but unintegrated, is a bright, sour top note. Both come together at the end in a clean, watermelon and bitter rind finish that just lingers.

The choice of glass makes a big difference - tried with a big bowled/small mouthed wine glass, and it seems to concentrate the nose too much, giving an almost pungent, rotting tone that disappears in a more open cup. Interesting stuff - Shizuoka sake is supposedly famous for simple, clean, and light tasting sake, due in part to the waters that originate on Mt. Fuji. This seems to be a bit of an eccentric then, but I like it well enough.