Nihonjo Junmai [1 Koku - 23]

From Wakayama Prefecture's Hideo Shonten Shuzo. According to the brewery, not only is this brewed "cold", but in the dark as well. Yamada Nishiki milled to 50%, SMV +2, acidity 1.3, and 16.3% abv. I found the nose to be light and simple, mostly of sweet steamed rice. Smooth and creamy on the palate, mildly sweet entry, soft with a flash of peppery acidity on the mid-palate, just enough to capture interest, before fading to a slightly minty, tangy springwater finish. Not needlessly complex, tasty, and eminently sessionable. Evaporating quickly.

And should it have evaporated while visiting the kura in Iwade City, you can make a short trip and visit Tama, the feline "Super Stationmaster" of Kishi Station in Kinokawa:


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Allegedly, Tama, in her role as "Operating Officer" for Wakayama Electric Railways, is the only female in a managerial position at the company. R. wanted to go and visit said Station Master on our last visit to Japan together, but cooler heads prevailed.