Kan Nihonkai Tokubetsu Junmai [1 Koku - 5]

Kan Nihonkai from Shimane Prefecture has, for the moment, an unusual website setup, in that it provides virtually no information pertaining to its sake brewing activities. Instead, what content is there is related to some persimmon infused beverages. Odd? Well, this tokubetsu junmai is brewed with yeast #10, from gohyakumangoku milled to 60%, SMV +4, acidity 1.5, and 15.5% abv. The nose is medium-full, green apple and roasted rice, along with some savoury notes. Medium bodied, with early acidity, a soft, short mid and a dry, lightly persistent finish. Rich and earthy, with nutty sour/umami notes giving way to sweet yet bitter herbal character. Palatable both chilled and room temperature (which, these days, is close to atsukan), it is certainly more challenging at the latter, with the darker elements more pronounced. Haven't made my mind up on this one, but one thing is for certain, the house style here seems to trend toward sweet/sour.