Nanbu Bijin Tokubetsu Junmai

Nanbu Bijin Tokubetsu Junmai from Iwate Prefecture. A new label, and strictly by the numbers, appears to be the same sake, with an additional detail: Gin Otome rice, semaibuai 55%, SMV +5, acidity 1.5, amino acidity 1.1, #9 yeast, and 15.5% abv. But, it seems both a little more forward and a little lighter than last year's bottling. Same nose of Yubari melon, white flowers, and rice husks. On the palate, medium body, a little less round, but still with light sweetness. Melon, cucumber, and pear, similar late acidity and bitterness, a touch of rice husk on the finish, and overall, the alcohol seems better integrated. Subtle difference perhaps, but for me an even more pleasurable drop.

Since this is, after all, tokubetsu junmai, it stands to reason that one should not expect consistency year upon year. I'd be very interested to know what the comparator was.