Hijiri Shuzo, Gunma
Reviewed in H1 2024

The hardest bottle I've ever had to open
TOCKY's report
Numata's report
Nomin Geijutsu Gairon 2019
92
Close · 4 of 5 axes match
Senkin Issei
89
Close · all 5 axes match
Hakurakusei Ultimate Junmai Daiginjo
88
Close · 4 of 5 axes match
Tenbi Akaiwa Omachi
87
Close · 4 of 5 axes match
Among the closest shapes (at most one axis off by one step), ordered by score. Re-reviews of the same sake are excluded and each brewery appears once. Where fewer than four qualify, the next closest shapes fill the gap.
Here's a fearsome sparkling sake, rumoured to be a generic Amagaeru. Rice polished to competition-entry-sake level is used lavishly for the extravagant purpose of finishing it as a low-alcohol sake at just 5% ABV. Pressing the shubo (yeast starter mash) gives it violent carbonation, evoking an enraged Amagaeru. An aroma of fully ripened fruit like banana and pineapple. A cidre-like intense acidity and a cool sweetness, with a pleasant, crackling fizz.