Hakusan Junmai Daiginjo Sake

Volume: 0.72 litres | Alcohol content: 15% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Selected Yamada Nishiki rice and Manzairaku's in-house yeast are central to Hakusan Junmai Daiginjo. The rice comes from the highly rated Special A-A growing area in Kuchiyokawa, part of the city of Miki in Hyogo Prefecture. The sake is brewed at Mori no Ginjo Kura Hakusan. Its fruity aroma accompanies rice flavours and umami. The sake feels fresh and full-bodied, with a slight astringency.

The rice polishing ratio is 50%: half of the rice grains' original weight remains after polishing. Water flowing underground through the Tedori river system is used for brewing. This water, the selected rice and the proprietary yeast together shape the bottling's clean, smooth character.

The sake is best served at 10 to 15 °C. Alongside a traditional sake cup, a wine glass is a suitable choice, allowing its aromas to unfold. It pairs with both Japanese and Western dishes. The bottling contains 15% alcohol, and the 0.72-litre bottle comes in gift packaging. It won Gold in the Premium Daiginjo category at The Fine Sake Awards Japan 2025.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose reveals pear, honeydew melon and cherry blossom, accompanied by an aroma of rice.
• Palate: The sake feels soft, silky and delicate on the palate. Clear rice notes combine with mineral accents.
• Finish: The finish feels light and fades quickly.

Distillery/Bottler:

Manzairaku is based in Tsurugi, in the city of Hakusan, Ishikawa Prefecture. The brewery lies at the foot of the mountain of the same name, and its origins date back to the Edo period. The company behind the brand is MANZAIRAKU SAKE KURA Co.,Ltd.

Working with rice farmers is part of the brewery's approach to selecting raw materials. Its president has personal experience in agriculture and discusses cultivation with contract farmers. For the Hakusan series, the brewery visits the growing area and purchases Yamada Nishiki from the Special-A-A site. This variety's large grains have a pronounced starchy core and relatively little protein. These qualities provide a basis for a clean flavour that can still develop fullness. Elsewhere in its range, Manzairaku also uses regional rice varieties such as Ishikawamon and Hyakumangoku no Shiro.

Facts: