Keigetsu Aikawa-Homare Junmai Yamahai

Clear, very faint yellowish appearance (almost colourless) with high viscosity. Nose: Apple, pear, melon, fresh cream, sea-salt, fresh wood shavings Palate: Apple, pear, melon, banana, fresh cream, fresh wood shavings, white pepper, dark chocolate. Body: Medium (-) Alcohol: Medium. Umami: Medium. Acidity: Medium (-). Personal opinion: Some intensity of aroma and complexity were observed. Ginjo-ka were evident on both the note and palate (more muted on the palate). On the palate, additional spice notes notes were observed as well, though they manifest more evidently as aftertaste. Some lactic and woody-notes were also observed, though they tend to be covered by the other more predominant flavours. Sake has a medium body (smooth and light texture) and is slightly dry. Astringency was definitely present in the sake too. Some attack was felt, and it has a slightly long finish which started off as peppery-chocolate(ty) notes and gradually fades away, leaving behind the subtle wood-shaving notes. For a Yamahai, this is rather refined and slightly more elegant, probably due to the higher polishing ratio. With the slight astringency, spicy notes and the umami, it might actually goes well with grilled meat such as chicken. I also tried this with some Japanese Kimchi (for experimental sake), and it really amplify the flavours (and of course, the spiciness). I was rather surprised that the Ginjo-ka is the more prevalent notes, rather than the lactic and more gamey notes (since this is a Yamahai).

Yamahai. Smooth. Very slight sourness.

Good