COUNTRY :
Japan
REGION :
Nara
PRODUCTION :
Hashimoto Teruaki
Fourth-generation kuramoto Hashimoto Teruaki became the tōji at Miyoshino Jōzō in 2008, and has since turned it into one of Japan’s most innovative and creative breweries. Hashimoto sees sake brewing as part of the local agriculture, working closely with nearby farmers and adjusting his sake to the rice they grow, not the other way around, as it is in most breweries. Brewing methods are very creative and rely entirely on natural yeast, with an ethos of “helping” nature do its work. The resulting sake is full-bodied, layered, rich in umami and acidity.

“Hanatomoe Mizumoto”
Region: Nara
Rice Variety: Gin no Sato
Type: mizumoto junmai namagenshu
Polishing Rate: 70%
ABV: 16%
Ingredients: rice, water, yeast, kōji
Brewing: mizumoto, unpasteurized, undiluted, unfiltered
Serving Temperature: lightly chilled

“Tarumaru”
Region: Nara
Rice Variety: Gin no Sato, Gohyakumangoku, Hitogokochi
Type: junmai taruzake (cask sake)
Polishing Rate: 70%
ABV: 15%
Ingredients: rice, water, yeast, kōji
Brewing: yamahai slow ferment, 7 day storage in cedar casks before bottling
Serving Temperature: room temperature to lightly warmed

“Hanatomoe Usunigori”
Region: Nara
Rice Variety: Gin no Sato, Gohyakumangoku, Hitogokochi
Type: usunigori, junmai namagenshu
Polishing Rate: 60%
ABV: 17%
Ingredients: rice, water, yeast, kōji
Brewing: yamahai slow ferment, unpasteurized, undiluted, unfiltered
Serving Temperature: lightly chilled to lightly warmed