Emishiki Sensation Gold Label Namazake

Emishiki Sensation Gold Label Namazake (笑四季 センセーション金ラベル生酒) is a limited edition sake that surpasses the regular "Sensation" series by Emishiki, boasting a higher grade and unique characteristics. Crafted using Ginfubuki rice, it uses a hybrid yeast derived from the intensely spicy No. 9 and No. 10 yeast varieties, known for their firm acidity. The taste features a delightful combination of light mango and melon notes with a moderately dense fruit flavour. The acidity, more pronounced than in previous years, enhances the rounded sweetness and umami. A new brewing technique, "Yoshiki Namamoto", elevates the taste experience.

The gold label represents the Yellow Dragon, the principal of the four mythical dragons protecting the four heavenly directions and, in Japan, sometimes associated with Ōryū (応竜). Its brilliant gold colour carries a special meaning, making it a perfect choice for special occasions.

Emishiki Brewery in Koga, Shiga Prefecture, was founded in 1892 under the name Takeshima Honke (竹島本家) by Takeshima Eizaburo (竹島栄三郎), in the centre of the former Tōkaidō Minakuchi-shuku. The company's trademark, "Emishiki'' (笑四季), was named by Takeshima Senjirō (竹島仙治郎), the second-generation owner. The husband of the brewery's heiress developed new product lines from his induction, pushing the name "Emishiki" to the national stage. The brewery is attracting attention among local sake fans and the industry as an up-and-coming sake brewery producing new and unconventional sake.

The brewery is involved in preserving the characteristics of the Shiga Watafune No. 2 (Short-stalked Watafune) rice variety, an isolated strain from Ōmachi, and cultivating its seeds. The water used is the brewery's No. 2 well, "Kurashimizu" (蔵清水, well depth 5 m, hardness 55 mg/L), considered to be underground water from the Suzuka mountain range, and "Iwama-yama Iwaburosui" (岩間山岩深水, hardness 10 mg/L, spring water volume 80 L/min) from the former Nagaishi mine in Hirazu Nishiyama, Ōtsu, which has low hardness and few impurities.