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Hokushika Daiginjō

Hokushika Daiginjō is made of domestic rice polished down to 50%. It is dry and characterised by an intense aroma and deep flavour.

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Sake specs

Prefecture
Akita (秋田)
Rice type
Domestic rice (国産米)
Polishing rate (semaibuai)
50%
Alcohol content
15%
SMV
+1.0
Acidity
1.3
Hokushika'Daiginjō (北鹿 大吟醸 北秋田)

Hokushika Daiginjō (北鹿 大吟醸 北秋田) is made of domestic rice polished down to 50%. Using good-quality natural water and fermented during intense cold, it is dry and characterized by a strong aroma and deep flavour. Recommended temperatures of 5-10°C. Food pairing: nabe cuisine (Kiritanpo, Yose-nabe) and Yodare-tori.

Hokushika's Daiginjō (北鹿 大吟醸 北秋田) Hokushika's Daiginjō (北鹿 大吟醸 北秋田) Hokushika's Daiginjō (北鹿 大吟醸 北秋田) Hokushika's Daiginjō (北鹿 大吟醸 北秋田)

2023 edition:

Hokushika's Daiginjō (北鹿 大吟醸 北秋田)Hokushika's Daiginjō (北鹿 大吟醸 北秋田)Hokushika's Daiginjō (北鹿 大吟醸 北秋田)Hokushika's Daiginjō (北鹿 大吟醸 北秋田)Hokushika's Daiginjō (北鹿 大吟醸 北秋田)

Hokushika Brewery

About the brewery

Brewery
Hokushika Brewery
Name in Japanese
株式会社 北鹿
Address
2-2-3 Ariura, Ōdate, Akita 017-0043
Phone
0186-42-2101
Website
Hokushika Brewery is located in Ōdate City, Akita Prefecture, at the centre of the northern grain-growing region. Ōdate is also famous as the hometown of Akita dogs and Kiritanpo, a local speciality. The grand nature of Shirakami-Sanchi and Towada-Hachimantai surrounds the city. Clean air, good water, and high-quality rice contribute to sake production. In this climate, Hokushika brews sake mainly based on the kimoto method based on the ancient traditional method and produces sake in a way unique to the region, such as storing sake under the snow.

The kimoto method is a traditional method of producing sake using natural lactic acid bacteria and has been used since the Edo Period. Yama-oroshi, to bray rice with a rod, is typical for kimoto-based sake production and used to be hard work for the brewers. In the Akita-style kimoto sake production, stirring equipment is used instead of rods to bray rice to reduce labour without degrading the quality of the sake. It results in a uniquely mellow and rich taste.

Hokushika stores its sake under snow at the shore of Lake Towada. This method is derived from the traditional method of burying vegetables in snow for storage. Thereby, vegetables remain fresh and increase their sweetness and umami taste. Applying the same method to sake, Hokushika started storing sake under snow in 1990. Snow storing keeps the temperature constant at 0°C and develops an ideal environment for sake, unaffected by the ambient air temperature and resulting in less sharp and mild sake that retains its freshness.

In 1944, the Japanese government merged several production facilities and created Hokushika Shurui Seizou Co., Ltd., a holding company consisting of 21 enterprises and eight breweries located in Kitaakita-gun (北秋田郡) and Kazuno-gun (鹿角郡). In 1971, a bottling factory was built at the headquarters in Ōdate City, and in 1986, Hokushika Brewery joined Sekaitaka Koyamaya Group.

Latest reviews

Colour / hue
Pale Yellow
Clarity
Clear
We revisited Hokushika's Daiginjo to reconfirm last year's raving review. :)

The "First Affordable Daiginjō" still deserves accolades with its elegant sweet nose and its apple and pear-like fruity ginjō fragrance. Relatively light and smooth, it has a refreshing aftertaste and a short spicy finish.

Hokushika's Daiginjō (北鹿 大吟醸 北秋田)
Colour / hue
Pale Yellow
Clarity
Clear
When Hokushika launched its Daiginjo in 2002, it was marketed as a reasonably priced premium sake, a move that was met with severe criticism from other brewers and scepticism from consumers. The risk Hokushika took by releasing a "cheap daiginjo" has paid off. It is one of the most popular premium sake and is sold in most convenience stores. Each bottle is wrapped in a thin cloth of non-woven fabric blocking ultraviolet rays, the natural enemy of sake.

It comes with a fruity nose of pears, muscat grapes and refreshing citric notes. We found it overwhelmingly delicious! It has an elegant flavour, with just the right amount of sweet and a smooth finish with a spicy tingle.

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Table of contents

sake information

Category
Daiginjō
Added by
JREF
Views
849
Watchers
1
Reviews
2
Last update
Rating
4.00 star(s) 2 ratings
Location
〒017-0043 秋田県大館市有浦2丁目2番3号

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