This was our first encounter with Hayashi Honten's delicate brews. The brewery is run by one of the few female toji in Japan, Hayashi Reiko, the fifth generation at the helm of the brewery. Their Muroka Namagenshu presents a sweet nose with distinct fruity aromas of pear, apple, and white peach, complemented by subtle sweet notes, followed by an elegant and deep entry with a light body and a delicate texture. The initial taste is characterised by pronounced acidity, followed by a balanced interplay of moderate sweetness, umami, and refreshing bitterness. The overall mouthfeel is reminiscent of biting into a scrumptious cake. The finish is long, mineral-driven, and crisp, providing a clean and satisfying conclusion.
We were very tempted to give them five stars and can't wait to sample more of Hayashi Honten's sake.
Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: medium+
Aroma: fruity (pear, apple, white peach, loquat), sweet
Sweetness: medium-dry
Acidity: medium+
Umami: medium
Alcohol: medium
Body: light
Flavour intensity: medium
Flavour characteristics: sweet, slightly dry
Texture: standard
Finish: minerals, crisp
Quality level: very good
We were very tempted to give them five stars and can't wait to sample more of Hayashi Honten's sake.
Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: medium+
Aroma: fruity (pear, apple, white peach, loquat), sweet
Sweetness: medium-dry
Acidity: medium+
Umami: medium
Alcohol: medium
Body: light
Flavour intensity: medium
Flavour characteristics: sweet, slightly dry
Texture: standard
Finish: minerals, crisp
Quality level: very good