While a sake degree of -10 suggests distinctive sweetness, the Koshino Happo Echigo Amakuchi Junmai is not amazake. It is not overwhelmingly sweet. It has a fruity nose reminiscent of strawberries and a sweet, subdued mouthfeel that evolves gently into cherry-like sourness with marked alcoholic overtones. We enjoyed it even more at room temperature when it loses much of its acidity and becomes very palatable with layers of green and a pleasantly spicy finish.