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A sweet nose with hints of ripe fruit, chocolate, and light lactic notes. The palate opens mild and elegant, with a medium body and silky texture. An initial sweetness gradually gives way to refreshing acidity and gentle bitterness, while a pleasant umami runs through the centre. The overall impression is slightly dry. The finish is short and clean, leaving a soft and refined impression overall.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: ripe fruits, sweet (chocolate), lactic
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium
Alcohol: medium
Body: medium
Flavour intensity: medium
Flavour characteristics: ripe fruits
Finish: clean, short
Quality level: very good

A fruity nose with pronounced notes of grape, melon, and white peach, alongside hints of fresh grass and a gentle sweetness. The palate reveals a creamy texture and a full body, leading into a rich, rounded mouthfeel. The sweetness is balanced by noticeable bitterness and light acidity. Rich umami is present throughout, together with faint lactic notes typical of namagenshu. The finish is clean and medium-length, leaving a refreshing bitter-sour aftertaste.

Tasting sake like this is a reminder of how many excellent jizake breweries remain relatively unknown outside specialist circles. Exploring smaller regional producers often reveals styles and flavours quite different from the better-known major brands.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium+
Aroma: fruity (grapes, melons, white peach), fresh grass
Sweetness: slightly sweet
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium+
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: grapes, melons, white peach
Finish: clean, medium
Quality level: very good

Pronounced aromas of green apple, banana, and grape, alongside a noticeable alcoholic spice on the nose. The palate opens robust and sharp, with a full body and silky texture. An initial fruity, creamy sweetness quickly gives way to strong astringency and acidity. The finish is long and clean. When served chilled, the sake shows a firmer and sharper profile. As it approaches room temperature, it becomes noticeably smoother, with the banana-like character coming forward more clearly. As an undiluted sake, it carries considerable weight and intensity.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium+
Aroma: fruity (green apples, banana, grapes), spicy
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium+
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: green apples, banana, grapes
Finish: clean, long
Quality level: very good

A slightly fruity nose, more restrained than expected, with notes of green apple, pear, and a hint of citrus. The palate is smooth and well-rounded, with a full body and a velvety texture. It is clearly in Tamagawa's style, though more refined and polished than many of the brewery's fuller-bodied releases. The texture is soft and enveloping, with a balanced mix of gentle sweetness, richness, citric acidity, and pronounced umami. The finish is clean and of medium length, with a light citrus edge. Over the following days after opening, the body and texture remain consistent. The creamy character stays intact, with a slight increase in citric acidity.

This bottle, and particularly the ishobin, comes at a price that does not make it an everyday indulgence, but it's well worth it for that special occasion. In our case, it was the celebration of Golden Week.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: fruity (green apples, pears), citric
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium+
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: green apples, pears, citric
Finish: clean, crisp, medium
Quality level: excellent

A fruity nose with notes of muscat grapes and banana, alongside light hints of chocolate and cocoa. The palate opens smooth and slightly viscous, with a full body and a creamy texture. There is a clear initial fruit-driven sweetness, balanced by gentle acidity and a pronounced umami. The flavours are rich and rounded, with a clean, dry edge providing contrast. The finish is long and crisp, with a light, sour tingle. Brilliant!

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium+
Aroma: fruity (muscat grapes, bananas), sweet, rice
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium+
Alcohol: medium+
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: muscat grapes, bananas, chocolate, rice
Finish: clean, crisp, long
Quality level: excellent

A gentle, slightly sweet nose with fruity notes and a light hint of spice. The palate is smooth and soft, with a medium body and a silky, faintly milky texture from the lees. It opens fresh, with a mild sweetness that shifts into a touch of citric acidity. The mouthfeel remains light and clean, though the youthful character shows in a slight astringency and a faint bitterness, giving a drier impression overall. The finish is short and crisp, with a light, bitter edge: a fresh, youthful sake!

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: fruity (apples, muscat grapes, lychees), sweet, spices
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium
Alcohol: medium
Body: medium
Flavour intensity: medium
Flavour characteristics: apple, muscat grapes, lychees
Finish: clean, crisp, short
Quality level: very good

The nose is sweet and fruity, with notes of strawberry and banana. On the first sip, a gentle aroma emerges, reminiscent of strawberry and melon. This is followed by the soft, rounded umami typical of unfiltered sake, while a layer of citric acidity from the kimoto component gradually tightens the finish. The profile is sweet but not heavy, and gentle yet clearly defined. This balance is what defines the No. 5 Origarami. The flavour comes from a blend of brewing methods. The quick-fermentation mash gives it a bright, strawberry-like note, while the kimoto element adds a touch of acidity and structure. Together, they produce a sake with a full aroma, a steady sweetness, and a clean finish. The lower part of the bottle contains fine lees, so the last pours appear lightly cloudy.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium
Aroma: fruity (strawberry, banana, melons), rice
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium+
Alcohol: medium
Body: medium+
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: strawberry, banana, melons, rice
Finish: clean, crisp, medium
Quality level: very good

A sweet, fruity nose with notes of melon, banana, apple and apricot, with light hints of cream and caramel. Soft and gentle on entry, with slight natural effervescence. The initial sweetness is balanced by fresh acidity and a clear umami presence. The finish is long and crisp, ending with a light, tangy edge.

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Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean, medium+
Aroma: fruity (melons, banana, apples and apricots)
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium
Alcohol: medium
Body: medium+
Flavour intensity: medium+
Flavour characteristics: pears, green apples
Finish: clean, crisp, medium
Quality level: very good