Mitobe Yamagata Masamune Junmai Ginjō Inazō

Mitobe Yamagata Masamune Junmai Ginjō Inazō (山形正宗 純米吟醸 稲造) is a masterpiece of Mitobe's Yamagata Masamune brand. It bears the name Inazō (稲造), a nickname from when the current owner was young. This sake uses No.14 Association "Kanazawa" yeast. It is a new type of citrus-based Junmai sake with a moderate ginjō aroma, a scent reminiscent of muscat, and low acidity. The taste is exquisite, with rice flavour in the soothing acidity and the aftertaste remaining in the sharpness of Yamagata Masamune. The sake has a vintage depending on the year the rice was harvested and processed: 2022 Yamandanishiki rice was used.

Mitobe Shuzō, located in Tendo, Yamagata Prefecture, was founded in 1898. In 2004, Mitobe began cultivating Yamadanishiki in Haramachi, Tendo. The brewery also cultivates Dewa33, Kamenoo, and Omachi. Since many of their rice varieties are grown locally, the brewery refers to it as a "quasi terroir". In the future, Mitobe plans to expand its rice cultivation overseas, which could overtake Japan in terms of quality. As sake becomes more popular worldwide, it will likely be brewed worldwide.