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Momokawa Oirase Junmai Ginjō

Momokawa Oirase Junmai Ginjō is a mild sake slowly brewed at a low temperature.
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Sake specs

Prefecture
Aomori (青森)
Rice type
Yamada Nishiki (山田錦)
Polishing rate (semaibuai)
60%
Alcohol content
15-16%
SMV
+3
Acidity
1.4
Amino acid level
1.7
Momokawa describes its Oirase Junmai Ginjō (桃川 おいらせ流純米吟醸) as a mellow sake, produced through slow, low-temperature brewing and slow fermentation. It uses local rice from Aomori Prefecture and water from the Oirase River.





2025 edition

About the brewery

Brewery
Momokawa Brewery
Name in Japanese
桃川
Address
112 Kamiakedo, Oirase, Kamikita, Aomori Prefecture 〒039-2293
Phone
0178-52-2241
Website
Online store
Momokawa Brewery is located between the Hachinohe and Misawa in Kamiakedo, Kamikita District, in Aomori Prefecture. The history of Momokawa starts at the end of the Edo period (1603-1867) when the influential Miura (三浦) family, owners of 100 koku, started to produce sake using the pure water of the Oirase River. In 1889, Murai Kuramatsu (村井倉松), a resident of Hachinohe, acquired the brewery and set up the Murai Sake Brewery, calling his sake "Momokawa". In 1944, following wartime legislation, Momokawa merged with other breweries in Shimakita and Kamikita districts, establishing Nikita Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (二北酒造株式会社). At the end of World War II, only five of the 13 brewing facilities merged under Momokawa survived. In 1984, those four factories were split from Nikita Brewery, which was renamed Momokawa Brewing Co., Ltd. (桃川株式会社), a name it has been using to the present day. The company is still in the hands of the Murai family. In 1996, Momogawa started production in Portland, Oregon, under the Japan-America Beverage Company (JABC). Momokawa has won countless international and domestic awards and honours.

Momokawa's premier brands are Nebuta, Sugidama, and Momokawa.

Latest reviews

Colour / hue
Pale Yellow
Clarity
Clear
Subtle nose of steamed rice and strong lactic elements, which were more pronounced than last time. Gentle and almost creamy entry, full-bodied and soft and savoury on the palate, with earthy tones, mild acidity, and a gentle sweetness from the rice. Smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Finishes clean and short, leaving a lingering hint of rice aroma.

For the third time, Oirase, Momokawa's classic Junmai Ginjō, is just getting better.




Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean and medium
Aroma: rice, cereal, lactic
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium+
Alcohol: medium
Body: medium
Flavour intensity: medium
Flavour characteristics: rice, cereal, lactic
Texture: creamy
Finish: short, clean
Quality level: very good
Upvote 0
Colour / hue
Pale Yellow
Clarity
Clear
Since we last tried it in 2021, Momokawa's Oiraseryu got a complete makeover. Some of the specs have also changed: SMV +2.0, acidity 1.4.

Subtle nose carrying the scent of steamed rice. Soft and savoury on the palate, with earthy tones, mild acidity, and a gentle sweetness from the rice. Smooth, velvety mouthfeel. Finishes clean and short, leaving a lingering hint of rice aroma.




Appearance: clear and lemon-green
Nose: clean and medium
Aroma: rice, cereal
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium+
Alcohol: medium
Body: medium
Flavour intensity: medium
Flavour characteristics: rice, cereal
Texture: standard
Finish: short, clean
Quality level: very good
Upvote 0
Colour / hue
Pale Yellow
Clarity
Clear
Slightly dry, full-bodied and rich. Well-balanced, goes well with rich dishes. Consume chilled or at room temperature. We had it chilled.
Upvote 0

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